East County Observer 7.28.22

EAST COUNTY

Nothing sneaky about charity

Observer

Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998

PAGE 2B

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

FREE • THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

VOLUME 24, NO. 36

YOUR TOWN

Roads struggle to keep pace FDOT project manager says local growth will lead to more roadwork. SEE PAGE 3A

Ian Swaby

Magical morning for mom at UTC A mom enjoying a stage show July 21 at The Mall at UTC suddenly became part of the Summer Fun Club’s magic show.

River Club’s Susan Traver was surprised when she was invited on the stage with her 5-year-old son Blake and 7-year-old daughter Penny Traver. Apollo Beach-based performer Eddie Steiner (above with Susan Traver) then made her wedding ring vanish, before he produced a burst of multicolored handkerchiefs, and revealed the ring inside.

“I was scared he was not going to get it back,” Penny Traver said.

“He did a good job,” said Susan Traver, whose husband is Aaron Traver. “He had me stumped. I think I had a good time.”

The siblings were attending the show with their friend, 7-year-old Colette Petty, and her mother, Melanie Hayes.

THIS SHEEP COUNTS Ivory makes her impact by spreading joy to the homeless and homebound seniors.

SEE PAGE 8A

Jay Heater

Ivory the therapy sheep arrives in a van to visit The Sheridan senior and assisted living center in Lakewood Ranch.

Ian Swaby

Music lessons to pull heartstrings While there are no strings attached with this Lakewood Ranch club, a group of musicians in Aloha Ukulele were practicing hard for an Aug. 25 recital at the Grand Living, a senior living and assisted living facility.

“It’s a fun instrument,” River Strand’s Sue Brady said. “If you’re not musically inclined, you can still play and enjoy it.

You don’t have to be perfect.

It’s a fun sound. It’s a beautiful environment, you meet lots of great new people, and it stimulates your mind.”

Harmony’s Alice Bauman, an organizer of the group, said Aloha Ukulele started playing in 2021 in James L. Patton Park, but the weather grew too hot. Due to the help of Keith Pandeloglou and Chris McComas of Lakewood Ranch Community Activities, they were able to find their current spot at Town Hall North.

A+E

A boat of note Benderson Park paddlers strike gold at major event.

SEE PAGE 8B

Photo courtesy Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy

The Nathan Benderson Park Dragons Senior B Mixed team (men and women) won the 500 meters Short Boat Division to earn a gold medal at the Club Crew World Championships in Sarasota.

Petal power.

SEE PAGE 11A

2A

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

Aquarium construction goes skyward The unique nature of the new $130 million Mote aquarium will require an extraordinary construction process, which begins to go vertical in August.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

U

ntil last week, the Mote Science Education Aquarium has been a dream in the making for about four years.

With last week’s sale of 11.76 acres near Nathan Benderson Park by Sarasota County to the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, things are getting real.

Not that there was much doubt the Mote SEA would be built. A 2018 omnibus agreement with the county allowed Mote to begin developing the site in preparation for vertical construction. As of October 2021, Mote had raised $90 million toward its capital campaign goal of $110 million for the $130 million facility. The county previously had committed the last $20 million — revenue from tourist taxes — toward the development costs.

The site is largely cleared and the parking lot essentially completed. A portion of the parking lot is already open to public use for the adjacent park, the rest reserved for construction staging.

Construction, said Mote Vice President Dan Bebak, should start within weeks.

“We are on schedule to start the piling work, which is really the first phase of the vertical work, in midAugust,” Bebak said. “We’re looking at opening in 2024.”

The nearly 12 acres just a few hundred yards from Interstate 75 was previously donated to Sarasota County by Benderson Development — developer of UTC Town Center — for use as a park. The county conveyed the property to Mote for a

Andrew Warfield

The 11.76-acre Mote SEA site is set against the backdrop of Nathan Benderson Park. The $130 million aquarium will begin vertical construction in August with completion expected in 2024.

Courtesy of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium

The new Mote SEA will have high visibility by some 52 million vehicles per year on I-75.

symbolic price of $100. Now with the property under its ownership, Mote has submitted for final permit review with the county.

Bebak said he expects construction to go as scheduled, having gotten ahead of supply chain issues by pre-ordering materials, some of them unique to building an aquarium.

.com e s u o

areh W e r itu

$90 MILLION AND COUNTING

Such an ambitious project requires a successful capital campaign.

Michael Moore, Mote special adviser to the office of the president, is leading the charge to raise the $110 million required by the county to kick in the last $20 million. Last October, Mote reported it had reached the $90 million milestone, with another announcement planned this fall.

Moore, who has four decades of capital campaign experience, indicated substantial fundraising success since last fall’s announcement, opting not to piecemeal updates as donations come in. News of last week’s closing on the site, he said, has accelerated the pace of contributions as donors see tangible evidence of progress.

“This kind of money has never been raised for one single project in this region.” Moore said. “The base is accelerating with prospective donors as they see the project starting to materialize. When it comes out of the ground in a few months, we know that’s going to help us work toward the goal. We continue to gain momentum. We’ve had nothing but a positive outlook for the future with this effort and the community has responded in kind.”

Even when the $110 million goal has been reached, Moore said fundraising will continue.

“You always have the additional needs, and if it gets us another $3 million to $5 million beyond the goal, we’ll keep raising money as long as there’s interest,” he said. “I always say as long as you have prospects, keep raising money because everybody’s going to want to be a part of it.”

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Despite the bargain price of the site, Mote SEA will enjoy the advantages of a prime location. Just a few of hundred feet from I-75 at the University Parkway exit that leads to Lakewood Ranch to the east and the Mall at University Town Center and Nathan Benderson Park to the west, the unique structure will have high visibility to an estimated 52 million vehicles a year.

Mote SEA will be accessible from both the University Parkway and Fruitville Road exits, in stark contrast to the aquarium’s current location on City Island between Lido and Longboat keys. There, it still managed to draw some 350,000 visitors a year.

“There’s a lot of synergy between all of this,” Bebak said. “Benderson Development has been a great partner and (the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy) has been a great partner. We meet regularly on scheduling so that we’re not stepping on each other during construction, and also planning what what the future holds.”

What it holds, Bebak said, is a destination location between activities at NBP, shopping and dining at UTC, the recently opened Pop Stroke miniature golf center, and visitors and special events at Mote SEA. “That area is becoming a draw in itself,” Bebak said. “You’re going to see more out there — more development, more things for people to do, hotels and so on, so we’re very happy to be kind of in the center of that to benefit residents and visitors alike.”

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As opposed to developing an office

or other commercial building, the Mote SEA will have massive tanks and marine life exhibits on each of its three levels.

“You’re kind of almost building the building from inside out,” Bebak said. “Some of the first work that you’ll see after the pilings will be the big tanks — the Gulf of Mexico tank and some of the other ones — and the building gets built around those.

“The building is three stories, which is kind of unique for aquariums. It’s made for some of the engineering challenges because we’ll have manatees up on the third floor, so it’s going to be a very strong building. We are going to have to move all these animals into the building and then load them in. You don’t want to make a building where you can’t roll sharks down a hallway.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

The $74.5 million improvement project at the I-75/University Parkway interchange included the use of an Acrow temporary bridge.

File photos

Growth outpaces road improvements After spending $196.2 million on East County interchange improvements, FDOT says more work might be needed.

“The amount of people moving to Florida is staggering. It has always been pretty high, but it has not been what you are seeing today.”

— Kati Sherrard, FDOT Interstate Program Manager

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

S

ince August 2015, motorists have navigated construction as the Florida Department of Transportation worked to improve roadway conditions at three major projects on East County roads.

The $196.2 million in improvements at three interchanges with Interstate 75 — State Road 64, S.R. 70, and University Parkway — are now complete and FDOT Interstate Program Manager Kati Sherrard said motorists are enjoying the results.

But Sherrard said those efforts aren’t likely to completely alleviate traffic woes destined to be caused by unprecedented growth.

She said projects such as these interchanges, which involve a diverging diamond that replaced the clover interchange at University Parkway, a modified diamond that replaced the previous diamond interchange at State Road 70, and a northwest loop-only interchange that replaced the previous diamond interchange at State Road 64, do not receive studies until, at minimum, a year after completion.

However, she said when analysis begins late this year or next year, it is likely other changes will be needed.

GROWING TOO FAST

Sherrard said all three projects are functioning well and as intended, but users already have encountered some issues that are the result of growth outpacing plans.

“The amount of people moving to Florida is staggering,” she said.

“It has always been pretty high, but it has not been what you are seeing today.”

Sherrard said studies are not conducted immediately due to the changes to traffic patterns caused by construction. She said drivers might begin taking different routes to avoid an area that is under construction. Therefore, the FDOT will wait for drivers to become used to the changes in area, and begin realizing that they can once again travel certain routes.

“We want to make sure when we are doing analysis, that the data we’re using is accurate, that it’s the best data we can get, and that’s why we like to allow a period of time for the areas to normalize,” she said.

Nonetheless, FDOT Communications Specialist Adam Rose said all crashes that take place in those intersections are being documented and would initiate a study if observed in unusually large numbers.

That hasn’t been needed, but will more construction be required in a

FDOT works on constructing a bridge as part of the $80.7 million improvement project at the S.R. 70/I-75 interchange.

EAST COUNTY INTERCHANGE PROJECTS STATE ROAD 70 AND I-75 Replaced existing partial cloverleaf with a modified diamond containing a single loop in the northwest quadrant. Replaced entrance and exit ramps and added emergency stopping sites.

Expanded I-75 to an eight-lane highway from University Parkway to State Road 64.

Completed: 2021 Cost: $80.7 million STATE ROAD 64 AND I-75 Replaced partial cloverleaf with a modified diamond interchange design. Widened bridges and exit ramps and added emergency stopping sites. Widened S.R. 64

still growing area that has seen constant work for seven years?

Funding is likely to keep that from happening anytime soon.

“Statewide, generally speaking — not just for this area — the need versus the ability to construct, and meet all of the needs today is very difficult,” Sherrard said.

She said funding simply can’t keep up with the growth and the need for better highways. It has led to a rigorous process to select the best projects to implement. She said projects are slated for the future based on analysis that takes into account safety concerns, cost and public benefit. She called the process of working with local governments on these projects “very complex.”

Most projects like these, she said, come as a request from the local metropolitan planning organization such as Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization.

These organizations are composed of county and city representatives at the local level, who form regular lists of priorities. Working with

from east of 64th Street Court East to west of Grand Harbour Parkway.

Completed: 2019 Cost: $41 million UNIVERSITY PARKWAY AND I-75 Replaced cloverleaf with divering diamond. Widened University Parkway from Cattlemen Road to Market Street. Added auxiliary lanes, for travelling from one exit to the next, on I-75. Realigned the on and off ramps. Added emergency stopping sites.

Completed: 2017 Cost: $74.5 million

these organizations, FDOT will then develop an outline for future projects known as a Long Range Transportation Plan, a plan which she called “a very detailed, very in-depth process that takes several years to complete.”

Sherrard said the plan will involve data on all known planned developments recognized by the county in an area, to update traffic models the FDOT uses to assess conditions.

She said during work on a major road project, the FDOT will also conduct an interim update to its plans, incorporating any new developments in the area.

However, she said the FDOT also takes into account other factors such as future traffic patterns, or what is called “traffic demand,” and the growth rate of the area.

All projects must ultimately be approved at the local level, she said.

PREDICTING FUTURE

Sherrard said at this point, it is difficult to foresee what types of developments the future holds for University Parkway and the Lakewood

Ranch area.

“It’s trying to predict the future,” she said.

However, she said alternative modes of transportation are an important means of lowering congestion. She said as congestion is based on the number of vehicles using a roadway at any particular time, the key to improving projects is to create easier access.

“You can’t strictly base it on that if you build the road, it will solve the problem,” she said.

According to Sherrard, local means of improving traffic flow include establishing alternative routes and providing easier access through developing areas.

She said when it comes to the State Road 70 and State Road 64 interchanges, FDOT has focused on relieving congestion through a future buildout of I-75. Current FDOT initiatives in the East County area of I-75 include the expansion at the Manatee River, which would add four bridge lanes in the area, while also expanding I-75 on the south — or East County — side of the river.

Rose previously said I-75 is an “artery” for the state of Florida.

“It’s an incredibly popular roadway, so making it less congested is an important consideration for us.”

Sherrard said the interchange at University Parkway is beyond the point where additions could be made. She said the development surrounding the interchange is too well-established, and also that it is not always financially feasible to purchase additional land to expand interchanges.

Sherrard said in the face of congestion, it is also up to local governments to do what they can to improve the flow, through actions such as signal timing adjustments that take into account approaches from different directions.

Although it appears more traffic difficulties are on the way due to growth, Sherrard emphasizes the improvements have made a huge positive difference.

“There is still congestion during the peak hours, for sure,” she said.

“But you can, visually, see the traffic flow has significantly improved.”

Rose said that despite user concerns about diverging diamonds, like the one at the University Parkway interchange, they enhance safety in the areas in which they are installed.

He said such projects limit the area in which head-on collisions can occur by reducing many of the possible points of impact.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

County looks to sell its controversial parcel

Senior Living Questions? are

Manatee County commissioners will decide whether to change land use designation on its controversial East County parcel so it can be sold.

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Manatee County’s controversial purchase of 161 acres from Musgrave Real Estate Holdings in 2020 is likely to cause more Commission drama.

After the Manatee County Planning Commission voted July 14 in favor of a change of land use category for approximately 98.6 acres of that parcel, which is at the corner of State Road 64 and Lena Road, a transmittal hearing will be held in front of commissioners Aug. 4 to send the change in land use to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for review.

The next step would be an adoption hearing where commissioners will make a final decision on the proposal on Sept. 22.

The July 14 vote was in favor of changing the future land use category of the property from UF-3 (Urban Fringe 3), a category which supports lighter uses including neighborhood commercial and agricultural, to MU (Mixed-Use), which supports community and regional retail with uses including warehouses, hotels, and motels, as well as residential.

At-large Commissioner Carol Whitmore said Manatee County is in the process of selling at least the portion of the property that is set for a transmittal hearing.

Whitmore said the land use change was initiated at the request of a prospective buyer, although she said that individual had later withdrawn from the purchase. Nonetheless, she said there were “a lot of interested

Ian Swaby

people” and said the rezone had the potential to serve another buyer.

When the county acquired the 161 acres of land adjacent to the Lena Road Landfill and the Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant for $32.5 million ($187,488 per acre), it was intended as the site of a Manatee County operations center that would serve the eastern part of the county. Among the features would be a new district office for the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, a county fleet garage, a storage facility for 100 Sheriff’s Office cruisers, a field operations facility for the Utilities Department, a warehouse and a solid waste transfer station.

Commissioners approved the purchase 5-2. with District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh and former Commissioner Stephen Jonsson opposed.

At the time, Baugh said the price of the land was too high. The approval came just before the election in 2020 that saw new commissioners George Kruse, Kevin Van Ostenbridge and James Satcher all campaign on fiscal responsibility. All three questioned whether the land purchase was a responsible use of taxpayer dollars.

Then-Manatee County Adminis-

Planning commissioners Bill Smock and Mike Rahn consider the proposal.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

5A

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trator Cheri Coryea drew criticism for the land purchased and eventually signed a separation agreement with the county in February 2021.

Whitmore said now that the county’s plans for the property have changed, it is important to sell portions of it.

“We don’t need to be holding on to property of this value,” she said.

However, Whitmore said the county would retain a portion of the property for the transfer station.

Kelley Klepper, vice president and senior planner at engineering firm Kimley-Horn, said during the Planning Commission meeting that a subsequent request was forthcoming to rezone 159.49 acres to Planned Development — Mixed Use. This would be necessary to achieve the hoped-for range of uses, beyond suburban agricultural uses.

Bill Logan, a public information officer for Manatee County, said that rezone plan was tentatively scheduled to go before the Planning Commission on Sept. 8, and before the County Commission for adoption on Sept. 22.

Klepper said during the Planning Commission meeting that studies carried out by the firm indicated the rezone would bring the property more in line with current development in the area.

“We didn’t think the UF-3 was necessarily appropriate, given the adjacent development,” he said, citing the existence of the county’s solid waste disposal facility on the east side, a shopping center on the northeast side, and proposed developments along the west side, as well as the nearby I-75 and State Road 64 interchange.

“Mixed use provides the most flexibility and provides that actual mix of uses that we desperately need within this portion of Manatee County.”

The site is currently vacant, although Klepper said there were agricultural activities occurring there “from time to time.”

Areas located to the south and to the east belong to the solid waste facility. A cell tower in the southwest is immediately adjacent to the property. Property immediately to the west is classified as mixed-use, as is property to the northeast.

Klepper said the firm would like to

NEW PLANS

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What: Manatee County purchases 161 acres from Musgrave Real Estate Holdings in 2020 Why: For a county operations center that includes a new district office for the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, a county fleet garage, a storage facility for 100 Sheriff’s Office cruisers, a field operations facility for the Utilities Department, a warehouse and a solid waste transfer station Where: Corner of State Road 64 and Lena Road, adjacent to the Lena Road Landfill and the Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant Appraisals of the land: Ranged from $20 million to $22 million Purchase price: $32.5 million What now?: County is attempting to change land use for 98.6 acres of that purchase with at least some of it to be sold.

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consider the land as “an infill type of project.” He said it would be served by the roadway network that was being created through Manatee County’s Capital Improvement Plan, including the extension of Lena Road which would connect a southern stretch of the road to the area bordering the property, and also includes planned projects such as the widening of Upper Manatee River Road.

The proposal also included a request separate from the rezone itself — a self-imposed, site-specific amendment that would limit the amount and type of development on the site to 390 dwelling units and 992,142 square feet of non-residential uses. He said studies indicated this provided the best fit with the surrounding infrastructure, and that it would make the project predominantly industrial rather than residential in nature.

Klepper said the rezone was consistent with the county’s Comprehensive Plan.

During commissioner comments, Planning Commissioner Paul Rutledge, who opposed the rezone, raised concerns about the planned residential uses due to the presence of the landfill west of the rezoned area.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

DENTAL IMPLANTS

Knock, knock.

Anyone there?

by Dental Implant Specialists

IDA checking into resident complaints of delayed gate access to their communities.

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STAFF WRITER

I

nter-District Authority officials are looking into residents’ complaints regarding gate access.

Steve Zielinski, the executive director and chief financial officer of the Inter-District Authority, said the organization oversees three gate houses — one at Edgewater, one for Country Club at Balmoral Woods Boulevard, and one for Country Club on Legacy Boulevard. Although the gates are staffed with guards for part of the day, they also use remote guard services to assist guest visitors or vendors.

Zielinski said the IDA takes the complaints seriously and is looking into the concerns, which involve the ability to enter the villages in an efficient manner.

He said it isn’t certain why some guests or vendors aren’t being granted access in a timely manner. He said some cases of unresponsiveness could involve human error, problems caused by lightning strikes, or internet connectivity issues.

“You have myriad issues that you need to (overcome) to have this running close to 100% as successful as you possibly can make it,” he said.

Officials emphasized the gates are typically functioning as expected.

“I’m not saying there’s not failures, but I think the failures are the exception, not the norm,” said Tom Merrell, operations manager of the IDA. Merrell was speaking at a meeting of the board of directors for Community Development District 2.

“There are far more going through than are not going through,” he said.

Zielinski said he has been performing an incident study on response times from off-site gate attendants.

Visitors to communities must connect with these guards through touch screens at the gate kiosks.

He said after six weeks of performance metrics documentation, 90% or more answered that they were reached by an attendant within 90 seconds. He said 4% of instances were reported to be between 90 and 180 seconds, and that incidents 180 seconds or longer represented the final 6%.

He said during the meeting, however, that maximum response times

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were, in some cases, extensive.

He said he is working with the contractor, Allied Universal, to understand the cause.

Some problems led to off-site guards leaving the gate arms in an up position for as long as 14 minutes due to vehicle backups.

Zielinski said he is seeking a reconciliation of some inconsistencies in the source documents being presented in the gate reports, that could help explain what is taking place.

The IDA might have the kiosks tested to ensure they are operating correctly.

Zielinski and Merrell speculated some issues might be caused by an overuse of the touch pads on the screen.

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

7A

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Residents and guests at Tara Golf & Country Club will likely have a new amenity within the next one to two years.

Tara adds racket courts A proposed rezone within the Lakewood Ranch subdivision would allow five pickleball courts and three tennis courts to be built.

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

Going with the national trend, Tara Golf & Country Club is adding five pickleball courts and three tennis courts with the hope of having them available in about a year.

Tony Greising, the general manager for Tara Golf & Country Club, said his staff members are working on plans that would see the courts added to a 1.2-acre site at the northeast corner of Tara Boulevard and Stone River Road, adjacent to the Tara Golf & Country Club course.

A rezone request for that lot currently is going through Manatee County permitting.

The area is currently zoned for future residential development, and the proposed rezone would create a new recreational designation.

Greising said the ideal location for the courts would be directly beside the clubhouse, but the community does not have space to accommodate them.

The plans also include a small restroom facility building due to the courts’ distance from the clubhouse, as well as a parking lot. Greising said one purpose of the lot is to accommodate golf cart drivers.

Greising said the surface for pickleball will be asphalt while the tennis court surface will be a softer Har-Tru clay surface.

He said demand prompted the construction of the five pickleball courts, but it might not be enough.

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Joan Pritchard named the sport after pickle boats, a term used in rowing for taking the “leftover” rowers of an event and allowing them to compete in the final race of the day. She said pickleball was a sport made up of the “leftovers” from tennis, pingpong and badminton.

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if you build two pickleball courts, you’ll probably need four, or six, or eight. In other words, you can’t build enough,” he said.

The courts are for club members and their guests.

Chelsea, an automated phone and internet-based reservation system, will handle reservations for the courts. The same system has been used on the golf course for more than 30 years as well as for the community’s bocce courts.

He said demand earlier had led to the club’s bocce court, which was added to the neighborhood two years ago.

Greising said the courts are the only sports-related expansion planned for Tara at present, though renovations to the golf course will be occurring in 2023, from May 1 to some time in October. He said the community will be resurfacing fairways, greens and tee boxes.

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8A

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

EAST COUNTY

Therapy wrapped in wool

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

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Publisher and President / Emily Walsh, EWalsh@YourObserver.com Associate Publisher — East County Observer / Lori Ruth, LRuth@YourObserver.com

East County’s Tonia Johnson had a little lamb, who grew a big heart.

DEEP INTO SHEEP n Sheep have rectangular pupils n Sheep communicate through bleating and can tell each other apart n Research shows sheep can recognize up to 50 other sheep faces for up to two years n Sheep

recognize plants they need to eat to prevent or cure illnesses n Sheep have shown they feel afraid, angry, bored, sad, and happy n Sheep have no upper teeth. They have a hard upper palate that the lower teeth press up against to break down food *Information from the ASPCA

Executive Editor and COO / Kat Hughes, KHughes@YourObserver.com Managing Editor / Jay Heater, JHeater@YourObserver.com Sports Editor / Ryan Kohn, RKohn@YourObserver.com Staff Writers / Liz Ramos, LRamos@YourObserver.com; Ian Swaby, ISwaby@YourObserver.com Digital & Engagement Editor / Kaelyn Adix, KAdix@YourObserver.com Editorial Designers / Melissa Leduc, MLeduc@YourObserver.com; José Valle, JValle@YourObserver.com A+E Editor / Spencer Fordin, SFordin@YourObserver.com Black Tie Editor / Harry Sayer, HSayer@YourObserver.com

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

T

onia Johnson’s eyes locked upon the 2-week-old lamb that was up for sale at an auction house in Arcadia.

“She was so cute,” said East County’s Johnson, who was attending the auction to buy a few animals for a small farm that she and her husband, Daniel Johnson, own on Morgan Johnson road. “She was the size of a poodle.”

She felt an immediate connection and all she could think about was somebody turning the cute, little lamb into chops.

She bid $50 even though a lamb was not in the plan.

No one else bid.

The lamb, who then was named “Ivory,” went home with her new “mother.”

Ivory was a “bum lamb,” which means she had been abandoned by her own mother. Often when a ewe has more than two offspring, she turns away from the two who are not chosen because she doesn’t have enough milk to go around. On farms, those rejected lambs often are bottle fed so they don’t perish.

Two years later, Johnson admits she didn’t understand the ramifications.

Perhaps she should have read this post on HobbyFarms.com, “Keep in mind, sheep are not solitary animals and need to be part of a flock.

You shouldn’t buy a single bummer lamb unless you already have other sheep with which it can bond and learn from.”

Johnson became not only Ivory’s mom. She became her whole world.

Leaving Ivory out on the farm was out of the question. When Johnson would leave her for more than few minutes, Ivory would bleat uncontrollably. Johnson was concerned that if she spent any time away, Ivory would, indeed, die.

So Ivory became a house pet. She roams the house like any dog or cat, lays down on chairs, and sleeps on a dog bed in Tonia and Daniel’s bedroom.

“I didn’t know anything about sheep,” Johnson said.

She definitely didn’t understand Ivory would have such separation anxiety.

“Now I am tied down,” she said.

Since paying $50 for Ivory, Tonia and Daniel have gone on one vacation, to a bed and breakfast on St. George Island off the Florida panhandle.

“She got to go to the beach,” Johnson said.

While she chuckled while talking about the beach, she noted Daniel is not so happy about having a 200-pound sheep controlling their lives.

Fortunately, it wasn’t long after Ivory became a member of the family that Johnson began to believe some

The Sheridan’s Dick Wagner enjoys a moment with Ivory.

Photos by Jay Heater

Two years ago, Tonia Johnson paid $50 at an Arcadia auction to stop Ivory from being turned into lamb chops.

GIVING BACK FREEDOM GATHERING What: An average of 600 free meals are served to those in need Where: 1910 14th St. W., Bradenton When: 6 p.m. Thursdays Founder: Tonia Johnson

The Sheridan’s Marianne Heinz, 90, said she would give Tonia Johnson a big medal for saving Ivory’s life.

greater force was at work.

The founder of the Freedom Gathering, which serves meals to the homeless 6 p.m. every Thursday at 1910 14th St. W., Bradenton, Johnson had to bring Ivory along with her. She immediately saw a healing property Ivory seemed to carry with her. Homeless people were smiling as they petted their newfound, puffy friend.

At every Freedom Gathering, where an average of 600 meals are delivered, the Gospel is taught and preached with meals. Ivory takes a seat on a chair during the sermon.

The sermon and the food weren’t the only things making an impact.

Those attending couldn’t wait to see Ivory each week.

“Research tells us sheep can have a lot of empathy,” Johnson said. “I think that is why she is ideal to visit the homeless.

“We were at Fort Hamer (Park) one time and Ivory went over by this dog. She won’t normally go to dogs, but she went by this one and put her head down. The owners of the dog said they were on their way to put the dog to sleep because she had cancer.”

Johnson has noticed that Ivory, who in general is afraid of wheelchairs, will go up to children in wheelchairs at the outlet mall.

“She was not trained to interact with people the way she does,” Johnson said. “It’s all natural.”

It was so natural that Johnson decided to expand Ivory’s reach. Four months ago, she met Cliff and Vicki Hofferbert, who run the Homebound Ministry of Woodland Community Church in Lakewood Ranch. They have since made 10 visits with Ivory to 10 facilities that house seniors.

Earlier this month, it was a trip to The Sheridan at Lakewood Ranch.

“You just see the joy,” Vicki Hofferbert said. “And it’s so unusual to see a sheep coming into a building, or going into an elevator.”

The Hofferberts, who live in Greenfield Plantation, are big fans of Johnson’s work.

“She has the most compassionate heart,” Vicki Hofferbert said.

“She just couldn’t let that sheep get slaughtered. Now she takes Ivory to homeless shelters, to the beach, to the park ... it is so different.”

Ivory is now a registered service animal, but The Sheridan’s Ursula Szekely, a program director, was not overly concerned with that designation, knowing the impact Ivory would have on the residents.

“We’re not opposed to pretty much anything,” Szekely said. “You could bring me a sloth. We’ve had miniature ponies and many dogs, but this is our first sheep.”

Skelely was asked to describe what it is like when the residents come into contact with a visiting animal.

“It is a feeling I can’t explain,” Skelely said. “I get goosebumps.”

Johnson’s grandson, 15-year-old Caleb Farnum, led Ivory into The Sheridan.

“I had to sheer her last night,” said Farnum, who helps Johnson with Ivory’s care. “We wanted her to look good.”

Farnum led Ivory into the room of 90-year-old Marianne Heinz.

“Oh, are you going to eat her?”

Heinz asked.

Farnum explained how his grandmother saved Ivory from the butcher.

“If I had a big medal, I would give it to you,” Heinz said.

Johnson deserves a medal for the life changes she has been forced to make. She explained she only gets to eat at restaurants once in a while when they can dine outdoors and the restaurant is OK with Ivory. She usually brings Ivory to the grocery store, but once in a while a customer freaks out.

Tonia and Daniel deal with the challenges because Ivory has been the source of love and joy for so many.

They had better be OK with it. A sheep’s life expectancy is 10-12 years.

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SIDE OF RANCH

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

9A

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

JAY HEATER

Lake Club’s circle of giving increases I n terms of philanthropic organizations, this was low key.

That made sense, though, because the Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle, which was founded in 2014, was organizing out of a small, but affluent, neighborhood.

For those wondering if one person can make a difference, or five, or 10, read on.

Realtor Barbara Najmy, the founder of the Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle, was sitting in the home of East County philanthropist Diane Brune in 2014 at Brune’s then-home in the Country Club of Lakewood Ranch. Brune, a 2018 recipient of the John Clarke Humanitarian Award and a member of the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund’s “Founders 50” group, was discussing with Najmy how she could form a group to become a member of the “Founders 50,” which dedicates $50,000 toward regional philanthropy through the Community Fund.

The idea came about to form the Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle.

AT THE BEGINNING

Although Najmy had several neighbors she immediately considered for the group, she knew it might not be so easy since the new community had yet to go through a growth spurt.

“The Lake Club is a unique community,” Najmy said. “It’s prototype was communities in Naples and Orlando. It was not centered around golf, but it was fine-tuned to architectural styles.”

Najmy knew the homeowners would come, just not when.

Oh well. For Najmy, there was no time like the present.

Feeling that small could be mighty, Najmy connected with nine other women from the neighborhood, and they met for wine and finger foods. The nine were Najmy, Pam Hughes, Josephine Coco,

Sheryl Isaac, Ruth Harshman, Lisa Barnaby, Maureen Cozzi, Milly Chaykin, Maria Gaffar and Denise Drabik. They committed to $1,000 apiece over a five-year term, and by doing that they would qualify as a “Founders 50” member.

It was time to socialize.

At the time, the thought of growing their circle probably didn’t occur to the members. They were giving back, and having fun at the same time.

But Najmy notes, “If you stay the course and continue to surround yourself with like-minded women, then great things come of it.”

GREAT THINGS COME

Secretary Ruth Harshman wanted more company for wine and appetizers. She started going door-todoor in the neighborhood to recruit new members.

“Ruth was so instrumental in recruitment,” said Julie Swan, who is the giving circle’s chair for outreach. “It was like a welcome wagon. You need to join!”

The group began having more social events, but not a lot of fundraisers.

In 2017, though, the 30-memberstrong group held its first fundraiser “Wine, Women and Jewels.” It made $13,000 that was distributed through the Manatee Community Foundation to charity. Similar fundraisers were held in 2018 and 2019.

And then COVID-19 took hold, and the pandemic halted all fundraising activities.

A funny thing happened, though.

The Lake Club exploded in home sales. The Lake Club Giving Circle reached out to new residents.

From 2020 to 2022, the Lake Club Giving Circle grew from 30 members to 115.

“What I believe is the new residents have strong philanthropic backgrounds,” Najmy said. “It was part of their natural progression to be part of this.”

It meant that Najmy and her board had to reassess how they did business, right down to the social part.

“Where there were 20 to 30 members, I would make cake, put out Mediterranean tacos and lasagna,” Najmy said. “I would do all the cooking, but as we grow, I guess it will be ‘bring your own dish ... and a bottle of wine.’”

At a Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle Gathering in March at Najmy’s home, 40 women attended. While Najmy said that was “fabulous,” it also became apparent the Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle would have to become more organized to handle its growth.

“We thought it was time for structure,” Najmy said. “Now we have chairs, and we have committees. We have no website, but it’s on its way. We just finalized a logo, and we are putting the finishing touches on our bylaws. With 115 members, we know we can make an impact.”

MORE POWER

With more participation comes more fundraising power. Najmy said the group can get more support from businesses, and in turn, can find ways to bring their group, and business, to them.

The group’s mission statement is “being dedicated to supporting organizations that address the physical, emotional and educational needs of women, children and families in Sarasota and Manatee counties.”

Swan said the giving circle leans toward smaller nonprofits.

“With them, a $2,000 check can make a difference,” she said.

Swan wasn’t an original member of the Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle, but joined after the “A Life Story Foundation” closed in March 2020 as the pandemic took hold and canceled all the nonprofit’s fundraising activities. Swan acted as CFO for the foundation, which

Jay Heater

Lake Club Giving Circle founder Barbara Najmy and member Julie Swan show off some of the sneakers the giving circle collected for The Twig nonprofit.

was started by her son, Kevin Swan, who was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). The nonprofit raised $1.7 million for ALS research and support.

Without that full-time job, Swan wanted to find other ways to give back to her community.

“I love that (the Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle) is philanthropic, and that it supports women, children and families,” Swan said. “We know there are needs right here in our backyard. Our circle exposes people to the needs of our community. I like this is my neighborhood.”

Swan said she had found Lake Club residents have wanted to reconnect with others following the pandemic, and that philanthropy is a great way to do it.

Although Swan has concentrated on outreach with the giving circle, she will move to more fundraising duties, which is her specialty.

“This helps keep me feeling younger,” she said. “I love getting to visit my neighbors, and this giving circle has blossomed. It is a high energy group that wants to make a difference. I think we are going to

kick (butt).”

With more membership funds and more money going to charity, Najmy loves the result she is seeing.

“We are going to be making a big impact in two years,” she said. “I see us having 150 to 200 members and I feel strong we can (give out) $30,000 (annually in grants). I am thrilled where we are trending.”

She noted that West Coast Plastic Surgery in Sarasota donated services for a gift basket recently. The giving circle sold 30 tickets, raising $3,000 in 24 hours, all of which went to charity.

To learn how to join the Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle, email Najmy at Barbara@BarbaraNajmy. com.

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

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10A

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

Bradenton East Integrative Medicine

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New scholarships for New College Bishop Parker Foundation provides $159,000 for Manatee County students headed to New College of Florida.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

S

tudents from Manatee County high schools and others from the State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota will have all or part of a single year of tuition at New College of Florida paid thanks to a grant from the Bishop Parker Foundation.

The Bishop Parker Foundation supports nonprofits focused on the arts, education, science and animals.

The foundation awarded a $159,000 grant to the New College Foundation to start a scholarship program for academically qualified Manatee County high school students and transfer students from State College of Florida ManateeSarasota.

“We’re thrilled and grateful to (the Bishop Parker Foundation) for this huge gift,” said MaryAnne Young, the vice president of advancement and the executive director of the New College Foundation. “We were just beyond excited.”

The scholarship program will

provide scholarships up to $7,000, which is approximately the cost of one year’s tuition at New College. Six students have received scholarships for the 2022-23 school year while applications for 2023-24 scholarships are being accepted.

Approximately 16 scholarships are expected to be given through the grant in 2023-24.

A portion of the grant funds will be used for student activities and engagement, internships and support to assist student retention and success.

While scholarships have been awarded for the 2022-23 school year, all Manatee County students and State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota students are eligible to apply for scholarships for the first semester of 2023 along with the 2023-24 school year. Go to NCF.edu for information about how to apply.

In the 2021-2022 school year, 54 of the 659 students enrolled at New College of Florida, which is located at 5800 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, were from Manatee County.

“We’ve been working hard on recruiting more students from Manatee because this is a great education here at New College, it’s right in their backyard and it’s really affordable,” Young said.

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Integrative medicine practitioners

JULY 28, 2022

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT SPENCER FORDIN A+E EDITOR

W

illiam A. Ewing has spent a good portion of his life thinking about photog-

raphy, and he literally wrote the book on the history of flowers in photos. So you might imagine what

F U L L B L O O M PHOTOGRAPHY

Photo courtesy of Edwynn Houk Gallery

Flowers for Lisa #30 by Abelardo Morell

a shock it was for him to realize that the art form had come a long way since he’d studied it.

Ewing, who delivered “Flora Photographica,” in 1990, was recently chatting with a woman who had enjoyed his work. She stopped him cold by asking him what had happened in floral photography since his book.

Ewing had to admit he didn’t know.

“I was stunned,” says Ewing.

“Because I realized that for 30 years, I don’t know. I hadn’t followed it. So I quickly did a survey and decided, ‘Yeah, this is worth redoing.’”

Ewing drafted a Swiss curator, Danae Panchaud, to help him reassess the art of floral photography, and the result was a brand new book and a brand new museum exhibit.

Ewing and Panchaud brought their work, entitled “Flora Imagineria: The Flower in Contemporary Photography,” to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for a summer exhibition, and the result is dozens of photographs from celebrated artists in a number of styles.

You’ll see some images that come from electron microscopes and others that beautifully portray the flower or plant in full bloom. Some of the exhibits are inside and some are outside, and Selby Gardens CEO Jennifer Rominiecki says that’s in keeping with Selby’s mission.

“The whole idea of the living museum is that as a botanical garden, we’re operating just as museums do with changing exhibits,” she says. “And this one in particular, I think, really underscores the whole concept because we have works of art outdoors and indoors.”

Before you get to the exhibit, it helps to know some of the history.

Ewing says that from the beginning of photography, artists were pointing their lens at the natural world.

In fact, Ewing says the first photograph from Henry Fox Talbot — whom he identified as the inventor of photography — may have been of a flower. He also cited the work of Anna Atkins, an early photographer who gained distinction in the field of botany.

Photography, though, has had to fight for its place in the field. When photography burst on the scene, says Ewing, other art forms were much further ahead in their development.

“For botanical work, photography was rejected at the beginning,” he says. “Painting, watercolor, drawing, etching, engraving and lithograph were highly developed. Just think of the Dutch still life tradition; still lifes were so realistic you were tempted to brush a fly off a petal.”

Photography, by contrast, was still figuring out its own technology and how it could differentiate itself from other artistic genres. Early photography methods, says Ewing, yielded only black-and-white studies, and truthfully, photos were closer to a muddy brown-and-white.

How, then, could they expect to fully render the colorful world of SEE FULL BLOOM, PAGE 12A

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

12A

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

THE ARTISTS IN THEIR OWN WORDS Some statements are edited for brevity.

Photo courtesy of David Lebe

Full bloom FROM PAGE 11A

flowers and plants? And even if they succeeded, says Ewing, there was no way to get their work to the masses.

“There were people who tried to photograph and more or less succeeded even though it was blackand-white,” he says. “There was no means to reproduce photography in books until the end of the 19th century. So there was kind of a double jeopardy thing there.”

Now, in an age of digital technology, the genre has grown by leaps and bounds, and in many respects, it has become the default art form.

Now, anybody with a smart phone can indelibly capture an image.

DAVID LEBE “Photograms are a simple photographic process, but my workflow was mostly complex and layered, often culminating in the hand-application of color. I had many successes but also frustrations; there were times when the medium was not flexible enough to allow me to go where I wanted, evolve the image, or create the variations I wanted.

Twenty-five years later, learning digital photography, I realized those limitations were gone, and I couldn’t resist going back, reworking, and reimagining some photograms—resulting in pictures with two dates. “

VIVIANE SASSEN “Some of my earliest childhood memories are of flowers. I spent my years as a toddler in Kenya, where my father worked as a doctor in a local hospital. I vividly remember the gorgeous smell of the frangipani tree, which releases its scent in the evening when the sun has gone down. I remember the bright orange-red of the flamboyant tree in our garden, where the ‘banana birds’ used to nest. And the lovely lilac flowers paving the road when it was jacaranda season.”

IF YOU GO

FLORA IMAGINARIA When: Runs until September 25 Where: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St. Tickets: Free with admission Info: Selby.org

It also means that black-andwhite photography of flowers is largely a relic of the past.

There are some black-and-white images as part of the Flora Imaginaria exhibit, but Ewing estimates it’s only about 10%.

And that’s a sea change from his show from decades ago.

“The first project in 1990 was about 90% black-and-white,” he says. “That was the reality of photography. Anybody of note 30 years

ROBERT WALKER “When looking through the viewfinder, I ignore the literal subject matter and compose the picture on the basis of purely abstract elements of form and color.

Forgetting the countless metaphorical significances usually associated with flowers, I compose my images as if on a blank canvas or flat surface.

This often enables me to conjure up relationships between styles and techniques evocative of abstract painting.”

ago was working in black-andwhite ... but this time around, the project is 90% color.”

The interesting part now isn’t just how perfectly rendered a flower can be in photos. It’s the many techniques an artist can employ in their work, including computergenerated effects.

So as you wander around Selby Gardens and ponder how certain images were created, you’ll also have the opportunity to appreciate the simple beauty of nature.

The outdoor exhibit of the photographs is colored by shadows and sun, and you might get a different sense if you arrive early in the day as opposed to sunset.

“Like I always say with exhibitions, it’s haute couture,” says Ewing. “It’s not pret a porter. If you’re doing the job well, you develop the project for the space.”

Photo courtesy of Robert Walker

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PEDRO ALMODÓVAR “Since I began my brief life as a photographer, I have always tried to imitate painting, not photography, without resorting to any special technique except waiting for the light that comes through the windows.

My only task has been to wait for the exact moment, which varies depending on the season, and at times it’s a matter of a very few minutes. Without intending to, I was photographing the passing of time, in the light and in the flowers.”

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13A

DISTINCTIVE DISHES An occasional series on signature dishes from local restaurants.

WHAT’S THE DISH: This flavorful fungus concoction is the signature soup on the Indigenous menu, and it’s made from a blend of porcini, shiitake and cremini mushrooms.

Chef Steve Phelps says cooking mushrooms can be tricky because they’re 80% water and may need to be dried out before they’re used as ingredients. That’s interesting because the bisque comes out so thick you could eat it with a fork.

The earthy blend of flavors is popular with carnivores and vegetarians, and it’s the one item newcomers to Indigenous know they have to try.

“If I took if off the menu, there would be a mob out front,” says Phelps. “I even have people that I’ll freeze a couple quarts and mail it to them. That’s expensive, but if they want it, I’ll do it.”

HOW IT ALL BEGAN: The recipe followed Phelps from his early days as a chef in Cleveland. Phelps says he was classically trained as a French chef and began working on soups and sauces early in his career.

When he first made the wild mushroom bisque, he was trying to make do with extra ingredients from a beef stroganoff dish. And you can tell it has its origins in a meat dish; it has a rich and savory flavor that would be at home on any steakhouse menu.

“It doesn’t want to adapt,” says Phelps. “It doesn’t like evolutions.”

WILD MUSHROOM BISQUE AT INDIGENOUS Address: 239 S. Links Ave. Ambiance: Date night, homey and intimate atmosphere Price: Entrees from $24 to $38 Info: IndigenousSarasota.com or call (941) 706-4740.

Hot tip: The restaurant is as small as it is popular, so be sure to book a reservation by phone ahead of time.

Photos by Spencer Fordin

CHEF STEVE PHELPS

HOW IT’S MADE: Phelps slices the mushrooms really thin, and he caramelizes them with a mixture of vegetable mirepoix, garlic, fresh herbs, chicken stock and beef stock.

The mixture caramelizes for hours, and sherry is added as a de-glazer.

The final product has cream in it, says Phelps, but not a lot. Cream, butter and flour. Once the cooking process is done, The bisque is topped with rye croutons and a fried shiitake mushroom before it’s served.

“It’s just really clear on mushroom density,” says Phelps. “It basically cooks for two or two-and-a-half hours before we even add the cream to it.”

“We even get people to cheat on (being vegetarian), which is fascinating.”

— Chef Steve Phelps

MUSHROOM CONNOISSEUR: Phelps has loved mushrooms his whole life. He was the kid asking for mushroom on pizza when everyone else was asking for pepperoni or sausage.

Now, he can identify a mushroom in a blind taste test, and he also can probably tell you whether it was dried or roasted before it was cooked.

The key to preparing mushrooms, he says, is to cook them down and cook them down some more.

“Whether you’re roasting them in the oven or you’re cooking them down in butter or in oil, the longer they go, the umami flavor just keeps coming out,” he says. “Some people just make a mushroom soup or sauce and they just bring it to a boil and puree it, but you’ve got to reduce stuff. You’ve got to concentrate stuff. Changing the flavor profile from what you would taste sautéed to what you would taste roasted and that’s night and day too.”

FUNGUS AMONG US?: Phelps says shiitake mushrooms grow well in Florida, and he sources them locally from Petrichor Mushrooms and a smaller farm in Myakka. But you need more space to grow cremini mushrooms, and he supplements his stock with mushrooms from commercial growers in Pennsylvania.

A CHEAT DISH: Sometimes, says Phelps, vegetarians want to try the bisque, and they aren’t deterred when they learn it has both chicken and beef stock in it.

“We even get people to cheat on that,” he says of his vegetarian consumers. “Which is fascinating.”

ONLY TWO WEEKS LEFT! THE CIRCUS ARTS CONSERVATORY & THE RINGLING present

SEE FOR YOURSELF

Daniel Lind-Ramos, María Guabancex, 2018-2022, Assemblage, 110 x 84 x 148 in.

Courtesy of the artist, Photo: Ryan Gamma

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Found objects from the aftermath of Hurricane Maria serve as a testament to resilience and community.

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MONDAY

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

14A

FLORA IMAGINARIA Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Selby Gardens, 1534 Mound St. Free with museum admission Visit Selby.org.

Come see the art of floral photography through the lens of some of the world’s most foremost photographers. The Selby Garden exhibit will be open until Sept. 25, and you’ll be able to stand amongst the foliage and peer deeply through the lens of the many different ways that photography can distill the image of the flower.

TUESDAY SUMMER CIRCUS SPECTACULAR 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bayshore Road $18, $12 children Visit Ringling.org Larry Paul’s “Anna Maria Island Sunset 85” will be part of the artist’s show at Island Gallery West.

THIS WEEK

THURSDAY

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

Carl Rimi has been touring the country for two decades, and he’s taken his act to clubs and cruise ships all across America. He’ll play five shows at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, beginning on Thursday and ending his run with a pair of shows on Saturday evening.

FRIDAY ‘THE MANAGER’ 7:30 p.m. at Studio 1130, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail $21.50 Visit ThePlayers.org.

This isn’t the Bad News Bears. This brand new play is about a middleaged Little League manager who is facing a divorce and the final season coaching his son in youth baseball.

Will his family turn out to be safe at home? Runs through July 31.

U2 LASER LIGHTS 7 p.m. at Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W. $15 Visit BishopScience.org.

They want to run. They want to hide.

They want to use all the walls to show laser lights. The rich and deep catalogue of U2 hits will get the laser light treatment at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, and you can be up close and personal to sing along with Bono. It’s the

only U2 show left on the schedule; a Bob Marley showing at 9 p.m. has already sold out.

SATURDAY EXCERPTS FROM ‘LE CORSAIRE’ 7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. $50-$65 Visit SRQCubanBallet.org.

The talented student dancers of the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School will take the stage with guest artists Francisco Serrano and Charlotte Tonkinson from The Royal Ballet and Ariel Martinez from The Washington Ballet. Former SCBS students who are now professional dancers will also participate in the show, which features excerpts from the fulllength ballet “Le Corsaire.”

SUNDAY BENEVA FRUITVILLE DRAG QUEEN BINGO 8 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd. $25 Visit McCurdysComedy.com.

This is the final show and farewell performance for Beneva Fruitville’s Drag Queen Bingo, which has been on stage for 12 yeas in Sarasota and for seven at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre. Beneva Fruitville will be back at some point as a visiting artist, but this is her final performance as a Sarasota institution.

JAZZ CLUB SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS PRESENTATION 4-6 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court $15, $5 students Visit JazzClubSarasota.org They’ve worked hard to master their instrument and to move on to the next step in their lives and their careers. Now you can help them celebrate. Fogartyville will serve as the host for the Jazz Club of Sarasota’s annual scholarship presentations, and several of the winning artists will be on hand to perform with a trio of talented local musicians.

Step right up and watch the supertalented cast of the Summer Circus Spectacular, which will blow your mind with an incredible combination of strength, dexterity, artistry and flexibility. You’ll see balancing artists, contortionists and even some comic relief from Chris Allison, a graduate of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College.

CLASSIC FRENCH COOKING CLASS 6 p.m. at Publix Aprons Cooking School, 2875 University Parkway $55 Visit ApronsCookingSchool.Publix. com.

Learn how the great chefs make classics like French onion soup, ratatouille, beef Bourguignon and creme brulee at this cooking class, which takes place at the Publix location on University Parkway. This is a handson cooking class, which means you’ll split time behind the grill and in preparing ingredients with your classmates, and you’ll receive instruction from the Aprons chefs.

DON’T MISS

ELEANOR MERRITT: REMEMBRANCE The rich and colorful palette of the late Eleanor Merritt, who moved to Sarasota in the ’80s and created decades of her work here, is entering its final month on display at the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Merritt, a former board member of The Ringling, was named “Artist of the Year” by the Sarasota Visual Arts Center in 1994. Her work will be on display until Aug. 21, and the exhibit will take you from work she created in the 1950s all the way through to her final painting, Blue Embrace, in 2018.

IF YOU GO When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., every day of the week Where: John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road Tickets: Free with museum admission Info: Ringling.org.

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INMOTION This select group of student dancers came to Sarasota from ballet schools all over the country, and they’ve spent the last several weeks working with the highly skilled instructors of the Sarasota Ballet.

Now’s their chance to take show what they’ve learned in four performances.

FEATURED ARTIST: LARRY PAUL 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Island Gallery West, 5367 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach Free Visit IslandGalleryWest.com.

Larry Paul is the featured artist for Island Gallery West in the month of August, and you can see his colorfully abstract paintings that pay tribute to the colorful sunsets of Anna Maria Island and the historic village of Cortez. The artist will be on hand at the gallery from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 28 to answer questions about his work.

WEDNESDAY ‘SMOKE AND MIRRORS’ 8 p.m. at FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St. $25 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

15A

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

Where: FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail Tickets: $25-$35, $10 children Info: SarasotaBallet.org.

THROUGH AUG 28 How does a top Hollywood director get what he wants when a movie’s screenwriter stands in the way?

Smoke and Mirrors. This story, penned by Will Osborne and Anthony Herrera, centers on a director’s quest to get a movie under his umbrella and the nefarious lengths he’ll go to do it. Runs through Aug. 21

INFORMATION + TICKETS

ringling.org

MET SUMMER ENCORE: ‘LA BOHEME’ 1 and 6:30 p.m. at Regal Hollywood, 1993 Main St. $10.70 Visit RegMovies.com.

Paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues.

Support for this exhibition was provided by Gulf Coast Community Foundation; National Endowment for the Arts; The State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture; Herald Tribune; Sarasota Magazine; Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen; and The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art Endowment.

Here’s your chance to visit Lincoln Center without leaving Sarasota.

Relive the experience of seeing one of Puccini’s classics, “La Boheme,” with the star-studded cast of a Metropolitan Opera production from 2018. Soprano Sonya Yoncheva stars as Mimi and tenor Michael Fabiano stars as Rodolfo.

This exhibition is a part of the Stanton B. and Nancy W. Kaplan Photography and Media Arts Program at The Ringling.

Viktoria Binschtok (Russian, lives and works in Germany, born 1972), Snow White Apron Cluster, 2014 (installation view). Four digital c-prints, 100 x 88 cm, 80 x 58 cm, 74 x 58 cm and 43 x 60 cm. Image courtesy of the artist and KLEMM’S, Berlin.

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JULY 28, 2022

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Photos by Liz Ramos

Brooklyn Zabikow, who is 11, gives kisses to Asher. “I like that he likes to nuzzle me,” Zabikow says.

Kaelyn Zabikow, who is 8, loves working with Bruiser, a donkey.

BIG FUN

IN MINIATURE

— LIZ RAMOS

Rowdy licks camp counselor Jessica Davis’ hand. “It’s his way of giving kisses,” Davis says.

Skye Baldock, who is 10 years old, works with a donkey, Monster. Baldock has participated in the camp for the past three years.

Cole Schroeter, who is 10, learns how to back up his horse, Prince, with the help of Jessica Davis, who is a camp counselor.

Lexi Truxton, who is 8, gets Summer to hit the box by saying, “Bang, bang.”

384609-1

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even-year-old Ava Truxton was talking to her horse, Passion.

“Do you like chickens?” Truxton said.

Passion nodded her head up and down, which caused Truxton to break out in laughter.

Having a conversation with a horse was just a bonus of the Hundred Oaks Farm’s Mini Horse and Donkey Camp on July 18.

The campers learned how to teach their horses and donkeys tricks along with being taught how to properly groom the livestock. They also participated in crafts and games.

Ten-year-old Cole Schroeter said he loved everything about the camp, especially working with horses, donkeys, mini cows and chickens.

“I really liked the horses,” he said. “They’re nice.

And the crafts are fun, too.”

Schroeter said that if he wasn’t outdoors at the camp, he probably would have been indoors playing on an electronic device.

Farm owner and educator Maureen Hudson runs the camp each summer. She asks the kids to “adopt” an animal for the week and to learn about animal training and grooming. The camp ran four days a week from June 6 through July 21 for children ages 6-12.

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

The shoe fits for kindness IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

A

385597-1

shoe drive event July 21 to benefit foster children showed the power of not just one community organization, but two, to make a difference.

The nonprofit boutique The Twig, which benefits foster kids, held its second annual sneaker drive fueled by 264 pairs of sneakers provided by the Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle.

“There are over 1,000 kids in foster care in Sarasota and Manatee counties,” said Julie Swan, who managed the Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle show drive, a new initiative for the group. “If we can help put a smile on their face and they feel good about themselves on their first day of school, we’ve accomplished something.”

According to Lindsey May, a program coordinator at The Twig, shoes “sometimes are the biggest statement (the kids) can make in an outfit. They see a pair of Converse, or Air Jordans, and they put those on and almost float out of the store because they are so excited.”

She said a fundraising drive for shoes has occurred on a yearly basis at The Twig, which was founded in Venice in 2016. She said when the Bradenton location opened in 2021, she wanted to ensure it was offering the same program, something that was particularly important for the school-aged children who benefit from the store.

Swan previously had collected sneakers herself for the drive and this year went to the Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle for help.

She said the inventory of shoes collected this year was based on an Amazon.com wish list established

by The Twig. She said participants simply needed to click on links to make Amazon purchases, rather than physically making shopping trips, although she said there was an option for participants to do so and drop the shoes off at her house.

Ian Swaby

ABOUT THE TWIG The Twig was founded in Venice

by Lloyd and Diane Weed, after their experience raising their youngest daughter, who was adopted from the foster care system.

Lindsey May, an event coordinator with The Twig, said the couple began to realize that within the foster care system, providing children with essential needs, including clothing, was difficult. As a result, she said, the couple stepped into the task of helping provide them to foster children.

She said that beginning in Diane Weed’s closet, the couple eventually expanded to the two storefronts that exist today, the 5,000-square-foot warehouse in Venice, as well as the Bradenton store.

The nonprofit also serves children outside of Manatee County, stating, “We do not have any boundaries.”

Address: 9706 State Road 64 E., Bradenton, Florida, 34212 Donation drop off: second Tuesday of every month, from 4-6 p.m.

The Twig’s Lindsey May, left, and Katelyn Egolf, right, join Julie Swan of the Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle at the event.

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BEST BET

THURSDAY, JULY 28

CASUAL CORNHOLE Begins at 10 a.m. at Waterside Park, 7500 Island Cove Terrace, Unit 103 Lakewood Ranch. Lakewood Ranch Community Activities hosts cornhole. The event is free for Lakewood Ranch residents and $20 for nonresidents. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

FRIDAY, JULY 29-SATURDAY, JULY 30

MUSIC AT THE PLAZA Runs from 6-9 p.m. both days at Waterside Place, 1561 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. Musician/ songwriter Frankie Lombardi will provide the live music on Friday as those who visit Waterside Place enjoy sunset views of Kingfisher Lake, fun at the hub’s small parks or dining at the various restaurants.

On Saturday, musician/singer Billy Lyon provides the entertainment. For more information, go to WatersidePlace.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 31

FARMERS MARKET Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Lakefront Drive in Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch. The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch will run year round every Sunday. Vendors will be offering seafood, eggs, meats, dairy products, pastas, bakery goods, jams and pickles among other items. Other features are children’s activities and live music. For more information, go to WatersidePlace.com.

YOUR CALENDAR

COMMUNITY

YOGA IN THE PARK Begins at 9 a.m. at Waterside Place Park, 7500 Island Cove Terrace, Lakewood Ranch. Lakewood Ranch Community Activities offers yoga that is free to residents and $10 for nonresidents. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4

FREE MOVIE Begins at 8 p.m. at Waterside Place, 7500 Island Cove Terrace, Lakewood Ranch. “Encanto” will be shown at Waterside Place. The free, family event is hosted by Grace Community Church. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring a blanket and/or lawn chairs. Conces-

3B

A New Look,

A New Life Patient gets her life back after weight loss surgery

After

One and a half years after robotic sleeve gastrectomy (“gastric sleeve”) surgery* at Manatee Memorial Hospital®, Jailyn Drebes, 39, lost 190 pounds and refers to her health and her life now as “amazing.”

Before

“Dr. Rekkas and the Manatee Weight Loss Center team are wonderful. He is amazing at his craft and knows how to motivate you to stay on track with your weight loss. They helped me get my life back.”

File photo

sions available from O&A Coffee and We B’ Poppin Popcorn and Kettle Corn. Face painting will be available from 7-9 p.m. For more information, go to WatersidePlace.com.

FRIDAY, AUG. 5

MUSIC ON MAIN Runs from 6-9 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. The Shelly Bonet band will play rock, soul and blues music to entertain the crowd while a DJ also will keep patrons dancing in the streets. The August Music on Main will benefit the Asolo Repertory Theatre. The street will be lined with food vendors, beer trucks and sponsor booths. Rides and activities will be available for the kids. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

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

“This surgery helped me get my life back.”

Jailyn Drebes Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy Patient

Find inspiration from more stories like Jailyn’s at msaweightloss.com

232 Manatee Ave E | Bradenton, FL 34208 941-254-4957 *Sleeve gastrectomy surgery, also known as gastric sleeve surgery, reduces the size of the stomach so that the patient feels full with less food, while still absorbing all of the necessary nutrients. Individual results may vary. There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Talk with your doctor about these risks to find out if bariatric surgery is right for you. With limited exceptions, physicians are independent practitioners, who are not employees or agents of Manatee Memorial Hospital. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit our website. 22681583-1049751 7/22 374579-1

SUNDAY, JULY 31

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

She tried countless diets over the years, but none seemed to keep the weight off. Jailyn says she “didn’t feel pretty, didn’t look good in clothes and didn’t feel good about myself.”

SATURDAY, JULY 30

HANDS ONLY CPR Begins at 10 a.m. at Summerfield Community Park, 6402 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch.

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities hosts Hands Only CPR, which is done without mouth-to-mouth breaths. The course is $10 for Lakewood Ranch residents and $20 for nonresidents. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

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CORTEZ 12925 42nd Terrace W 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 5,138 Sq. Ft. Joanna Benante & Ann Martin 941-356-7717 A4537365 $4,750,000

BRADENTON 8456 Lindrick Lane 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 4,369 Sq. Ft. Stacy Haas & Adam Cuffaro 941-587-4359 A4538235 $3,495,000

BRADENTON 677 Regatta Way 3 Beds 3 Baths 3,045 Sq. Ft. Sandi Dietrich 941-704-0697 A4537935 $2,350,000

TERRA CEIA 400 Bayshore Drive 5 Beds 3/1 Baths 4,181 Sq. Ft. Ian Schmitzerle & Cheryl Roberts 734-664-5466 A4540877 $2,250,000

TERRA CEIA 109 Michiana Drive 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,818 Sq. Ft. Debbie Vogler 941-705-3328 A4527498 $1,999,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 17012 Verona Place 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,629 Sq. Ft. Deborah Angelo O'Mara 941-730-0777 A4535097 $1,899,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 218 82nd Street 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,802 Sq. Ft. Kathy Harman 941-900-9828 A4541555 $1,895,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7928 Matera Court 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,727 Sq. Ft. Stacy Haas 941-587-4359 A4541251 $1,675,000

BRADENTON 4778 Mainsail Drive 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,405 Sq. Ft. Sandi Dietrich 941-704-0697 A4541190 $1,250,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 13309 Brown Thrasher Pike 5 Beds 4 Baths 3,160 Sq. Ft. Alison Elizalde 941-928-9217 A4537723 $1,175,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7527 River Club Boulevard 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,261 Sq. Ft. David D'Angelo 941-587-7268 A4541997 $1,175,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7806 Troon Court 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,951 Sq. Ft. Stacy Haas 941-587-4359 A4541261 $925,000

BRADENTON 461 Chantilly Trail 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,733 Sq. Ft. Mark Boehmig 941-807-6936 A4540795 $875,000

BRADENTON 5057 Lake Overlook Avenue 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,249 Sq. Ft. Noel Morton & Mark Boehmig 941-348-9129 A4540362 $790,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 6670 Coopers Hawk Court 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,738 Sq. Ft. Kathleen Carbone P.A. 941-228-8429 A4542244 $749,500

PARRISH 1124 Thornbury Drive 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,231 Sq. Ft. Diane Fogo Harter 941-445-2431 A4542596 $625,000

BRADENTON 2525 Avolet Court 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,926 Sq. Ft. Carroll Couri 813-727-1630 A4532679 $575,000

BRADENTON 4505 36th Avenue W 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,611 Sq. Ft. Kristen Srur 941-350-0612 A4540502 $500,000

BRADENTON 2321 Avolet Court 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,560 Sq. Ft. Carroll Couri 813-727-1630 A4542312 $500,000

BRADENTON 11933 Brookside Drive 4 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,936 Sq. Ft. Christopher Van Vliet & Jamie Van Vliet, PA 941-993-7087 A4538878 $499,900

BRADENTON 1805 Woodleaf Hammock Court 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,069 Sq. Ft. Mark Boehmig 941-807-6936 A4541534 $499,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 5624 Garden Lakes Palm 5624 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,531 Sq. Ft. Diane Fogo Harter 941-445-2431 A4540458 $415,000

PALMETTO 39173919 3rd Avenue Drive E 4 Beds 1,944 Sq. Ft. Patty Brooks 941-545-1194 A4541139 $385,000

BRADENTON 3401 54th Drive W 103 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,119 Sq. Ft. Adam Cuffaro 941-812-0791 A4539849 $339,000

BRADENTON 3428 Lake Bayshore Drive 407 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,144 Sq. Ft. Jennifer Jordan & Jeff Jordan 941-705-6615 A4539974 $218,000

BRADENTON 6000 Riverview Boulevard 5 Beds 4/1 Baths 7,383 Sq. Ft. Gregory Zies & Kathy Valente 941-779-3081 A4538981 $4,750,000

BRADENTON 8435 Lindrick Lane 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 4,893 Sq. Ft. Stacy Haas 941-587-4359 A4539533 $3,550,000

BRADENTON 20706 79th Avenue E 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 5,077 Sq. Ft. Chris Baylis 941-735-4713 A4531620 $3,500,000

379151-1

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in the Lake Club topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. Donald Erwin and Patricia Provenzano, of Sarasota, sold their home at 8469 Pavia Way to John Patrick Thielen Jr. and Bill Biggerstaff, of Key West, for $2.81 million. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,832 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,992,100 in 2021.

HARBOUR WALK

Catherine Carey and Frank Meola Jr., of Bradenton, sold their home at 575 Fore Drive to Anthony and Traci Amatore, of Bradenton, for $1.8 million. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,085 square feet of living area. It sold for $795,000 in 2020.

ESPLANADE

Michael and Catherine Coonfield, of Marblehead, Massachusetts, sold their home at 4824 Cabreo Court to Gerald and Teresa Donlon, of Schaumburg, Illinois, for $1.55 million. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,138 square feet of living area. It sold for $730,300 in 2017.

RIVER CLUB SOUTH

William and Sharon Bender, trustees, of Lakewood Ranch, sold the home at 7543 Tori Way to Jeffrey and Mary Alvarez, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1,525,000. Built in 2000, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,694 square feet of living area. It sold for $625,000 in 2015.

Nancy Futch, of Bradenton, sold her home at 10514 Cypress Point Drive to Karen Lake and Kathryn Lake, of Bradenton, for $875,000. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,427 square feet of living area. It sold for $500,000 in 2015.

COUNTRY CLUB

Barbara Monet, trustee, sold the home at 8115 Lone Tree Glen to Team Soup to Nuts LLC for $1.5 million. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,988 square feet of living area.

Daniel Rothaupt, of East Lyme, Connecticut, sold the home at 7036 Brier Creek Court to Thomas Max and Terri Rambo, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.1 million. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, twoand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,742 square feet of living area.

Jerry and Shari Rogers, of Sarasota, sold their home at 7236 Lismore Court to Michael and Jennifer Davidove, of Reno, Nevada, for $825,000. Built in 2010, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,148 square feet of living area. It sold for $343,000 in 2010.

James and Patricia O’Rourke, of Venice, sold their home at 8302 Tartan Fields Circle to Phyllis Zelda Levy, of Lakewood Ranch, for $546,000. Built in 2000, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,523 square feet of living area. It sold for $274,000 in 2019.

Tamera and Charles Roulund, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 8219 Championship Court to Roulund Holdings 8219 LLC for $521,700. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,507 square feet of living area. It sold for $629,000 in 2021.

MALLORY PARK

Gwendolyn Cech, trustee, of Lakewood Ranch, sold the home at 12130

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

JULY 11-15

Cranston Way to Jihad Banat and Khouloud Ghalayani, of Bradenton, for $1 million. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,483 square feet of living area.

It sold for $680,000 in 2021.

Sean and Jamie Liston, of O’Fallon, Missouri, sold their home at 12415 Blue Hill Trail to Bobby Plassat Burnet and Jillian Burnett, of Bradenton, for $851,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,859 square feet of living area. It sold for $529,900 in 2020.

SERENITY CREEK

Jukka and Katri Palonen, of Bradenton, sold their home at 12978 Bliss Loop to Christopher Grant Slowik and Trista Kaye Slowik, of Bradenton, for $970,000. Built in 2017, it has five bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 3,958 square feet of living area.

It sold for $501,100 in 2017.

BRADEN WOODS

Ramy Pablo Elmasri and Tina Marie Scarpino sold their home at 9219 67th Ave. E. to Quinn Satkowski and Lynn Lannuziata, of Bradenton, for $965,000. Built in 1986, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,843 square feet of living area. It sold for $799,900 in 2021.

Runction Properties LLC sold the home at 9711 Braden Run to Jacob Thomas Barker and Lynn Ella Rider Barker, of Bradenton, for $630,000.

Built in 1986, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,701 square feet of living area. It sold for $338,500 in 2017.

MOTE RANCH

Robert Kent Kendal, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 6176 Palomino Circle to Wade and Cheryl Kelly, of Bradenton, for $875,000.

Built in 2004, it has six bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,475 square feet of living area. It sold for $468,500 in 2004.

Ian Swaby

This Lake Club home at 8469 Pavia Way sold for $2.81 million. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool, and 3,832 square feet of living area.

ings, of Bradenton, for $850,000.

Built in 1998, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 2,042 square feet of living area.

WATERCREST

Daniel and Connie Davidson, of Borden, Indiana, sold their Unit 401 condominium at 6438 Watercrest Way to David Lance, trustee, of Blue Ash, Ohio, for $800,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,134 square feet of living area. It sold for $553,900 in 2006.

GREYHAWK LANDING WEST

Melissa and Jason Perri, of Bradenton, sold their home at 916 Buttercup Glen to OP SPE TPA1 LLC for $775,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,822 square feet of living area.

It sold for $480,000 in 2020.

SUMMERFIELD

Nicholas Rapisardi and Caitlin VanDyk, of Bradenton, sold their home at 11123 Marigold Drive to Gerald and Leslie Ann Karr, of Stamford, Connecticut, for $725,000. Built in 1996, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,380 square feet of living area. It sold for $425,000 in 2018.

RYE WILDERNESS ESTATES

Cesar Alvarez Jr., trustee, and Albert Alvarez and Claudia Patricia Serna Alvarez, of St. Petersburg, sold the home at 16818 Fifth Terrace N.E. to Michael MacKay and Lori MacKay, trustees, of Bradenton, for $720,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,723 square feet of living area.

In with the new

GREENBROOK

Robert Bach Jr. and Elizabeth Jane Bach sold their home at 14218 Sundial Place to Mark Dalnodar and Amanda Dalnodar, trustees, of Bradenton for $860,000. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,875 square feet of living area. It sold for $459,500 in 2016.

NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION

MILL CREEK

Dennis and Lisa Ann Hertzler, of Bradenton, sold their home at 14403 22nd Place E. to Scott and Laura Brehm, of Bradenton, for $860,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,013 square feet of living area.

It sold for $455,000 in 2008.

Longboat Key

The Residences at the St. Regis | 941.213.3300 | From $2.4MM to $10.9MM | Call for appointment | SRResidencesLongboatKey.com

Matthew Heath Bush and Barbara Daniela Negron De La Fuente, of Sarasota, sold their home at 13524 Second Ave. N.E. to Jonathan Alt and Emilie Marie Alt, of Bradenton, for $830,000. Built in 1996, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,948 square feet of living area.

It sold for $440,000 in 2019.

NOW TAKING CONTRACTS

Downtown St. Petersburg

Charles Funk and Scott Rockwell, of Parrish, sold their home at 1803 154th St. E. to James Ahearn and Cherise Williams, of Bradenton, for $745,000. Built in 2009, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,450 square feet of living area. It sold for $170,000 in 2017.

400 Central | 727.209.7848 | From the $1MM’s | Call for appointment. | Residences400central.com 2 UNITS LEFT

GREYHAWK LANDING

Matthew Maurice Streiff and Nichole Streiff, of North Port, sold their home at 328 Blackbird Court to David Griffin and Kelley Turici Griffin, of Bradenton, for $852,500.

Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,167 square feet of living area. It sold for $547,400 in 2020.

Downtown Sarasota

Curtis and Breann Ellis, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, sold their home at 12428 Daisy Place to David Tipton and Lisa Carroll, trustees, of Bradenton, for $840,000. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths, a pool and 3,125 square feet of living area. It sold for $472,000 in 2017.

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

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

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

POMELLO PARK

Kathy Cunnien, of Lakewood Ranch, sold her home at 23207 75th Ave. E. to Scott and Cynthia Still-

373599-1

ADAM HUGHES

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

REAL ESTATE

Lake Club home tops sales at $2.81 million

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MichaelSaunders.com/New-Homes | 844.591.4333 | Sarasota, Florida Prices as of February 2022.

Licensed Real Estate Broker

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

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

A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE: Katie tries looking at her world of Lakewood Ranch in a different way.

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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 and neither suggests nor infers that Sotheby’s International Realty participated as either the listing or cooperating agent or broker in the sale or purchase of the properties depicted.

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THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

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College when you can, the way you want.

Associate Bachelor’s Certificates

Evenings Weekends Accelerated

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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.

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JULY 28, 2022

— The Out-of-Door Academy’s Jack Hobson SEE PAGE 10B

HIGH

SPORTS

“It is easy to get down on yourself sometimes when you are not playing well or not doing well in a class. You just have to keep fighting. ”

5

SOARING

IN SARASOTA Six gold medals earned by the hosts during IDBF Club Crew World Championships.

and Dragon Boat Charleston — the race organizers decided to combine the division with the four-team U24 Open Division (for ages 18-24).

Brian Long, a member of the NBP All-Cancer Survivors and the husband of NPB Paddling Coach Angela Long, said one of the U24 teams went so fast that it created the powerful wake, which the NBP team could not avoid.

“I was in the stroke seat, so right at the front of the boat,” Long said.

“We’re tippy boats, so once we were in that wake, the whole thing just went (over). We almost went over on our second and third heats, too. We had to keep paddling hard after the finish line to get through it. But we won our division of each heat, so it was OK.” The 200-meter sprints combine the times of three heats to determine an overall champion. Since NBP won each heat over Dragon Boat Charleston, it claimed the title.

It was not the only gold medal performance of the week for NBP paddlers. The park’s boats took home six gold medals. The All-Cancer Survivors also won the short boat 500 meters and the 2,000 meters. The

RYAN KOHN

1

Former Braden River High running back Deshaun Fenwick, a junior at Oregon State University, was named to the Doak Walker Award (best running back) preseason watchlist July 20. Fenwick ran for 448 yards (5.7 yards per carry) and four touchdowns in 2021.

SPORTS EDITOR

T

hey already had made a splash, even before they hit the water.

The Nathan Benderson Park All-Cancer Survivors had just crossed the finish line July 21 in the first race of the Small Boat Division 200 meters of the 2022 International Dragon Boat Federation Club Crew World Championships in Sarasota.

The victory helped secure another division championship for a NBP program that served notice to the Dragon Boat world that it can compete with any program, established or not.

But as they crossed the finish line, a huge wake hit the NBP boat and sent the 10 paddlers into the water.

Wanted or not, it was a celebratory swim.

Since the all-cancer division was made up of just two teams — NBP

2

Former Lakewood Ranch High softball player Jillian Herbst was named the Colgate University Rookie of the Year on July 20. Herbst led Colgate softball with a .365 batting average and had nine doubles, four triples and two home runs.

3

The Lakewood Ranch Rodeo, a Florida Gulf Coast League summer college softball team featuring four Lakewood Ranch High alumnae (Claire Davidson, Avery Goelz, McKenzie Clark and Emma Anthony), won the league championship game 7-0 over the Manatee Squeeze. The Rodeo went 21-2 overall.

4

Patty Sellner (one under par) won the Fri. Nine Hole Women’s Golf Association Individual Low Net event held July 21 at Palm Aire Country Club’s Lakes course.

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LOCAL PADDLING RESULTS n The NBP Warriors All-Cancer Survivors won gold medals in the short boat (10 paddlers) 200 meters, 500 meters and 2,000 meters. n The NBP Survivors in Sync Breast Cancer Survivor team took gold in the standard 200 meters and 500 meters. The boat also took a silver medal in the 2,000 meters. n The NBP Dragons Senior B Mixed team (men and women) took gold in the Short Boat Division 500 meters. The team also took silver in the 2,000 meters and bronze in the 200 meters.

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NBP Dragons Senior B Mixed team (men and women) took gold in the 500 meters, and the NBP Survivors in Sync breast cancer survivor team took gold in the 200 meters and 500 meters.

While those teams celebrated their boat’s victories, the combined performance was a success for the NBP dragon boat program and paddling in the Sarasota-Manatee counties area.

Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy CEO Stephen Rodriguez said the event’s economic impact would not be known for a month or two, but he was confident it would be significant.

“We have almost 3,000 people here from out of town who are athletes and supporters,” Rodriguez said. “They have all been here for approximately 10 days. That is nice for our community. We’re in the low season right now, so any time we can draw business like this during the summer months, that is wonderful for everyone.”

Rodriguez said it has been a boon to be the first United States venue to host the Club Crew World Championships. He hopes the community’s exposure to the event makes more people in the area aware of the sport and the way it is growing. Hopefully, Rodriguez said, those people will then try the sport themselves through one of Benderson Park’s teams.

Survivors In Sync paddler Fern Millman is hoping more people do try the program. Millman said she has been paddling with the park’s teams since 2014.

While she has improved over the years, she never thought she would participate in such a prestigious event. The excitement of the event did not hit her fully until the opening ceremonies July 18. When she arrived to the park and saw the setup, plus everyone in attendance, she became antsy.

Now, she’s a champion.

“This is a big deal,” Millman said.

“It is an amazing feeling.”

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PROSE AND KOHN

|

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

9B

RYAN KOHN

Local golf fan aces collection K eith Heifner is not exactly sure how many golf clubs he owns.

There are a lot hanging on the walls of his Central Park garage. There are more leaning against those walls, and even more in various golf bags inside the garage and elsewhere. It’s a collection that Heifner, 75, keeps growing, with no end point in sight.

At least, not in his eyes.

“My wife (Rebecca Heifner) is telling me that if I want to add more stuff, we need a bigger garage,” Heifner said with a laugh.

Collecting golf clubs, and other golf memorabilia, was not Heifner’s lifelong hobby. Heifner, who began the hobby in 2017, said he had been looking for something physical to pass down to his son, Todd Heifner, a former golf professional who is now the general manager/COO at Hillwood Country Club in Nashville, Tennessee.

Since golf is the pair’s biggest shared love, Keith Heifner thought a collection of unique clubs would be the perfect thing.

What is in this collection?

Many things. Heifner has 38 Ping putters, for instance. Well, either 37 or 38, depending on how strict your definitions are. One of the putters is labeled as a Karsten Manufacturing putter, from before the Ping brand was established. Heifner said he counts it as all the same.

Then there are one-off clubs that Heifner found. There’s a sandwater wedge that is hollow, with slits in the club’s head allowing for water to pass through it while you hit your ball. It’s not legal in most events, but who cares? Heifner did not purchase it for a golf advantage, he purchased it because it looks cool. In fact, Heifner does not use any of the clubs in his collection when he plays, which is two to three times a week. He’s tested a few of them once, just to see how they perform, but then keeps them on

Ryan Kohn

Central Park’s Keith Heifner started his golf collection in 2017 as something to pass on to his son one day. He is always looking for things to add to it, searching garage sales for diamonds in the rough.

the shelf to preserve them.

Some of the clubs would not do well, anyway, like Heifner’s 68-degree wedge. He said he does not know anyone who can hit a 68-degree wedge effectively. I don’t either. But that’s nothing compared to Heifner’s 1-iron, which he has never even thought about trying thanks to the story of Lee Trevino, who famously said after getting struck by lightning at the 1975 Western Open in Chicago that if he found himself in a powerful storm again, he’d hold a 1-iron into the sky, as “not even God can hit a 1-iron.”

Heifner even has a literal “Texas wedge,” a colloquial term for any putter used off the green to get the ball closer to the hole. Heifner’s club was made for that exact

purpose.

Heifner said most of the clubs he finds are in rough shape, but they are easy to clean. Just leave them in vinegar overnight and they clean right up, Heifner said. The hobby has led to a comedic increase in the Heifner family’s vinegar budget, but that’s a small price to pay for goodlooking clubs.

Then there is the merchandise.

Heifner has hats from every U.S. Open except 1997, which he seeks.

Heifner was not at these events himself. He finds them at various garage sales, thrift stores and online shops. They’re cool, he said.

You can trace the sport’s style through the years just by looking at them. I have to agree.

Heifner said he spends less than $5 on most of the hats. He’s also

working on a Masters collection, though there are more years missing in that one. Heifner also has a hat representing Bushwood Country Club, the fictional club depicted in “Caddyshack,” as well as a Billy Baroo putter, immortalized by Judge Smalls (Ted Knight) in the film. So he’s got that going for him, which is nice.

He also has bucketfuls of tees, pins, balls and other trinkets. He also has some interesting accessories like a Naval Academy golf bag, which someone was going to throw away before Heifner rescued it.

“I was not in the service myself, but that golf bag should not be tossed in the landfill,” Heifner said.

“I just felt that way about it, so I took it.”

Lately, Heifner said, he’s been

getting more into golf art. He has a picture of Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer from the 2010 Masters Tournament, the first time the two legends had been honorary starters together at Augusta National.

He has a painting of a young Tiger Woods.

Heifner does not know exactly when the painting was made, but he knows it isn’t recent because Tiger is depicted wearing a hat with the Nike “Swoosh” on it instead of his trademark “TW” logo hat. Heifner said he would like to add more paintings and pictures like this, not because of their monetary value, but because of their sentimental value. They bring you back to the days of old, Heifner said.

Even as a golf novice, I was entranced by Heifner’s collection.

It tells the story of how the game has evolved, plus it contains some wacky experiments. Both are worthy endeavors.

There is much more to Heifner’s collection that I did not have space to go into detail about here, like his driver with no grooves on its face, to be used in longest drive competitions, and his small-but-growing LPGA collection. But there is good news. Instead of only reading about it, you can see it.

Heifner said that anyone reading this is welcome to make a visit.

Simply email him at heifskb@ yahoo.com to set up a date and time. It’s free for everyone, he said.

Heifner simply wants to pass on the nostalgic vibes of his garage to anyone who wants to feel them.

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

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

Jack Hobson is a rising senior on The Out-of-Door Academy baseball team. Hobson announced his commitment to the University of South Carolina-Aiken on July 17. Hobson is committing as a utility infielder/ outfielder.

What are your goals for next season?

I want my senior year to end with a bang. We are hoping to go back to states after getting there this year and winning it two years ago. I want to cap my career with another ring.

When did you start playing baseball?

Around 6 years old. I started in coach pitch and worked my way up through travel ball and then to ODA.

What is the best advice you have received?

Never give up. It is easy to get down on yourself sometimes when you are not playing well or not doing well in a class. You just have to keep fighting.

What is the appeal to you?

Getting guys together with a common goal and finding success is the best part of baseball and all sports.

What is your best skill?

My ability to swing the bat. I know the time and place to use a power swing, but overall I try to go gap-togap and get on base.

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What are your hobbies?

I like to fish and I also write workout plans for myself and my friends.

That started during COVID.

What has been your biggest challenge?

Time management has been the biggest challenge in my high school career. Student-athletes have such a busy schedule. I have learned to write a schedule every day and stick to it. I put it in the notes app on my phone, and I don’t change it.

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Which superpower would you pick?

I would want to fly. I could get places quicker and it would be cool to look down on everything from up there.

Finish this sentence: “Jack Hobson is …” … Energetic. I’m high energy at school and on the field. I always try to light up the room.

What is your favorite memory?

I’d say my favorite memory is hitting a three-run, walk-off homer this year against Cardinal Mooney High at home. We beat our cross town rival and I hit it off one of my best friends (Bronson Sessa), which made it even better for me.

Why commit to USC-Aiken?

When I stepped on campus I immediately felt a family atmosphere.

It felt like I was back at home even though I was a thousand miles away. The coaches there are people I’d like to play for.

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WEATHER

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST

SUNRISE / SUNSET

THURSDAY, JULY 28

Sunrise Sunset

High: 95 Low: 73 Chance of rain: 7%

FRIDAY, JULY 29 High: 95 Low: 73 Chance of rain: 46%

Thursday, July 28

6:51a

8:20p

Friday, July 29

6:51a

8:19p

Saturday, July 30

6:52a

8:19p

Sunday, July 31

6:52a

8:18p

Monday, Aug. 1

6:53a

8:18p

Tuesday, Aug. 2

6:53a

8:17p

Wednesday, Aug. 3

6:54a

8:16p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, JULY 30 High: 94 Low: 74 Chance of rain: 47%

July 28 New

Aug. 5 First

Aug. 11 Full

Aug. 18 Last

RAINFALL

SUNDAY, JULY 31 High: 94 Low: 74 Chance of rain: 31% Gordon Silver captured this large gator patrolling the waters near a pond at University Parkway and Lorraine Road.

Monday, July 18

0

Tuesday, July 19

0

Wednesday, July 20

0

Thursday, July 21

0

Friday, July 22

0

Saturday, July 23

0.62 1.9

Sunday, July 24

*Rainfall totals from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

Submit your photos at YourObserver.com/Weather. All submissions will be entered for the 2022-23 Weather and Nature photo contest. In February 2023, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card.

YEAR TO DATE: 2022 23.46 in.

2021 24.33 in.

MONTH TO DATE: 2022 5.47 in.

2021 6.02 in.

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celebrity cipher 49 Fumbles, say 51 Philanthropist French Gates 52 Creamy bowlful by the chips 53 Swallow 54 Scorpion attacks 55 Ski resort in New Mexico 56 Buccaneers’ home 57 Ancient Egypt’s King ___ 58 NYC’s nation 62 Shakespeare, with “the” 65 Purring pet 66 MLB hitter’s stat 67 Union fees DOWN 68 Keto, for one 1 Square dance move 69 Fireplace shelves 2 Detach, as from a zip line 72 Gobble (up) 3 Tooth care org.

73 Stack at a rock concert 4 Part of “LOTR” 76 Bit of lotion 5 Merges 77 Cookie with a Birthday 6 Singer Gomez Cake flavor 7 Mother, in Spanish 78 Wheel’s spokes, e.g.

8 The “r” in “how r u” 79 Craft activity at camp?

9 Welding alloy 80 Raggedy doll 10 It may be citric 82 Animals with antlers 11 Fractions of gigs 86 Like green logs 12 “___! Humbug!”

87 Taro paste 13 Tony alternative 88 Ski resort in Utah 14 Comparative word 89 Contradictory word to 15 Shinbashi Enbujo drama call out 16 Ten reps, perhaps 90 Commerce 17 Funnel-shaped 91 Miami newspaper 21 Sediment 92 “Despite that ...”

23 “Maybe ...”

93 Competitive “Fortnite,” 25 Wailing sound’s source e.g.

28 Water in un rio 94 Intriguing objects 31 People sue for them 95 Since forever 33 Sneaker brand 96 “Hold on, don’t tell me!”

34 Pointers 97 Longtime film critic 35 Singer Grande, for short Roger 38 Bike trail 101 Computer shortcut 40 Really bug 104 All over again 41 Opening on some 105 Org. protecting orcas pajamas 106 Open a crack 42 Jon Snow, for the Iron 108 “Now!” Throne 111 “For shame!”

44 Ski resort in Colorado 112 Glass’s lip 46 Disney’s Lady, for one 113 German for “I” 47 Light beer?

114 Southwestern native 48 Pack away 109 Amaze 110 “Machete” star (Last four letters + ...)

113 Confectioner’s supply (... first five) 115 Otherwise 116 Shankar’s instrument 117 Snapping reptile, briefly 118 Wiped out on the halfpipe, say 119 ___ Jones 120 Blue Light Special store 121 Stockings 122 Nuisance

©2022 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

the dogs out?”

32 Ancestry 1 ___ monitor setup 34 Driveway coating 5 West Point sch.

36 Bar barrel 9 Brazilian dance 37 Bargain for less time 14 Bout stopper, briefly (Last four letters + ...)

17 Home with fees 39 Guaranteed successes 18 Close to (... first four) 19 “Aquaman” setting 43 The “m” in F = ma 20 One may move every 44 By way of second 45 Type of skiing 22 Dorian Gray’s creator (Note the last two letters in 46 Sudden flood 48 Cul-de-___ this answer + ...)

24 Jedi weapon (... the first 49 H H, in Greek 50 Coming-out words, for five in this one) some 26 Scoreless score 54 Camisole part (Last 27 Postpone three letters + ...)

28 Inserts 57 Soup vessel (... first four) 29 Occupied 30 Guilty reply to “Who let 59 Yarn 60 Early ISP

61 It can be abstract 62 Its wheels go round and round 63 Fall behind 64 How most home purchase deposits are held 67 Private Twitter convos 68 Analyze, as a large set of information 70 Name hidden in “miniature” 71 Muscles hidden in a dad bod 72 Have dinner 73 What surrounds you 74 No ifs, ___ or buts 75 Italian ice creams (Last five letters + ...)

77 Slot machine (... first two) 81 Iditarod transport

82 Historic periods 83 Suitable 84 Like beer in a 36-Across 85 More plentiful 88 They pop up a lot 89 “Smooth Operator” singer 90 2010 postapocalyptic film starring Denzel Washington (Last four letters + ...)

94 Urban border (... first four) 98 MLK title 99 Kate, to Pippa, for short 100 Ringing bells, to Pavlov’s dogs 102 Wine “expert” 103 Regions 105 Dad 107 Sports stadium

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“EBAU OESBPUKZU UDBTFDU; OX IBT VBRG ABEGBZG, UGVV DOE BP DGP, XBP IBT ZGRGP LZBC CDKU UBEBPPBC EKI DKRG OZ AUBPG.”

– CKVUGP SKIUBZ

“V’CD ODHLYDU FPHF BKGGDBB GIWDB VY H CDLN SLVGXON SHGXHJD. TPDFPDL NIK GPIIBD FI HGGDSF VF IL YIF VB KS FI NIK.”

– BHYULH MKOOIGX

“BPOSDBA DH CPLOS WPLU OSXB GXFASOUL. DO DH HOLUBAOS OP GXFAS XBN OP XJXBNPB PBUHUGY, OP JU – SCTHM MAEKAT

GDASO.”

Puzzle Three Clue: F equals X

SPREAD HAPPINESS by Hanh Huynh. Edited by David Steinberg

Puzzle Two Clue: W equals M

crossword

Puzzle One Clue: O equals T

Sarasota

383370-1

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7-28-22

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

RED PAGES Help Wanted

redpages@yourobserver.com • yourobserver.com/redpages

Cleaning

The CRYSTAL CLEAR choice!

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service

by Maria. Residential. Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References.

Free Estimates. Reliable. Lic./Ins. 941-400-3342.

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

The East County Observer reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an www.braziliancleaningbymk.com 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 Come join Allied Universal with towncodes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home for a hiring event on Sat, occupation, or residential rental property August 6th from 10:00am-2:00pm!

IN PRINT AND ONLINE Notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes Come join Allied Universal The event will be held at our it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, for aSarasota hiringbranch eventoffice: on Sat, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, August 5971 Cattleridge Blvd., Ste. 101 6th from 10:00am-2:00pm!

Sarasota, FL 34232 limitation or discrimination. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are The event will be held at our We will be holding a raffle at the available on an equal opportunity basis..

Sarasota branch office:

RED PAGES

A POWERFUL COMBINATION

941-955-4888 3 gas cards; valuesBlvd., of $50,Ste. $100,101 5971 Cattleridge YourObserver.com/RedPages and $150, all candidates Sarasota, FL 34232 that attend the event will We willbe beeligible holding a raffle. raffle at the for the conclusion of the event, raffling off CLAUDIA C. Cleaning Services.

3 gas cards; values of $50, $100, Experienced, dependable, and and $150, all candidates ready to begin! that attend the event will Residential.

Excellent references. be eligible for the raffle. conclusion of the event, raffling off

CASTING NET for fishing $50, gazing ball with stand $65, metal knight 3 foot tall $60, fertilizer spreader $20. (941)359-8460 DINETTE SET- solid oak, scalloped, octagonal table. Glass cover, 4 cushioned chairs, on wheels. $200. 941-213-9550 DINING TABLE- solid oak with 3 legs. 42” X 42”, with 3 leaves 42” X 73”. 813-363-1774

GET RESULTS! PLACE YOUR AD ONLINE TODAY Visit the RED PAGES YourObserver.com/RedPages

DVD SETS:10 Johnny Carson/Tonight Show, $25. 13 Victor Borge, $13. (941) 966-6816 FISHING SUPPLIES: 2 fishing rods, 2 reels & tackle. $25 for all.

412-527-7434 PITTSBURGH PRESS Newspapers (7) from the earth to the moon 1958-1969, $45.

941-741-9727

SANWA BICYCLE- 10-speed, lightweight bike. $100 OBO. (941)356-1456

CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

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

941809-3660, 941-809-3662.

Visit the

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

RED PAGES

YourObserver.com/RedPages

Merchandise Wanted BUYING BASEBALL card collections! Looking to free up space and make $$? Need to sell sports cards? Collector looking to expand collection.

Pay top dollar. Text/call 941 548 6492 with photos.

SENIOR LOOKING to purchase precious metals, diamonds, time pieces, coins, jewelry, antique and estate jewelry, and some collectors plates. Personal and confidential.

Please call Marc: 941-321-0707

Sporting Goods

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

13 models available.

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

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Specialist for medical office in Bradenton, FL. Collect, investigate, & present data re. competitors, prices, sales, publicity & mktg. Predict sales tendencies & propose pricing & promo strats. 2 year exp. req’d.

Mail resume to Florida Vein Center Inc., 6050 A 53rd Ave East, Bradenton, FL 34203.

DRIVER/EQUIPMENT OPERATOR/LABORER for GES F/T position. Serious inquiries only, please call 239-588-0554

BUY & SELL HERE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

941-251-7916, Ext 1

RECEPTIONIST FOR GES - F/T position. Serious inquiries only, please call 239-588-0554

real estate

auto Autos Wanted

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.

Advertise your business or service in the Observer

RED PAGES CALL TODAY 941-955-4888

This week’s Crossword answers

Homes for Rent 1BR/1BA CROSS City, FL. Furnished RV includes utilities, small deck $550 1 person. $575 2 persons. Walk to town. 1st, last security. (352) 262-7078

REAL LOCAL STUFF HERE!

www.YourObserver.com/RedPages

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

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

Minimal shift 5 hours can also provide overnight care.

Temporary or long term care.

Over 10+ years experience.

References available. No new faces, one consistent caregiver.

COVID Negative.

Call Kati: 941-536-7706.

©2022 Universal Uclick

You’re only cheating yourself.

ANTIQUE ROYAL Doulton Toby Mugs, set of 9, large and small.

Perfect condition $185.

941-349-4875

Emiline’s Antique Mall July Firecracker Sale 35 dealers with antiques & unique gifts ideal for any occasion.

Each dealer will have special pricing for July. Register for the $100 gas card drawing.

1415 10th St West Palmetto, FL 941-729-5282 Monday-Saturday 10-5 Sunday 12-5

Painting

peekers’ place

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

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer.

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

Antiques/ Collectibles

941-773-6895.

home services

Items Under $200

STORAGE AUCTION Notice of public auction in accordance with Florida Statutes 83.801-83.809 under the “Self Storage Facility Act”. Items sold due to nonpayment. Cash only.

All sales final. No sale if rent is paid. Owner reserves the right to bid. Auction held Friday, August 12th, 2022 at 10 AM by Freedom Auction Company.

941-725-2166 14875 Rangeland Pkwy Bradenton FL 34211

jobs

stuff

Announcements

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “Most important thought; if you love someone, tell him or her, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store.”

Walter Payton Puzzle Two Solution: “I’ve learned that success comes in a very prickly package. Whether you choose to accept it or not is up to you.”

Sandra Bullock Puzzle Three Solution: “Just be your authentic self because there’s nothing sexier or more beautiful than that.”

Carol Leifer

This week’s Sudoku answers

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

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

©2022 NEA, Inc.

CALL 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

14B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

Aluminum

Doors

Home Services

Sliding Glass Door Repair Are You Having Dryer Difficulties?

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

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

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

“FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE”

941.650.9790 941.650.9790 YoderAluminum.com

YoderAluminum.com

Auto Service

Specializing in Cleaning Exterior Home, Windows, Roofs, Solar Panels, Driveways, Sidewalks, Garbage Cans and Gutters. Paver Sanding and Sealing.

Gulf Coast Estate Auctions ESTATE SALES • DOWNSIZING SENIOR TRANSITIONS • ONLINE AUCTIONS

385788

WE COME TO YOU

gulfcoastestateauctions.com • Free Consultations 941-274-6537

Irrigation

Furniture Repair

5-Star Rated

ED’S RAIN MAKER IRRIGATION

Patio Furniture Repairs.com 385420

Furniture Sales & Repairs Cushions • Slings • Re-powdercoating

384838

941-504-0903

Beauty

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

FREE PICKUP / DELIVERY • FREE ONSITE QUOTES

SERVING YOU IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME

CREATE BUZZ!

Advertise your business in the Red Pages. Call 941-955-4888 384837

Health

Servicing LWR, Parrish and NE Bradenton

GET YOUR LIFE BACK! AMANDA 424-333-0713 | rockstarmobilehair@gmail.com www.rockstarmobilehairsalon.com

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

Pegatronics.com

Give Us a Call - We Can Help

941-400-4912

385786

CustomGraniteServicesLLC@gmail.com

CJ COOLEY OWNER/OPERATOR

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC

CALL BEFOREYOU YOU FALL CALL BEFORE FALL

GRAB BARS GRAB BARS

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

COMPLETE INSTALLATION PACKAGE

941-735-3362

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

GREAT FINDS LOCATED HERE!

LIFETIME GUARANTEE • LICENSED • BONDED • INSURED COVERAGE AREA: RANCH TO S. VENICE COVERAGE AREA:LAKEWOOD PARRISH TO NORTHPORT

NO MORE TICKS, FLEAS OR WEEDS! $10 off New Customers Only

Free

Weed & Crab grass Control

www.FGLAWN.com | 941-404-6601

$47

New Customers Only

Ticks, Fleas, Fire Ants, Chinch Bugs, Mole Crickets, Grubs, Sod Worms and more. PLUS - Fungus & Weeds and Premium Fertilizer. *For average size lawn of 5000 sq. ft.

Larger lawns slightly more.

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

385780

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 us today! 941.628.8579 www.ezslider.com

385779

GLENN KROECKER

Licensed & Insured

Doors

FREE IN-HOM ESTIMATEE S

DRGRABBARS.COM

THE GRAB BAR GUY

PER MONTH*

SHOWER & BATH MAKEOVERS Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

Call John 941.377.2940

385424

385159

Family Owned and Operated • Commercial & Residential • Weed Control • Fungicide • Tree & Shrub Treatment • Fertilizing • Insecticide

Any Treatment Dry Or Liquid

Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974

www.showerandbathsarasota.com

Tub to Shower Conversion!

COMPLETE BATHROOM REMODELING No Sub-Contractors!

One Day Bath!

• Luxurious Acrylic, many styles and colors • Mold and Mildew resistant, no grout to clean • Member of South Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce • General Contractor and State Licensed CRC133256 385720

lawn & pest control, llc.

You Get NOW Protection!

166554

PROUD!

INCLUDES22MOEN MOEN STAINLESS INCLUDES STAINLESS STEEL STEELANTI ANTISLIP SLIP CONCEALED PEEN CONCEALED SCREW GRAB BARS (16”BARS & 24”)(16” & 24”) SCREW GRAB

941.966.0333

Landscaping & Lawn

You We Make

249 235 235

$$

$

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

384839

384840

Custom Granite Services, llc

Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

Recognized Among the Best Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Physicians in America

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

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

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

FREE CONSULTATION 941.358.2224

Computer

384841

FAST • EASY • SAFE

Call or text: 941-900-8111 | Email: Newparrishfl@gmail.com

We get you the highest rate of return on your items

384842

SELL YOUR CAR! HoHoBuysCars.com

FULLY INSURED

RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL

Estate Sales

941.270.4400

385787

385784 364556

385136

Owner /Insured Operator Insured

Commercial

Local business, lower prices

bciacrylic.com

Call today

813-551-7504 BILL STEINER

Owner, Sales and Installer

Sun City Center Resident

Find anything in the RED PAGES

941-955-4888

385720

Dustin Yoder

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

941-705-5468

384845

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

Dustin Owner Yoder/ Operator

Residential

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

Landscaping & Lawn

Rescreening & Repairs

|

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

15B

Screening

GARDENS BY ALLISON No Job is too Small!

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

Allison J. Abizaid, M.A.

384844

Personal Gardening Services | Designer

941.400.0431

385156

Eldridge Re-Screen

UNIQUE PAINTING & PRESSURE WASHING SERVICES Complete Interior & Exterior Painting

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

385425

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

Licensed

Plumbing

“No Job Too Small”

Res./Com.

Form Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

Insured

941-920-8221

Professional Services

941-345-5264

5

Doors and more!

Roofing

Manufacture and workmanship Warranties

Pool Decks . Driveways Patios . Paver Repairs @gulfcoastexteriorsolutions Walkways admin@gesfl.co | gespavers.com

Licensed & Insured

CREATE BUZZ!

Advertise your business in the Red Pages. Call 941-955-4888

HEROES found here.

Relax. You’ve got better things to do.

Find a professional here in the Red Pages.

RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!

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

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

CREATE BUZZ! Advertise your business or services in the Red Pages.

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

385150

PAVERS & TRAVERTINE

ALL YOUR PAVER NEEDS 385733

6771 Professional Pkwy., Suite 101 Sarasota FL 34240

www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941- 284 - 5880

Building & Roofing Contractor

Dustyn McCauley

senior citizen discount.

Purified water window cleaning available!!

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc. (941) 345-5264

941-725-4344 FREE ESTIMATES

150

$

SPECIAL 00 $

specialty screens / screw replacement / paint

GULFCOAST EXTERIOR SOLUTIONS

STANDARD WINDOWS

ows

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

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

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

RELIABLE • INSURED

25

UP TO

385158

Small plumbing repairs. Replace toilets, faucets, water filters, water softeners and repair leaks.

Lic./Ins.

& Pressure C Window lean t e s ing as Sunrise Wi n w o n k Sun y l nd er

941-270-1561

Mark’s Plumbing Service 384843

Windows

Call 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

385862

Painting

385783

385785

gbyallison@yahoo.com gardensbyallison.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022

100 TOP

HOSPITALS TOP 40

TEACHING HOSPITALS

Healthcare That Measures Up Surrounded by the best beaches in the world, some of the finest dining in the state, and a community that never says quit, we know the bar is set high and the people we serve expect nothing less than the best. Which is why we’re honored to be recognized not only as one of the 100 Top Hospitals in the nation, but a Top 40 Teaching Hospital as well.

Conducted by Fortune/Merative (formerly IBM Watson Health), this annual ranking measures patient care and patient outcomes in hospitals across the nation, singling out the highest quality institutions and most dedicated staff for their achievements in patient care. In light of this recognition, we’re thankful for the leadership of our Hospital Board, and we’re proud of every nurse, every surgeon, every physician practice and the hundreds of community doctors who go to every length for the people in their care.

But we’re most proud of what it means for our community — fewer complications after surgery, shorter hospital stays and, most importantly, more lives saved and more patients going home to their families.

Because some things in life can afford to fall short.

But healthcare isn’t one of them.

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16B