East County Observer 8.25.22 by The Observer Group Inc.

YOUR TOWN Magical night on Main Street

Observer YOU YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. VOLUME 24, NO. 40

FREE • THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022

SEEnotFestival’sfantasy.PAGE11AReasonto cheer PAGE 2B

Ian Swaby Gary Roberts performed his magic for Gia Morelli and Libby Willis.

Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998 EAST COUNTY

Allen Dickson is one of the School District of Manatee County’s 106 bus drivers. The district has a driver shortage. During driver shortage, Myakka tovolunteerteacherstolearnoperateabus.

Liz Ramos Rosalind Rehm and Ava Aletto

New createsschoolfriends

Bearden takes commission post; Tatem gets school board seat.

“I like it here because I get to play a lot,” Rehm said. Ivybrook Academy, which is a Montessori and Reggio Emiliainspired, half-day preschool, opened its doors to 43 students Aug. 15 for its first year. Rehm said she looks forward to learning about the alphabet, while Aletto can’t wait to color with markers.

File photo

Eighth graders Camryn Kolbe and Esmeralda Pena say having uniforms makes it easier to pick an outfit for school every morning.

SEE PAGE 8A

Liz Ramos

SEE PAGE 3A

SEE PAGE 5A

Unity through uniformity dutydoubleshiftTeachersto

After their families enjoyed a Friday dinner at the Grove, Lakewood Ranch 4-year-olds Libby Willis and Gia Morelli found an unexpected treat. Magician Gary Roberts was situated at a table on Lakewood Main Street, and he delighted the girls with multiplying sponge rabbits, three rope lengths that appeared to become one, and a wallet that burst into flames. For the finale, Roberts took two lengths of Mardi Gras beads and fashioned them into dog shapes for the girls.

“It was amazing, a great after-dinner activity for the kids,” said Libby Willis’ mom, Bridget Willis. She said her daughter usually is scared of dogs, but she enjoyed the magic. Roberts said making kids happy, such as the two girls, makes it all worthwhile.

Braden River Middle becomes first school in East County to require uniforms.

The first day of preschool at the new Ivybrook Academy was filled with the opportunity to make new Rosalindfriends.Rehm,a student at Ivybrook Academy, made a new friend in fellow student Ava Aletto. The two (above) had an opportunity to play together and get to know each other.

Local incumbents voted out

Rissler said repairs are concen trated strictly in the southwest and southeast corners of the lake, while the shoreline between those areas was determined to have suffered damage merely on an aesthetic level.

Labor Day CELEBRATION SOUTH SARASOTA 5252

2A EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022 YourObserver.com

PROJECT TIMELINE

The half-million dollar project will repair erosion caused by Hurricane

AUG. 15-26 Installation of riprap in southeast corner. AUG. 29 – OCT. 14 Repairs along the southwest shoreline, and boat ramp repairs OCT. 15 – NOV. 15 Project wrap-up and site restoration

Sarasota County has begun a $517,803 Shoreline Stabilization Project at Nathan Benderson Park. The work will repair damage done in 2017 by Hurricane Irma. Nicole Rissler, the director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources for Sarasota County, said the damage to the southern shoreline of the park’s main lake amounted to wave damage. Rissler said the length of the 3.6-mile lake allowed waves to gain significant force during the hur ricane to do the damage. She said regular storms have not had the force of Hurricane Irma and therefore have not caused any simi lar damage at the park. “It was an extraordinary event with the hurricane,” she said. The waves caused erosion to the south shore, as well as to the boat launch platform, only weeks before the World Rowing Championships. As a result, Sarasota County per formed emergency repairs that included the shoring up of material beneath the start line abutments. Rissler said, however, that from a long-term standpoint, the staff has been working on the current proj ect, which will offer shoring up and stabilization at the south end of the lake, as well as fixing erosion under neath a section of sidewalk. She said the current project had to be timed around many of the major events in the park and could not be started until now.

Rissler said that for most of the project, park users will still be able to access the southern area. Brianne Grant, a public information officer for Sarasota County, said park visi tors will notice signage and digital message boards near closed-off areas.Rissler said new riprap comprised of limestone rocks, along with sheet pilings, will be placed along the shoreline, and will help resolve the erosionGrantissue.said the riprap will be around the same size as the mate rial already around the lake, with the rocks weighing 40 to 80 pounds and measuring between 8 and 14 inches in Shediameter.saidstaff will create a footer at the bottom of the riprap shelf where they will place a geotextile sheet, a type of sheeting designed to increase soil stability.

ShorelineIrma. repairs begin at Nathan Benderson Park

This sheet is composed of hightenacity fibers made of polypropyl ene. Grant said these are resistant to biological degradation, including chemicals found in the natural envi ronment, such as alkalis and acids. Riprap material will be transported from a staging site, to the project site, using a small loader or skid steer. It will be placed into the lake area by a long-reach excavator, before staff move the rocks around by hand to ensure they properly lock into place. During construction, a floating barrier known as a turbidity barrier will be placed in the lake to prevent the flow of sediment contamination from the construction site. Rissler said the project also will replace the material underneath the sidewalk. Although erosion is not visible from the ground area, Rissler said it has been detected beneath the sidewalk.“Ifyou look at it with the regular eye, you would think there’s nothing wrong with it,” she said. The boat ramp is also set for repairs.Rissler said it was also damaged by the forces of erosion from the storm. “The surface is smoother than we would like for a boat ramp,” she said, explaining that more traction is desired for boat users. The ramp is different from the launch point normally used in com munity events and is primarily rec reational in use. She said in that same corner, shor ing up will also take place, with rip rap and sheet metal once again being inserted into the water to help stabi lize the Risslershoreline.saidthe new additions are expected to help absorb the wave action in the case that any storm activity takes place at Benderson again, and she emphasized that she does not expect the park to see simi lar damage in the future. “We’ve had lots of storms,” she said. “We’ve had lots of winds since 2017. I think it was, no pun intend ed, a perfect storm — that wind and where it came out of.” It is estimated that the project will involve the southwest corner until Aug. 26, the southwestern corner and boat ramp from Aug. 29 to Oct. 14, and the project wrap-up and site restoration from Oct. 15 to Nov. 15.

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Approximately 275 feet of side walk will be removed to have the sub-base replaced and will then be reconstructed.Rissleremphasized the sidewalk that will be repaired is not the path way around the park, but exists spe cifically to connect the start line to the wave attenuator, the long dock which extends into the water to break up waves. Rissler said the sidewalk at the area of the attenuator has been closed since 2017. Rerouting will take place for the adjacent pedestrian and bike paths. Pedestrians will be redirected along the south end of the lake. A temporary sidewalk will be pro vided along World Championship Drive, which runs along the southern end of the lake and along its east side. Pedestrian and vehicular traffic will be separated by traffic barrels.

Ian Swaby Repairs will be made to the shoreline of the main lake at Nathan Benderson Park in the area of the start line.

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Every vote counted for Richard Tatem as his 50.5% makes him the District 5 winner.

Challenger unseats James Golden in School Board race

“What shows today is that the people of Manatee County want to see change,” said Bearden, who will face write-in candidates Robert Lesher and Manuel Antonio Llamas on Nov. 8 in the general election. “We have a lot of patriots that live in Manatee County, and we know peo ple are paying more attention than they ever have.” He said he already is looking ahead. “It’s a great feeling, but the work has just begun,” Bearden said. “There’s a lot we need to do to make sure our county is on the right path in future years.”

MANATEE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 2 Susan CindyHaroldAgrusoByrd,Jr.Spray

Ian Swaby Jason Bearden’s wife Katie Bearden and 6-year-old daughter Tessa Bearden join Jason Bearden in a speech.

As a first-time contender for com missioner, Bearden had campaigned on a platform of personal liberty and infrastructure development. He said the inspiration for his campaign was the restrictions he had witnessed on businesses and citizens during COVID-19.Healsocalled for smarter devel opment, saying the county should value both infrastructure growth, as well as residents’ input on new developments, and should rework its comprehensive plan to allow for easier implementation of features such as workforce housing. “We have to look at all things,” he said. “What’s the primary role of an elected official? To always protect the rights of the people.” Bearden said he did not favor the current environment of commission meetings.“I’mnot about all the drama,” he said. “I think there’s just a few indi viduals who honestly bring a lot of that drama, and I’m not going to put up with it. I don’t have time for it. I want to get in there, get the job done, and do what I have to do to serve the people.”During her campaign, Whitmore had drawn a focus toward her past governmental experience. Her previous experience included serving as mayor of Holmes Beach fromPreviously,1998-2006.Whitmore told the Observer that her experience in authoring budgets as mayor would be key to managing a possible reces sion, calling the authoring of bud gets one of the most important, and one of her favorite, activities. Whitmore said she supported development based on state laws that are pro-development. “When we’re at those meetings, it’s a quasijudicial hearing. We can’t deny any thing because we don’t like it.” Like Bearden, Whitmore said she took issue with the environment of commission meetings. “I’ve seen things that I’ve never seen in my entire career: unprofessionalism, politicking at the dais, which I always thought was illegal. Commissioners are forgetting they don’t represent their own personal agenda,” she said. Bearden had also contended against Carol Felts, another firsttime commission candidate who had focused her campaign on slowing the pace of development in the county. Felts had previously told the Observer that as the Lakewood Ranch area grew, it would no longer have essential services it required including first responders, teachers, schools, and roadways. She called for an “iron-clad” land develop ment code that would impose limits on rezoning, and called for commis sioners who would form relation ships with their constituency “rath er than each other on the board.”

BALLOTS COUNTED: 84452 VOTER TURNOUT: 30.57% REGISTERED VOTERS: 276,298 VOTES

Celebrating at the Grove in Lake wood Ranch, Bearden was joined by numerous campaign volunteers as well as Vice Chair of the Mana tee County Republican Party Gavin Hoover, and District 1 Commissioner JamesAlsoSatcher.present were his family members including his wife Katie Bearden, his 6-year-old daugh ter Tessa Bearden, and 8-week old daughter Allie Bearden. Campaign volunteer and Manatee County resident Larry Hayden said, “We’re just super proud to be a part of this. Jason Bearden is one-of-akind. Whatever he says, he does. He always upholds his word, and he’s a unique individual. His character, his demeanor, his faith, his go-get-’em attitude and his follow-through — it’s the true spirit of a Marine, and we’re super glad he’s had this oppor tunity to represent us.”

“We’ll definitely be able to work together to work together a lot more. There won’t be as much friction as there was in the past from the old board,” he Whitmoresaid.said she wished Bearden all the best following his victory. “It’s been an honor to be a county commissioner,” she said. “I thank the people of Manatee County for having me involved in their lives.” She said she plans to stay active in the community in other ways. “I’ve never not had a job since I was 14.

Liz Ramos Riverwalk’s Regine Tatem and her husband, Richard Tatem, East County’s Sarah Riesling and Sandra LaFlamme celebrate Richard Tatem’s victory.

BALLOTS COUNTED: 85,977 VOTER TURNOUT: 31.12% REGISTERED VOTERS: 276,298

Longtime commissioner ousted by first-time challenger

COMMISSION, DISTRICT 2 Reggie Bellamy (D) Charles Smith (D) *Winner will face Rep. Amanda Ballard in Nov. 8 General Election COMMISSION, DISTRICT 4 Mike Rahn (R) Misty Servia (R) *Winner will face write-ins Daniel Hansen and Timothy Norwood in Nov. 8 General Election COMMISSION, DISTRICT 6 Jason Bearden (R) Carol Ann Felts (R) Carol Whitmore (R)

MANATEE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 4 Chad Choate Sean Conley MANATEE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 5 James ChantalRichardGoldenTatemWilford

Tatem defeated incumbent James Golden and challenger Chantal Wil ford with 50.5% of the 23,560 people in District 5 who voted. It takes 50% of the vote or more to prevent a runoff.“It’s a good feeling,” Tatem said as he celebrated, surrounded by his wife, Regine Tatem, friends and sup porters. “It was a team effort that put me over the edge.” With this election being the first School Board of Manatee County election using single district voting, Tatem said it was the enthusiasm of his team of about 20 volunteers going out every day to get the word out about him and his vision for the school“Theyboard.were enthusiastic,” he said of his teammates. “It’s not about me. They were enthusiastic about what we were fighting for. It’s Gov. (Ron) DeSantis and his education agenda. They’re all on board with that and they believe in it, and that came out when they had conversa tions with people and the voters. It was conversations with voters about a set of ideas, not so much about Rich (Tatem).”Thesingle district voting made the election a “literally local election,” Tatem said. “It’s nice to have a local election, as local as possible,” Tatem said. “You really get to see and meet the people. It’s invigorating just to connect with your neighbors and get to know them a little better. That’s what commu nity is Lakewoodabout.”Ranch’s John and Eileen Settineri volunteered to stand out side polling stations to share Tatem’s message. Eileen Settineri said they had never volunteered for a candi date before, but Tatem’s personal ity, effort, good values and military background inspired them to sup port him and volunteer. Palm Aire’s Michelle Martin also volunteered for Tatem. “He’s very committed to making sure teachers get paid while at the same time protecting the kids,” she said.Martin and Palmetto’s Deanna Brinkley said they supported Tatem because of his desire to promote transparency and accountability throughout the School District of Manatee County while also encour aging families to participate in their children’s schools. Tatem said he looks forward to meeting more people as he starts on the School Board of Manatee County in TatemNovember.said one of the first top ics he wants to address as he starts on the board is working to move the portion of employee salaries that is funded by the 1-mill property tax referendum to the general fund. He said having a supplement to salaries paid through a tax referendum is “bad management practice.”

With the election of Mike Rahn to the District 4 seat, at 62.46% of the vote, against incumbent Misty Ser via, who received 37.54% of the vote, the election represents the departure of two Republican commissioners who challenged the current voting block of staunch Republicans and Commissioners Vanessa Baugh, James Satcher, George Kruse and Kevin Van Ostenbridge. He said he believes it will represent a change in the direction.

“We need to start moving that money as quickly as we can,” he said. “It might take a few years, but we want to get to the point where we don’t rely on the millage to pay our employees. It should be a must-pay item that comes immediately out of the general fund.” He said he will work with other board members to direct the super intendent and staff to start finding ways to move the money to the gen eral“We’refund. just going to have to use some creative financing while we maintain ourselves within the rules and the laws,” he said. Tatem will join school board mem ber Gina Messenger, who has been serving for six years, and Mary Fore man, who has been serving for two years.Chad Choate has been serving on the school board since DeSan tis appointed him to the board last August to replace Scott Hopes who left the board to become the Manatee County administrator. Choate won his election for the District 4 seat with 55.35% of the vote. A new board member for District 2 has yet to be determined as none of the candidates Susan Agruso, Har old Byrd or Cindy Spray received a majority of the vote. Tatem said with more board mem bers with a year of experience or less, the board will have to focus on build ing relationships with each other. “You need to try to learn people’s needs, objectives and challenges,” he said. “I do leadership training on the outside, so learning that these other board members have their needs, objectives and challenges and trying to help them achieve them without violating our own principles and standards. The challenge is getting together and working to come to a consensus without violating our principles and finding compromises when possible.”

1,203427,9892,5541,4364,7102,8315,97011,5212,4743,4413,7646,3625,1437,8733,922 MANATEE COUNTY ELECTION RESULTS

Jason Bearden won the primary election for a Manatee Coun ty at-large seat on the County Commission, defeating longtime Commissioner Carol Whitmore on Aug.Bearden23. received 61.54% of the vote, while Whitmore received just 25.33%, and candidate Carol Felts finished third with 13.14%. Bearden’s win is significant for marking the end of Whitmore’s four terms on the board, which began in 2006 and made her the longestserving current member of the Man atee County Commission.

Jason Bearden runs away with at-large seat in race against Whitmore.Commissionerfour-termCarol

*Winner will face write-ins Robert Lesher and Manuel Antonio Llames in Nov. 8 General Election

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

Despite his hopes to take the board in a new direction, Bearden said he believes Whitmore may have some thing to teach him. “She did 16 years on that board, so that says a lot about somebody, to be willing to put that much into serving the people,” he said.

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022 3AYourObserver.com % 55.30%62.46%63.74%36.2637.54%61.54%13.13%25.33%25.56%35.55%38.89%44.70%33.04%50.50%16.46%

I’m looking forward to spending time with my family, but I have no inten tion of riding off into the sunset.”

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER Riverwalk’s Richard Tatem was in the Lakewood Ranch Town Hall park ing lot all the way up until the polls closed at 7 p.m. Just 2 minutes before polls closed, he saw a young man quickly park and rush toward the entrance. Tatem said the man asked him if it was too Tatemlate.said, “You’re not too late, and vote for me.” Tatem was thrilled to see the young man exit the polling station and he eventually did find out the man did in fact vote for him. For Tatem, every vote counted in the race for the District 5 seat of the School Board of Manatee County. “For a military guy, you perform the mission until it’s over,” said Tatem, who is a retired Air Force colonel. “It wasn’t over until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 23.”

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

Sergio Rodriguez has worked for or owned a McDonald’s franchise for 19 years.“When I first jumped on board when I was 17, it took just two years until I was running my own restau rant in Orlando as a general manager. McDonald’s is a place where you can work your way up through the sys tem. We say, ‘You get ketchup in your veins.’”Amy Rodriguez said she is most proud of going to the University of Central Florida in Orlando full time, and working 50 hours per week at McDonald’s. “I worked my up from being a shift manager to becoming a general manager. I never was athleti cally inclined, so I enjoyed working as much as I could.”

Longtime McDonald’s workers, franchise owners open their 10th McDonald’s.

Sergio Parkway.UniversityRanchLakewoodfranchiseDonald’snewwillRodriguez,hisSymons,law,mother-in-driguez,Ro-hisBrendaandwife,AmyopenaMc-inon

“It’s an ever-changing environ ment,” she said. “I guess the most difference in the restaurant today is technology. But we also have new products, new opportunities, new adventures. We have cage-free eggs, no antibiotics chicken, fresh beef.” Ordering through apps is now a huge part of the process. And with more online ordering comes the more streamlined building constructed on University Parkway to accommodate a more smooth functioning drivethru operation. A longer kitchen production line is built now, as well, to get food out in a hurry. “We’ve got the latest and great est ovens and grills,” Amy Rodriguez said of the new restaurant. “It’s a different layout for our prep line and everything gets bagged quicker.”

After the first day on Sept. 7, the restaurant will have regular hours of 8 a.m. to midnight daily, as long as business calls for those hours. A spe cial grand opening will be held Oct. 1.

A new Big Mac in town Jay Heater

4A EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022 YourObserver.com 384578-1 382392-1383880-1384859-1PUBLIC NOTICES The Sarasota/Siesta Key, East County and Longboat Observers meet the legal requirements to publish legal and public notices in Sarasota & Manatee counties, per F.S. 50.011. AUDITOR INFORMATION Verified Audit 1101 Fifth Ave., Suite 270 | San Rafael, CA 94901 (415) 461-6006 | www.verifiedaudit.com

If anyone wonders whether beauti ful things can happen at McDonald’s, just ask Sergio and Amy Rodriguez.

The husband and wife are co-own ers, along with Amy’s mom, Brenda Symons, of the new McDonald’s franchise on University Parkway, just east of the Lakewood Ranch Boule vard intersection. The fast-food res taurant is scheduled to open 8 a.m. on Sept. 7. They were general managers of McDonald’s franchises in Orlando when Sergio was sent over to Amy’s restaurant to help her out. “She needed to be taught how to clean the shake machine,” Sergio said. “Next thing you know, we hit it off.”They have been married nine years and have four children. Their Lake wood Ranch McDonald’s franchise will be their 10th, with the other nine in Englewood, Venice and Sarasota. For Lakewood Ranch, the McDon ald’s is significant since it will be the first business, outside of the medical center, that will open in the Center Point development that eventually will support sit-down restaurants such as Owens Fish Camp and Ruth’s Chris Steak House. It will be the second McDonald’s franchise in Lakewood Ranch with the other being on State Road 64 just east of the Lakewood Ranch Boule vardSergiointersection.Rodriguez said the McDon ald’s will give people a much-needed contrast to those restaurants. “We are here to provide a quick stop for people,” he said. “I know we will have our regulars.” Symons has owned McDonald’s franchises since 1985, with her first in WhileEnglewood.McDonald’s was founded in 1940, Amy Rodriguez said the res taurant continues to evolve and that the new restaurant might even hold a few surprises for local residents.

104 Routes in 2022-2023 school year 129 Routes in 2021-2022 school year 106 Bus drivers currently 130 Total bus drivers needed to be fully staffed 15,000 Students transported 2.6 million Miles expected to be driven in 2022-2023 4 Electric buses coming to the School District of Manatee County Liz Ramos Joe Szewczyk, a physical education teacher at Myakka City Elementary School, has volunteered to go through training to receive a commercial driver’s license so he can drive a bus for students at his school.

School District of Manatee County shifts gears to make its transportation system work.

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022 5AYourObserver.com 374096-1 LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

BY THE NUMBERS

GOING GREEN Within the 2022-2023 school year, the School District of Manatee County expects to receive four elec tric“Theybuses.are currently about nine to 12 months delayed, and it’s a sup ply chain issue,” Warrington said. “There’s a lot of grants out there, which is what we’re using to try to help us obtain these. Everybody’s getting on the bandwagon.”

UPGRADING TECHNOLOGY Ranaldi said the district will use funding this year to upgrade the cameras for each bus. Last year, the district spent $1,115,990 on bus purchases. Ran aldi said the district will upgrade the cameras on the bus to be on a cloudbased system. A sixth camera will be added to each bus. Jamie Warrington, the director of transportation for the School Dis trict of Manatee County, said the upgrades to the cameras will allow the district to see and hear what’s happening on the bus. “The new system will allow us to be able to log in and observe and see what’s going on on the bus at the time, improving our response to a fight or a dispute, or some kind of medical emergency that might be happening,” Warrington said. “We’ll be able to be on the phone with 911 and be able to describe what is actu ally happening at that time.” The buses already use the “Where’s My Bus” app so parents can see where their child is on their route to or from school. However, the system tracks the bus and not the students. For example, a problem could exist if a breakdown causes students to board a different bus. The app would show the bus sitting in one place, and the parents wouldn’t know where their children went. Each student is required to scan their ID upon entering the bus. “We want to track the children,” Ranaldi said. “We don’t want to track the buses anymore.”

Annemarie Bachman, the art teacher at Myakka City Ele mentary School, constantly sees buses pull up late to cam pus.Ashortage of bus drivers compli cates matters for the School District of Manatee County when it comes to handling all the routes. Bachman said students need to rush to get breakfast and miss out on opportunities to socialize with their peers. It also causes stress on the students to be in such a hurry to get to their first class. It’s stress all around because Bach man said teachers are stressed as well because they know the students are in rush Withoutmode.adequate staffing for bus drivers, individual buses have longer routes and a lot more stops. Increas ing traffic on State Road 70 also has compounded problems. The district has considered keep ing a bus at Myakka City Elementary School so it doesn’t have to make the trip from the Matzke Support Cen ter in Bradenton to Myakka City and back each day. The bus would only serve the ele mentary school, helping to ensure students arrive at school on time and get home at a reasonable time. But who is going to drive it? With the bus driver shortage, the district has asked Myakka City Elementary School’s staff if anyone would be interested in getting a com mercial driver’s license to drive the bus, in addition to their other duties. That’s where Bachman, physical education teacher Joe Szewczyk, and STEM teacher Kristie Benton come into the picture. The three teachers have volunteered to drive the bus. Benton said having a familiar face drive that bus would be a plus. Those teachers would have two different ways to build a strong foundation withSzewczykstudents.said becoming a bus driver for Myakka City Elementary School would not only help the com munity but would allow him to give up his second job as an Uber driver. “I could drive the bus and be home by 6 p.m. rather than staying out until 9, doing my second job,” Sze wczyk said. “We get out of school at 3:15 p.m. and these buses don’t get here until 4 p.m. sometimes. These kids aren’t getting home until may be 5:30. They already get picked up at 6:30-7 a.m. That’s a long day for adults, never mind for a 5-year-old.” Szewczyk said having teachers as bus drivers also will give the students and the school more opportunities to go on field trips. Having a bus at Myakka City Ele mentary School is just one way the district is working to address the bus driver shortage while also focusing on upgrading its buses and bringing in electric buses this school year.

Driver shortage fuels changes

The district also has reduced the number of routes by not transporting students who live within two miles of their school. It is not a new rule, but it hasn’t been strictly enforced in the past.“We found instances where we had bus stops that were within two miles of the school,” Ranaldi said. “We weren’t watching it as closely. A lot of those bus stops were eliminated.” Ranaldi said some bus drivers are starting earlier in the morning to accommodate the longer routes. “Our whole goal is to increase our on-time percentage by doing that,” he said.

MORE DRIVERS NEEDED Joe Ranaldi, the chief operations officer for the School District of Manatee County, said although the district has 106 bus drivers to cover its 104 routes this school year, the district needs about 130 drivers to be fully staffed. “We are growing,” he said. “We’re managing, but we’re not thriving at this point right now. “As we go through the first month with transportation, we might be adding routes, we might be consoli dating routes, we might be identify ing bus stops that have no students and we might be identifying bus stops that have too many students.” Last year, the district covered 129 routes. The schedule was condensed for the new school year by no longer offering transportation to students who participated in school choice or hardship.EastCounty’s Faby Delgado had to make changes to how she gets her daughter to and from R. Dan Nolan Middle School as a result of the dis trict deciding to no longer provide transportation for students partici pating in school choice. Delgado said she now has to pay for after-school care and has to drop her daughter off at school a lot earlier in the morning because of the change. She understands the current prob lem is nobody’s fault. “I feel like I’m teaching my daugh ter how to manage her time wisely, how to take advantage of situations that are out of our control and bring ing her to the real world a little early. I can feel bad about it, but I choose not to. It is nobody’s fault they don’t have drivers, so it is what it is.”

Sarasota County seeks to allow light industrial, office uses on Lorraine Road corridors.

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“It’s almost like Sarasota County is trying to do this in secret,” said Polo Club resident Tim Hornung, who has been trying to notify all his neighbors about the significance of the Aug. 30 meeting. Although on July 21 the Sarasota County Planning Commission voted 6-1 not to recommend such a change for Lorraine Road, the possibility still exists that Sarasota County commis sioners could send the zoning change to the state for review, then vote in favor of it during a meeting in Octo ber.Sarasota County Planner Steve Kirk stressed that even if commis sioners approved such a change in zoning for the two Lorraine Road corridors, land owners would then have to request a rezone from the commission and another process to approve the project would begin. That doesn’t appease those who are afraid their rural lifestyle will be disrupted.“Totalshock is the best descrip tion about how I feel about this,” Hornung said. “I have lived in this area for 10 years, and I mainly am worried about traffic and safety (if the zoning is changed to allow light industrial and office space). We are going to have trucks coming in and out and that draws more people. This is going to bring traffic and pollu tion.”Healso is worried that semi trucks will use “jake” brakes or air brakes that are tremendously loud. Many of the Polo Club residents own and ride horses and Hornung is worried that sound will scare the horses and “throw you on the ground.” Hornung said he is emailing his neighbors and friends to get them to tell commissioners how they feel, and to attend the Aug. 30 meeting. “Everything out here is a residen tial community,” he said. “People are blown away.”

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olo Club and Waterside at Lakewood Ranch residents are worried the makeup of their peaceful, rural area is about to be challenged as the county explores a zoning change for the Lorraine Road corridor. In an Aug. 30 meeting, Sarasota County commissioners will decide whether to send a county-initiated amendment to designate Lorraine Road from University Parkway to Fruitville Road and Lorraine Road from Clark Road to State Road 681 as a Business Corridor overlay. Such an amendment would allow requests for office space, light industrial and some business and service uses along Lorraine Road. On April 26, the Sarasota County Commission adopted a new Business Park zoning district. The intention was to provide economic develop ment and employment opportu nities by allowing light industrial, office space and limited business and service uses in areas not previously zoned for such uses. Four original corridors — Fruitville Road east of Interstate 75, Bee Ridge Road east of I-75, the S.R. 681 and I-75 inter change and South River Road — were created.Property owners with a minimum of 10 acres and access from an adja cent arterial roadway could request a zoning change that would allow them to host the above uses. On May 24, the two Lorraine Road corridors were added as potential Business Park Corridors. Although virtual public work shops have been held, those living along Lorraine Road have received no written notice of the amendment.

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Sarasota’s Chris Bales is hop ing the Lorraine Road corridors can remain rural, and beautiful. “Traffic is the No. 1 concern,” she said. “Then incompatibility. Resi dential homes could be 50 feet from a business park right off their property line. Then you think of the environ ment, and these diesel trucks. Put ting this next to residential commu nities? There is no rhyme or reason. Think about clean air, and safety, and impervious surfaces. And you can’t buffer out the noise.” Like Hornung, Bales said she is shocked that Lorraine Road has the potential of turning into a hodge podge of business parks. “And those semi trailers that will be coming into these residential areas don’t go well with bicycles and pedestrians,” he said. “You are going to uglify Lorraine Road, which was built as a beautiful road. The citizens deserve a nice, open thoroughfare. They are trying to throw the plan ning book out the window.”

Kirk said the action of adding the Lorraine corridors as a Business Corridor overlay doesn’t qualify as the type of action where everyone in the vicinity would be contacted about the meetings. “We provide different types of notice,” Kirk said. “Some of those (notice) requirements come from the state. Most Comprehensive Plan amendments are directly related to specific properties. This is not.” Kirk said it is impossible to iden tify who would be directly affected. He said the Lorraine Road corridor is identified by the roadway, not by depth (of property). A property own er who has a minimum 10-acre par cel and direct access to the roadway can ask for a rezone for office and light industrial uses.

IF YOU GO What: Sarasota County Commission meeting to decide whether to send CPA 2022-F, a county-initiated amendment, to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for review and comment. The amendment would designate 11 miles — Lorraine Road from University Parkway to Fruitville Road and Lorraine Road from Clark Road to State Road 681 — as a Business Park Corridor overlay. Note that the commissioners could cancel the amendment entirely, change the amendment, or send it in its current form. What would the amendment do?: It would allow landowners along the corridor with a minimum of 10 acres to request a rezone to allow light industrial and office uses. When: 9 a.m., Aug. 30 Where: Sarasota County Administration (North), 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota What’s next?: If the amendment is sent to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the Sarasota County Commission is tentatively scheduled to vote on the amendment at a public hearing Oct. 25 More information: Go to the Sarasota County website at SCGov.net KEY This stretch of Lorraine Road is subject to a possible rezone that would allow office space and light industrial use.

The Polo Club’s Jeremy What mough is among the concerned resi dents.“We don’t want warehouse usage in the middle of residential neigh borhoods,” he said. “This is not good planning. Hopefully we can prevail as we did with the Planning Com mission, but it’s been hard to get the word“Weout.have enough commercial areas already.”

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The Bradenton school switches for the first time to a uniform policy, with general approval from parents.

NOT EVERYONE PLEASED Not all parents nor students were in favor of the change to uniforms. Kelly Lassiter, who has an eighth grader at the school, didn’t want uniforms because she didn’t like the idea of families having to make mandatory purchases for branded gear. Uniform tops range from $13 to $30“Weeach.are already faced with the hardship of these long supply lists, there’s additional transportation costs because there’s so many bus issues this year and lunches are no longer free,” Lassiter said. “I would have preferred Braden River allow us to purchase plain school color shirts to supplement the required logo attire versus forcing us to purchase shirts with the actual logo.” Lassiter also didn’t like that there were limited uniform options. She said her son wore a hoodie to school every day last year but now has to send him to school with a zip-up jacket or nothing at all because the uniform cannot be covered. Although Lassiter didn’t vote in favor of the uniform policy, she said she supports the school’s decision “to increase unity through unifor mity.”Camryn Kolbe, an eighth-grader at Braden River Middle School, used to take five to 10 minutes every morn ing to pick out an outfit for school. “It’s definitely a lot easier than having to plan an outfit,” Kolbe said. “You do have to wear the same color more than once a week though.” Eighth-grader Donovan Plakyda does not like the change to uniforms. “We have our own personalities and stuff, but at the same time, it makes everybody more equal,” he said.Kolbe and her friend and fellow eighth grader, Bradyn Bobbitt, have found other ways to express them selves. They focus on their shoes. For example, Bobbitt always wears Vans to school. Kolbe wears bracelets. Kolbe said she was worried by the switch because she has done research in her classes about clothing being one of the top ways people express themselves.“Afterafew days have gone by, it’s fine,” she said. “I didn’t really have a big problem with it because, espe cially since this (shirt) is black, I can wear any shoes with it.”

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER County’s Ricky Jes sop no longer has to argue with his daughter, Polly, about what she is wear ing to school. A year ago, the Jes sops went back-to-school shop ping before the start of the new school year at Braden River Middle. However, Ricky Jessop said it only took months before Polly, who was in sixth grade, no longer wanted to wear the clothes they had purchased. Then they began having a regular discussion about what was appro priate to wear to school. Now as a seventh grader, Polly Jes sop’s school clothing options have been limited to a red, gray or black uniform. With a new policy, Braden River Middle is requiring students to wear its school colors in uniforms. “This year she doesn’t have a choice,” Ricky Jessop said. “I was thankful for it. I welcome it. “It’s a great leveler for the kids. There’s less chance they will be sin gled out for not having the latest new trends.”Thedecision to change to uni forms came after the School Advisory Coun

Photo courtesy of Ricky Jessop

8A EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022 YourObserver.com

schoolstudentsalloursaid.feelpositivewillAmerica.Zenon-Richardsonsaiduniformshelpemphasizeaschoolculture.“Allstudentsshouldliketheybelong,”she“TheyareapartoffamilyinthatwearePanthers.”SomefamilieshadtroublegettingtheirtopsshippedtotheirhomesintimeforthefirstdayofschoolAug.10.Untilreceivethem,thehasaskedstudents to wear solid red, black or gray shirts to match the school’s colors.

“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.”

THE COLOR UNITYOF

policy.uniformtoadjustedKolbeCamrynPenaEsmeraldaBobbitt,BradynPlakyda,DonovangradersEighth-andhavethenew

Ricky Jessop said his daughter has heard some students want to just wear the school colors rather than have a shirt with the logo. He said Zenon-Richardson believes uni forms will help to unite the school community.“She’sallabout Panther Pride, so I think that’s why she’s stuck with making the uniforms have emblems,” Ricky Jessop said. Ricky Jessop and Nicole Mitch ell, a parent of a sixth grader at the school, said the uniforms could help stop bullying because students don’t have to worry about whether they can afford to keep up with the latest trends.Mitchell voted in favor of the uni form because she could save money. Her daughter opted to get a T-shirt rather than the polo because it would be less “Sheformal.wasupset we had to do uni forms but happy it was a T-shirt,” Mitchell said. “She was glad they didn’t go full uniform because they can express themselves in other ways with shoes and accessories.”

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

Polly Jessop, required.uniformsschoolwhatasRickywithdoesn’tMiddleatseventh-graderaBradenRiverSchool,fightherdad,Jessop,muchabouttoweartonowthatare

Richardson on the topic last school year. The school sent out a survey to parents, and Zenon-Richardson said a majority of parents voted in favor of Thisuniforms.isn’tthe first time the School Advisory Council has discussed a switch to uniforms.

© 2020 The Observer Media Group Inc. All Rights Reserved YourObserver.com Observer Media Group Inc. is locally BaldwinWestSarasota/SiestaEastLongboatPublisherowned.oftheObserver,CountyObserver,KeyObserver,PalmCoastObserver,OrmondBeachObserver,OrangeTimes&Observer,SouthwestOrangeObserver,BusinessObserver,JacksonvilleDailyRecord,LWRLifeMagazine,ParkLivingMagazineandSeasonMagazine CEO / Matt Walsh Vice President / Lisa Walsh Chairman Emeritus / David Beliles 8130 Lakewood Main St., Suite D207 Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 941-755-5357 Publisher and President / Emily Walsh, EWalsh@YourObserver.com Associate Publisher — East County Observer / Lori LRuth@YourObserver.comRuth, Executive Editor and COO / Kat Hughes, KHughes@YourObserver.com Managing Editor / Jay JHeater@YourObserver.comHeater, Sports Editor / Ryan RKohn@YourObserver.comKohn, Staff Writers / Liz IanLRamos@YourObserver.com;Ramos,Swaby,ISwaby@YourObserver.com Digital & Engagement Editor / Kaelyn Adix, KAdix@YourObserver.com Copy Editor / Gina Reynolds GRHaskins@YourObserver.comHaskins, Editorial Designers / Melissa Leduc, MLeduc@YourObserver.com; José Valle, JValle@YourObserver.com A+E Editor / Spencer SFordin@YourObserver.comFordin, Black Tie Editor / Harry HSayer@YourObserver.comSayer, Director of Advertising / Jill Raleigh, JRaleigh@YourObserver.com Sales Manager / Penny PNowicki@YourObserver.comNowicki, Regional Digital Director / Kathleen O’Hara, KOHara@YourObserver.com Senior Advertising Executive / Laura Ritter, LRitter@YourObserver.com Advertising Executives / Richeal Bair, RBair@YourObserver.com; Beth Jacobson, BJacobson@YourObserver.com; Jennifer Kane, JKane@YourObserver.com; Honesty Mantkowski, HMantkowski@YourObserver. com; Toni Perren, TPerren@YourObserver. com; Brenda White, BWhite@ YourObserver.com Classified Advertising Sales Executive / Lexi Huelsman, YourObserver.comLHuelsman@ Sales Operations Manager / Susan Leedom, SLeedom@YourObserver.com Sales Coordinator / Account Manager Lori Downey, LDowney@YourObserver.com Digital Fulfillment Specialist / Emma Burke, EBurke@YourObserver.com Tributes Coordinator / Kristen Boothroyd, Tributes@YourObserver.com Director of Marketing / Robin Lankton, RLankton@YourObserver.com Director of Creative Services / Caleb Stanton, CStanton@YourObserver.com Creative Services Administrator / Marjorie Holloway, MHolloway@ YourObserver.com Advertising Graphic Designers / Luis Trujillo, Taylor Poe, Louise Martin, Shawna Polana Digital Developer / Jason JCamillo@YourObserver.comCamillo, Director of Information Technology / Adam Quinlin, AQuinlin@YourObserver.com Chief Financial Officer / Laura Strickland, LStrickland@YourObserver.com Controller / Rafael RLabrin@YourObserver.comLabrin, Office and Accounting Coordinator / Donna Condon, YourObserver.comDCondon@ EAST COUNTY

Photos by Liz Ramos

FIRST CONSIDERED IN 2019 Zenon-Richardson said when she became principal of Braden River Middle in 2019, the School Advi sory Council brought up the idea of switching to uniforms. After trying to get a vote from all families at the school, Zenon-Richardson said only about 400 of the about 900 families at the school responded. Without a majority, Zenon-Richardson didn’t want to approve the change to uni forms.Last school year, Zenon-Rich ardson said a majority of parents approved the change. Braden River Middle is the only school in East County to require students to wear uniforms. Although the uniform shirts are required, students can continue to wear whatever bottoms they wish as long as they abide by the school’s dress code. On Fridays, students can wear the approved school shirts associated with the clubs or activities they’re involved in, such as Technology Student Association, physical education, fine arts programs and Fam ily, Career and Com munity Leaders of

East

UNIFORM OPTIONS n Cotton T-shirt in red, gray or black n Dry-fit T-shirt in red, gray or black n Long sleeve T-shirt in red or black n Dry-fit polo in red or black n Zip-up sweatshirt in black

“I just love when people who show up are patient with them,” Ava Biasini said. “They are open to seeing which cat chooses them. I like when they understand why I am vetting people.”

SIDE OF RANCH JAY HEATER

So Ava, with people like you out there, does Manatee County really need to have shelters to care for stray“That’sanimals?notan area we can cut,” she said. “Places like Nate’s and Cat Depot are amazing, but we just don’t have enough. Every no-kill shelter is completely crowded. “And we can’t always trust people to do what they should.”

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022 9AYourObserver.com Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. Property information herein is derived from various sources including, but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate. RIVER FOREST 5968 RIVER FOREST CIRCLE | $1,149,000 This three-bedroom, three-bath home conveys a unique charm and “Old Florida” feel. OPEN HOUSE SUN 8/28 | 2 – 4 P.M. LAKEWOOD RANCH COUNTRY CLUB 7340 RIVIERA COVE | $1,150,000 This stunning home offers privacy and tranquil golf course views. From the ISLANDS to the GREENS Joel Schemmel, J.D., REALTOR ®Donna941.587.4894Soda,REALTOR ® 941.961.5857 SCHEMMELSODAGROUP.COM Premier Sotheby’s International Realty’s TOP PRODUCING TEAM in Sarasota and Manatee counties. LAKE CLUB 17109 VERONA PLACE | $2,600,000 Spectacular customized Stock Development-built home on a premier lakefront lot. LAKE CLUB 16015 TOPSAIL TERRACE | $3,119,000 Incredible opportunity to build with John Cannon on one of the last remaining original lots. UNDER CONTRACT 381533-1 Greenfield Plantation’s Ava Biasini snapped into an incredulous look. Make that an annoyed, incredulous look. I had asked why an 18-year-old who is about to head off to the University of Florida for her sophomore year — studying chemical engineering no less — would want to find homes for 23 stray cats during the summer.Shegave me her best that’s-astupid-question look. And yet, the question made perfect sense to me. She isn’t employed by an animal rescue and doesn’t have a volunteer group behind her. It’s simply her own labor to find homes for all those cats — which came from “the Middle-of-Nowhere, Virginia — along with some cash from mom and dad to pay various vet bills to get them ready for new homes. The that’s-a-stupid-question look lingered, until she finally puffed out an answer. “They were dying,” she said, with an uncomfortable amount of emphasis on the word “dying.” I figured I had better veer off in a different direction. So did you know I have a rescue dog?We all, or at least 90% of us, have some level of love for pets. But that level can be as different as Mickey Mouse and Godzilla when it comes to saving the ones tossed aside by our fellow citizens. Biasini explained that she visits a relative — whom she didn’t want to name because of the situation — who loves to take care of pets. Unfortunately, Jewell Ridge, Virginia, has way more cats than people. So when the people get tired of their pets, they dump them at her relative’s because, after all, she has a barn.Over the past few years, the cat situation got out of hand because the relative, while well-meaning, didn’t have the finances to have all the stray cats spayed and neutered. When she visited in June, 35 cats called the barn home, and that was not counting a number of kittens who had died. Ten of the kittens appeared to be headed toward a similar fate. “The kittens had some respiratory problems, they were covered with fleas and they had various health issues,” she said. “There were three big dogs living there, and one of the dogs already had killed one of theAskittens.”Biasini, a 2021 Braden High School graduate, surveyed the situation, she absolutely knew nobody was going to step forward to help. She talked to her mom, Kathleen Biasini, about bringing five of the cats home to East County with the hope of finding them homes. Before going any further, it should be noted that Ava Biasini has inherited her mom’s love of animals, and her strong desire to do the right thing. When Ava was 6 and growing up in Parrish, Kathleen Biasini wasn’t sure her daughter even would share that passion, especially since she was more enamored of chickens than anything else. But over the years, the younger Biasini grew as much or more passionate about cats and dogs as her mom, who currently has five“Icats.told her, ‘I can’t have any more cats,’” Kathleen Biasini said to her daughter. “But I new she is super responsible, and she knows my expectations. I did worry that it might be overwhelming for her.” So five cats came home to Greenfield Plantation, and Ava Biasini turned to social media and posters to find homes. This wasn’t, however, a iscan’thomewillUniversitythishomesanotherhome.usinghertrip,then,broughtnewsamethewouldthebecausedidn’tbuthaired“Onetheycheckscallthatwerethepaidbookveryknow,”homesprocess.show-up-and-drive-away“WebeganbytryingtofindforthemwithpeopleweAvaBiasinisaid.“Thatwashard.SoweputpostsonFace-andValpak,andmyparentsforitall.”Whenpeoplebeganansweringads,theyweresurprised.TheymetwithascreeningprocessincludedaZoompre-visitandarequestforbackgroundandvetreferences.“Ilookforconsistencyinwhataresaying,”AvaBiasinisaid.personwaslookingforalong-cat,andIdidn’thaveany,hestillwantedacat.Thenheknowthenameofhisvet.”Hewentawayemptyhanded.Shehadtowalkafinelineshedidn’twanttomakeprocesssolaboriousthatpeoplegiveup,yetshedidn’twantkittenstoberightbackintheunhealthysituation.Eventually,shefoundallfivecatshomes.SoshewentbackinJulyandninemorehome.Andsinceshehasfoundthemhomes.EarlierinAugust,itwasanotherandninemorereturnedwithtoEastCounty.OnAug.21,shehadsevencatsherbedroomasafosterHerfather,MattBiasini,hadtwoathishouse.WhilehereffortstofindnewforthecatswillcontinueweekasshegoesbacktotheofFlorida,thosecatsstayforthetimebeinginfosterfamiliesinGainesville.Shehavecatsinherdormroom.ShesaidtheVirginiasituationundercontrolnowasallthe remaining cats are fixed. So it is likely she will be able to concentrate on chemical engineering in the near future.“I’ve been amazed at her success,” Kathleen Biasini said. “She is super dedicated and determined.” If you been hankering for a cat, you can call Ava Biasini at 813-2943053. The age range is between two months and 18 months. Since they are mostly kittens, Ava Biasini said you can’t really tell what their personality will be like when they mature.“Youhave to be willing to love them for who they are,” she said. She especially likes to find homes for the cats with people who have a history of taking rescue pets into their homes. All of the cats have been fixed and are completely healthy, as verified by a vet. The only thing the Biasinis couldn’t afford to do was chip them.

Saving cats just the right thing to do

Photos by Jay Heater Snuffie checks out a visitor from a safe distance at the home of Ava Biasini.

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

Greenfield Plantation’s Ava Biasini holds Chloe. Biasini has found homes for 14 stray cats and she has nine more available.

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Contact Sarasota Memorial’s Thyroid and Parathyroid Center for more information Non Surgical Treatment for Benign Thyroid Nodules New Center Brings Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy to Sarasota Sarasota Memorial Thyroid and Parathyroid Center 1901 Floyd St., Ste. 304, Sarasota, FL 34239 • (941) 262-0500 smhthyroidandparathyroid com 386256-1 Sarasota’s BestVoted One of 28 Years in a Row! BLINDS•SHUTTERS DRAPERIES•WALLCOVERINGS Janet and Curt OwnersMattson Wallcoverings & Blinds, Inc. Since 1989 941-925-7800 mmwallcoveringsblinds.com4801S.TamiamiTrail,SarasotaAcrossfromTheLandings YOUR HunterDESERVESHOMEDouglas! Silhouette Alustra Quartette Operating System PowerView Automation 382865-1 SERVICEFAMOUSVACUUM & SEWING SALE $100 OFF INTERNET PRICES (OR MORE) FOR MOST VACUUMS MULTI-NEEDLESHOWCASE XP2LUMINAIREBROTHER VACUUM & ORECKSEWING www.topsvacuumandsewing.com BEST WAY TO CLEAN WOOD, TILE, LAMINATE, CARPET,AREATERRAZZO,RUGS MULTI-NEEDLESHOWCASETHOUSANDS! HOT SELLERS! 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IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER Lakewood Ranch’s Edelweis Walker wasn’t primarily shopping when the new Publix on State Road 64 in Lake wood Ranch had its opening day on Aug.“They’re18. a great company,” Walker said. “Most people just go to shop (today). I went to observe it all. I lovedOtherit.” customers were just as excited as they entered the newest Lakewood Ranch-area Publix at the corner of State Road 64 and Pope Road.As guests entered the store’s 48,387-square-foot space, they were greeted and applauded by Pub lix staff Walkermembers.saidshe was the first cus tomer in the door that morning, hav ing arrived at 6:30 a.m., half an hour before the opening. “I’m excited for another Publix out east, very close to my home,” sheKarisaid.Edwards, a property man ager for the site’s developer, NAP Southeast LLC, said the frequency of new Publix stores accompanies the growth in the area. “As long as they keep building houses, we will keep building Pub lix,” she said. “Anytime you see a new community on the rise, there’s probably going to be a Publix right next to Edwardsit.” said the six Publix stores in Lakewood Ranch also are due to the company’s positive rela tionship with Schroeder-Manatee Ranch.“They make it easy for us,” she said.Hannah Herring, a media relations manager for Publix, said the newest store was a “natural next location.” The store offers the familiar sta ples Publix customers have come to expect. A Publix Liquors is included beside the store. The location also includes two fea tures which Herring said represent a new prototype for Publix locations. Deli stations are now gathered in a square island in the center of the aisle, instead of placed along the walls.Herring said this arrangement allows for a better flow, so that lines can form on different sides of the station.“It’salso nice to be able to get a peek inside the operation more,” she said.Additionally, the store offers indoor and outdoor mezzanine seat ing, with elevator service.

It’s in the bag — another Publix Ian

PUBLIX AT WHITE

Bradenton’s Jackie Darby said that despite a large amount of Publix locations in the area, “It’s just nice to have one along the way, no matter which direction you’re going.”

Every day 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pharmacy hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday — 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday — 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Location: 13150 S.R. 64 East, Lakewood Ranch Contact: 744-0640 (store), 253-1984 744-0640(pharmacy),(liquor)

StoreEAGLEhours:

ting.ribbontheguestswelcomeswoodstoreRoaditsfortheSchaeffer,JonathanSwabymanagerPublixatnewState64inLake-Ranch,beforeAug.18cut-

SPENCER FORDIN A+E FEDITOR or years, Jeffery Kin made the most of theatrical spaces, milking them for every ounce of drama and pathos. Now he’s using Sarasota’s arts community as a larger canvas, and he’s hop ing to pull the groups together as collabora tors in building a weeklong arts festival. Kin, who calls himself “a theater person with a farmer’s work ethic,” is thinking big, and he’s circling November 2024 as the debut for his still unnamed festival. He’s been laying the groundwork for the past nine months, assembling a group of employees and building a board for the incorporation of Sarasota Rising, his pro duction company. Kin says he plans for his company to be a 501c3 organization as of Oct. 1, and he’s going to spend the next 26 months moving moun tains to give Sarasota its own Art Basel-type event.“We want to drum up cultural tourism. It’s going to start local, then statewide, then the Southeast and then the nation,” he says. “In 10 years, we want this to be an international festival. We will want people to be able to say, ‘We’ve got to be in Sarasota at this time, because we’re going to see stuff that we would never be able to see anywhere else.’”

ABUILDINGBASELFROM SCRATCH

Spencer Fordin Jeffery Kin hopes to use Sarasota as his canvas to build a lasting arts festival.

Kin, who spent 15 years with The Players Centre for Performing Arts, came to this mission organically. He says he was happy in his old role as artistic director for the Play ers when Mark Kauffman of the Downtown Improvement District asked him to help in recruiting a festival director. Kin swished that idea around in his mind and immediately recognized that he’d love the opportunity to create a lasting institu tion. In the past nine months, he’s embarked on what he calls an “arts nourishment,” vis iting festivals all over the country. He went to Sun Fest in West Palm Beach and met with the organizers, where they gave him a behind-the-scenes tour and talked about their growth and development. He volunteered at the Columbus Arts Festival just to see how things get done on a granular level. He went to the Spoleto Festival USA in South Carolina and several other regional events, and he came away convinced that all the ingredients for success are already here. “A festival brings a different vibe to a com munity. A festival really is a celebration of who you are,” he says. “The meat of our fes tival is already here. The meat and potatoes Jeffery Kin spent 15 years developing drama at the Players Centre, and now he’s hoping to build a bigger stage for all of Sarasota’s arts organizations.

SEE FROM SCRATCH, PAGE 12A

AUGUST 25, 2022 ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

— Jeffery Kin

“We really are starting to build this together, knowing that Oct. 1, the start of our second year, we’ll have a board. We’ll put them to work because there’s a lot of work to do in the next two years.” They still have to name the festi val. They have to organize which arts organizations are willing and able to participate and they have to line up all the venues to do that. For now, Kin is working out of his kitchen, and he’s traveling the coun try auditing festivals. Just last week, he went to a Ten nessee Williams Festival in St. Lou is, and he’s prepping for an event in Orlando.Kinmeets once a month with a group he calls his “startup” team. They’ve put together a mission values statement, and they have a logo for Sarasota Rising, but they know the clock is ticking on the way to November 2024.

Rebecca Salter (British, b. 1955), Untitled M13, 1997. Acrylic on canvas, 28 1/2 × 28 1/2 in. Gift of Murray Bring and Kay Delaney Bring, 2020. 2020.12.22 Paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues. Support for this exhibition was provided by Gulf Coast Community Foundation and the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art INFORMATIONEndowment. + TICKETS ringling.org

Kin wants the festival to cast the widest net possible. He wants to include as many arts organizations as possible, from the ones with their own venues to the ones looking for a place to play. He wants to collaborate among organizations to develop unique pro gramming and he wants to take over downtown streets for art fairs. What might that look like? Kin didn’t want to name specific organizations because none of them have committed to be part of the fes tival yet, but he hopes to have a wide sampling of performing arts, and he wants to get the hotels and restau rants and museums involved to bet ter cater to incoming tourists.

“We’re going to start small. It’s not going to be Spoleto overnight,” he says. “But what we really want to do is organize our arts groups so that if they have a space, they’re going to produce something great in the timeline of the festival. “And that’s really all the Festival is. Just do what you do. Be brilliant, be excellent, create something wonder ful in that time frame.” It’s a gigantic vision, and he said the community has been more than receptive.Kinsays he wasn’t sure how many organizations would reply to his questionnaire, but most of them did. They see potential for the festival and want to be a part of it. But there’s still a lot of work to do. Kin says the Downtown Improve ment District is currently weighing whether it can authorize another $100,000 in funding for his venture. He also said Sarasota Rising raised around $225,000 in its first year of existence and he hopes to double that next year. By the time the festival is born, Kin expects it to cost about $1 million to operate.Toarrive at those numbers, Kin hired a consultant named Vern Biatt, a certified festival and event execu tive, to help him plot the event’s future, and he also said that phi lanthropist Ariane Dart of the Dart Family Foundation has been a great resource for him. Now, he says, the festival has to grow into its own footprint. “The timing is perfect,” he says. “The relationship is awesome because she knows how to get stuff done on a large scale, and I know how to pull together an organization.

Spencer Fordin Jeffery Kin says he developed a lot of relationships during his time in Sarasota and hopes to nurture even more through his festival.

“We’re building something from scratch, which is exciting in itself,” he says. “We’re really creating a long-term organization that’s not going to just be a fly-by-night thing. “This is something that we can build on year after year.”

From scratch FROM PAGE 11A

Selections from the Bring Gift and The Ringling Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art As long as there is sun, as long as there is light.

THROUGH JAN 7, 2024 380831-1 are all the great organizations that we all know and love. Large and small. “What we get to do as an organiza tion is be the icing on the cake. We get to bring in a great band, we get to bring in a great dance concert, we get to bring in something unique.” Kin doesn’t want to pull the arts groups under his umbrella; he wants everyone to share in the process. His first benefactor was the Downtown Improvement District, which gave him $100,000 in seed money. Immediately, he had to disappoint them because they wanted the festi val to be in August. That’s just not feasible in Sarasota for a number of reasons including the heat. Some arts organizations are shuttered for the summer due to the lack of snowbird customers. Kin shared a questionnaire with all of the local arts organizations through the Arts and Cultural Alli ance of Sarasota County, and what came back as the best time to hold a festival would be October or Novem ber. That’s when theater and arts organizations are ramping back up here; they wouldn’t have to do any thing beyond share the programming they’re“Let’spreparing.sayThePlayers has a musi cal happening in that time,” he says. “That’s great. That’s all you have to do. What I’m hoping to be able to do is to bring them more customers, to bring them more butts in seats.”

12A EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022 YourObserver.com Zip • ThSwingClimb•SoareGroundIsOverrated BRADENTON www.TreeUmph.com941-219-4457 Work Hard, Play HARDER! * Use promo code LaborDay2022 and save 20% on adventures to climb on Labor Day Weekend. Cannot be combined with any other offer. 20% OFF LABOR DAY WEEKEND* SAVE ON ADVENTURES BOOKED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 3RD - SEPTEMBER 5TH Use Promo Code: LaborDay2022 371534-1

In 2020, The Ringling received a significant gift of art from Murray Bring and Kay Delaney Bring, in support of the modern and contemporary collection. This exhibition presents selections from this gift in dialogue with rarely seen works from The Ringling’s collection.

ENTERTAINMENT+ARTS

“And that’s really all the Festival is. Just do what you do. Be brilliant, be excellent, create something wonderful in that time frame.”

“This is a white tablecloth dinner at a fish house,” he says. “I love all walks of life. I want everybody from the garbage man to the mayor to eat at my restaurant. That’s kind of what we have here. You can have a $40 dinner. And then the husband could have a shrimp dish for 13 bucks. We see that all the time.”

FRESH CATCH: Wallin says that sometimes the fish come directly from the boat to the market, and you won’t just see it in the display case. If you’re there at the right time, you might see a truck roll up with about 600 pounds of snapper. “My dad always said, ‘If you start with the fresh ingredients, you don’t have to worry about all the sauces,’” says“You’reWallin.starting with fresh product. It’s right there. That’s what I’m going to sell my grandmother, my mom and all of my favorite customers.”

SPENCER FORDIN

OWNER BRETT WALLIN Photos by Spencer Fordin CAPTAIN’S PLATTER AT WALT’SMARKETFISH Address: 4144 S. Tamiami Trail Ambiance: Rustic, old-school, Tiki thatched roof. Focus is on the food, not fancy frills. Price: Entrees from $13 to $34 Info: WaltsFishMarketRestaurant.com

— Owner Brett Wallin

FREE FISH DIP: You won’t have to pay for another Walt’s calling card. Right when you sit down, you’ll get a taste of their smoked fish dip, which is a reminder of simpler times gone by. Wallin says that smoked mullet was one of the first things the Wal lins ever sold at Walt’s because they were able to preserve the fish lon ger by smoking it. He says he enjoys giving customers a taste before they even open the menu. “It’s just neat to be able to do that. Even during COVID or inflation,” he says. “It’s a very expensive thing for me to do, but I’m going to continue doing it. I’ll never take it away.”

WHAT’S THE DISH: Walt’s Fish Market has been filling Sarasota bellies with fresh fish for more than 100 years, and there’s one dish on the menu that never falls out of favor. Brett Wallin, the fourth-genera tion owner of Walt’s, said the Cap tain’s Platter, a delectable mix of red snapper filet, lobster tail and sea scallops, is his most popular dish. Most of the time, he doesn’t see people eating it; he sees debris they’ve left behind. “When I’m walking around and talking to people, the only reason I know they ordered the platter is because only the shell of the lobster is left,” he said.

HOW IT’S MADE: The star of this dish is the super-fresh seafood brought in by Wallin’s purveyors, and all three elements are prepared simply with butter and house sea soning.Wallin says the lobster tail, the snapper filet and the scallops all are grilled, and they’re accompanied by garlic parsley potatoes and carrots roasted in honey and garlic.

THE FAMILY BUSINESS: Wallin’s great-grandfather, Claus Wallin, began fishing the Sarasota waters a century ago, and his son Walt Sr., later took over. Walt’s son — Brett Wallin’s dad, Tom Wallin — began working in the fish market from an early age, and he later opened the current location of Walt’s Fish Market on Tamiami Trail. Tom Wallin took over the busi ness from Walt in 1981, and decades later, he would pass it down to his son Brett. Brett Wallin started in the family business as a teenager, and he says he loved it from the start. “I’d take my 30-foot Whaler to school and tie it onto the tree and then go to school,” he says. “I’d come to school wet, smelling like fish because I was spearfishing before. The teachers would call my dad and say, ‘Your kid smells like fish.’ “And he’d say to them, ‘What do you think we do for a living?’”

“The only reason I know they ordered the platter is because only the shell of the lobster is left. Everything else is gone.”

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022 13AYourObserver.com 1001 South Tamiami Trail| Sarasota, FL 34236 | 941.309.4300 ARTMEMBERABECOMEMUSEUM+SHOP + BISTRO Photo: Ryan Gamma Photo: Matt Holler Photo: Rich Schineller THE STUDIOS @ SAM Let’s Make Some SarasotaArtMuseum.org/studios-at-samArt! Photos: Daniel Perales Museum Members receive discounts on Studios at SAM classes, Bistro, and SHOP. SarasotaArtMuseum.org/Membership FALL REGISTRATION IS OPEN! 382226-1 SALESTOREWIDE PLUS, TAKE UP TO 10% AND MORE OFF THE SALE PRICE of our most popular sofas in glove soft leather* SAVE $400 ON ONE OF OUR MOST SOUGHT-AFTER RECLINERS* STRESSLESS®WING CLASSICSIGNATUREBASEBASE LEG COMFORTBASEimportscopenhagen 7211 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, Florida 34231 *See Sales Associate for Details Mon.-Sat. 10-6 • Sun. 12-5 copenhagen-imports.com941-923-2569 FURNITURE + LIGHTING + ACCENTS + INTERIOR DESIGN LaborPre-Day 386281-1 DISTINCTIVE DISHES An occasional series on signature dishes from local restaurants.

THIS WEEK DON’T MISS THE JERSEY TENORS PART II They’re a tough ticket. But they’re staying longer due to popular demand. The Jersey Tenors Part II have taken Florida Studio Theatre by storm, and they’ll keep crooning through Sept. 18. They’ll sing opera classics mashed up with rock staples, and since they’re from New Jersey, you can count on a little Bon Jovi. IF YOU GO When: 9 p.m., Aug. 25 Where: Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 Palm Ave. Tickets: $37.50 Info: FloridaStudioTheatre.org. ENTERTAINMENT+ARTS

MUSIC’SFRIDAYMASTERPIECES

VINAY DESAI WITH SHANKH LAHIRI 8 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court $20 members, $22 nonmembers, $10 ofstanitheawillmance.itsKashmir,mentsantoor?ButSure,VisitstudentsWSLR.org/Fogartyvilleyou’veheardofthesitar.whatdoyouknowabouttheThis100-stringedinstru-hasitsoriginsinthevalleysofandVinayDesaiwillexploresoundsaspartofthisperfor-Thesoundsofthesantoorbesupplementedbythetabla,pairofdrumsthathaveservedasprincipalpercussioninHindu-classicalmusicforhundredsyears.

6 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. $5, registration required Visit HermitageArtistRetreat.org.

KATRINASATURDAYCOOMBS: I M(O)THER 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail Free with museum admission

14A EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022 YourObserver.com OUR SHOWROOMS ARE OPEN Special Financing Available 1734 South Tamiami Trail Venice, FL 941.493.744134293 4551 N. Washington Blvd. Sarasota, FL 941.355.843734234 2510 1st Street West Bradenton, FL 34208 941.748.4679www.manasotaonline.com 385006-1 Jared Salzman REALTORPAYsavewithjared.com941-718-1770 LESS TO SELL YOUR HOME Only 2-4% Commission 384534-1 CLEAR THE SHELTERS AUGUST 1 - AUGUST 31 COME FOREVERYOURADOPTNEXTFRIEND! 379611-1 During this time we will be offering $25 off all adoptions, Donate now at catdepot.org to support all the kitties we care for and help! 941-366-2404 | 2542 17th St., Sarasota, FL 34234 | www.catdepot.org ALTHURSDAYERNST 7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd. Visit$25 McCurdysComedy.com He might have made you laugh at sea or on your couch. Al Ernst’s bio boasts that he has been named the Carnival Cruise Lines’ “Entertainer of the Year,” and he’s toured the country for 15 years. Ernst prides himself in being a clean comic, so get ready to laugh sans profanity.

Documentarian and Hermitage Fellow Hilan Warshaw will bring you the stories behind some of classical music’s most famous compositions and composers. Warshaw has sought to breathe new life into the legends of operatic creators such as Wagner, Schoenberg, Berg, Bach and Mahler, and he’ll share excerpts from his films as part of his Hermitage lecture.

METADATA: PHOTOGRAPHYRETHINKINGFROMTHE 21ST CENTURY 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road Free with museum admission Visit Ringling.org.

Visit bothwomanagedArtmanybasedcontemporarythework.youKatrinaSarasotaArtMuseum.org.Coombsdoesn’tjustwanttoappreciateherartandhandi-Shewantsyoutothinkaboutroleofwomenintraditionalandsociety.ThisJamaica-fiberartistwovebyhandofthepiecesinthisSarasotaMuseumexhibit,andshe’sman-todistillherexperienceasainthemodernworldintermsspiritualandsensual.

It’s your last chance to see this photography exhibit, which opened in March and will close on Aug. 28. The exhibit features works from international photographers over the last decade, and it seeks to better understand the information behind indelible images.

QUICKTUESDAYANDEASY BECAUSE YOU’RE BUSY 6 p.m. at Publix Aprons Cooking School, 2875 University Parkway Visit$55 notandpotatoabake,sausagelikeshowPublixsomethingthinkdedicatedThiscom.ApronsCookingSchool.Publix.hands-oncookingclassistothepeoplewhodon’ttheyhavethetimetomakedelicious.ThechefsatApronsCookingSchoolwillyouhowyoucanmakethingsasimplebeefstroganoff,smokyandcheesyvegetableskilletacrunchychickensaladandshreddedpork,cornandgarlicbowl.Bringyourbestattitudeyourappetite,becauseyou’llbejustcookingbuteating.

OPEN BAR COMEDY 7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd. Visit$25 ColonComediansMcCurdysComedy.comKrisShaw,MiguelandSalDemiliowon’tjust be speaking to the McCurdy’s Comedy crowd; they’ll be speaking for posterity. These shows are being recorded for OpenBarComedy.com and will be released later this year on a variety of platforms.

OUR PICK FLORA IMAGINARIA We’ve all done it. You see a beautiful flower bursting with color and beauty and you feel like you need to take a photo of it. But what you might not realize is that instinct has existed as long as the field of photography. William A. Ewing literally wrote the book on the history of flowers in photography, and he’s come back decades later to re-assess the field since he studied it. You’ll see work from international artists of great renown produced through many different methods, and you’ll see them both inside and outside.

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022 15AYourObserver.com SarasotaJungleGardens.com • 941.355.5305 Plan an Unforgettable Sarasota's Favorite Family Attraction® Field Trip! Bring your students, class, family gatherings, church or other group for an exciting, hands-on adventure! To learn more or to book your field trip, visit EducationalSarasotaJungleGardens.com/field-tripsShows•Up-CloseAnimalInteractionsSpecialGroups-OnlyShows•DiscountedPricing Book Your Group Today! 381559-1 387114-1 941.351.8000 asolorep.org SIX-SHOW AND FLEX SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE ON SALE NOW! Subscribers Get Great Benefits: • Guaranteed Seating • Best Pricing • Fee-Free Ticket Exchanges • Savings on Additional Tickets 387307-1 WE’RE DOOMED 7:30 p.m. at Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St. overshapesmakesfunny,atcastencemovieDoomed”troupeofter,YouVisit$12-$15FloridaStudioTheatre.org.gettochooseyourowndisas-andthetalentedpractitionersFloridaStudioTheatre’simprovwillliveitoutforyou.“We’reisanimproviseddisasterthatstartsoutwiththeaudi-choosingasuitabletitle.Thewilltakewhateveryouthrowthemandfindawaytomakeitandthey’lldoitinawaythatyouappreciatethemanyadisastermoviehastakenthelastfewdecades. FEATUREDSUNDAYARTIST FOR AUGUST: LARRY PAUL 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes FreeBeachwith museum admission Visit IslandGalleryWest.com.

Island Gallery West is preparing for a changing of the art. This is the final week to take in the work of painter Larry Paul, who celebrates the bright vistas of life on Anna Maria Island. Shirley Rush Dean will be the gallery’s featured artist for September, and the walls will undergo a transformation to make room for her work.

IF YOU GO When: Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: Selby Gardens, 1534 Mound St. Tickets: Free with museum admission Info: Selby.org

16A EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022 YourObserver.com KATINA SHANAHAN, PLLC Katina.Shanahan@CBRealty.com941.702.0437 KENNETH SHANAHAN, PLLC Kenneth.Shanahan@CBRealty.com941.702.0443 HOLLY PASCARELLA, PA Holly.Pascarella@CBRealty.com941.225.3218 P.S. The Key to Your Real Estate Success CONTACT US TODAY to Discuss Your 2022 Homeownership Goals MILLIONOVER$67 PENDING AND SOLD IN 2022 TOP 1 % OF AGENTS IN ANDMANATEESARASOTACOUNTIES HOMES600+ SOLD LAKEWOODlNRANCH 379773-1

The kickoff event is to gear up for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer race Oct. 22 at Nathan Bend erson Park in “EverybodySarasota.hascompassion for it, everybody understands it, every body knows the need, but maybe my story about how it really affected me directly will be helpful,” Imre said. “There’s the quote: ‘People will for get what you said, people will forget what you did but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ If I can make them feel like they have power by supporting the American Cancer Society, that’s my goal.”

LIZ RAMOS STAFF PWRITER eople say laughter is the best medicine.ForLakewood Ranch’s Allison Imre, the idiom couldn’t be more true. When her sister, Jennifer ImreJustus, was in the hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, going through treat ment for breast cancer, the sisters depended on laughter to get through the toughest Imre-Justusmoments.wasdiagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2019. They spent the holidays in 2020 at the hospital. “After chemo, her fingernails and toenails started popping off ran domly,” Imre said. “We would joke that the Elf on the Shelf was actually a tiny sniper that was locked in on her fingernails and toenails. Every time one popped off, that was the Elf on the Shelf.” Imre said everyone has a different way of coping, and for her family, it was“Laughterlaughter. is life, and so it gives and brings hope,” Imre said. “It’s one thing to be educated (about cancer) and to have the support, but you have to be present and practical. You also have to not let it own you, and that’s where laughter comes in. Laughter is veryImrepowerful.”willshare her sister’s story and her own story of being a can cer survivor at the American Cancer Society’s kickoff to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. The kickoff event is Aug. 25 at the RitzCarlton in Sarasota. “When you have breast cancer, the diagnosis is one thing, it just takes the air out of your lungs,” Imre said. “But then there’s the treatment, and the treatment is so intrusive that even when you beat cancer, you still have to deal with the side effects. Watching her go through it has led me to really want to have an impact as much as possible.”

The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk is at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 22 at Nathan Benderson Park. To donate, sign up for the race or dedicate a Against-Breast-CancerFundraise/Making-Strides-Cancer.org/Involved/tribute, Courtesy photos Kansas City’s Jennifer Imre-Justus and her, sister Allison Imre, of Lakewood Ranch, hope to inspire others to support the American Cancer Society. Both sisters, shown at a Chiefs game in Kansas City, are cancer survivors.

“I honestly don’t know if I would have been able to function without (the resources of the American Can cer Society),” Imre said.

When Imre-Justus was first diag nosed, it reminded Imre of when she was 4 years old sitting in the hospital at the bedside of her grandmother, Anna Hammer-Smith, who was bat tling breast cancer. Hammer-Smith died from breast cancer. Imre-Justus’ journey with breast cancer came with uncertainty at every stage, Imre said. “They’ll do the scans and they think it’s one thing, and then they do the biopsy and they find out it’s another thing,” Imre said. “Then they do surgery, and still, again, the goalposts move one more time. It’s a journey of discovery and two steps forward, one step back until you ring that darn Imre-Justusbell.”had a double mastec tomy, radiation and chemotherapy. But in June 2021, Imre watched as her sister rang the bell, signifying she was one year cancer-free. “It was invigorating,” Imre said. “There were so many people there I had never seen, (who) she didn’t know from Adam, but you ring that bell and everybody knows what it is and everybody celebrates togeth er. It brings hope to more than just the person who’s yanking the cord. Everybody who hears that bell can see themselves in those shoes. It was wonderful to watch that glimmer, that excitement, that support come from a roomful of strangers.” Now Imre does whatever she can to support the American Cancer Society.“There’s two options when you hear the word ‘cancer,’ ” Imre said. “You can either crumble and suc cumb, or you stand up and fight. That’s why the work of the Ameri can Cancer Society is so important. While they might not be as known for being boots on the ground and standing in hospital rooms with patients and survivors, they are the ones behind the scenes funding all the research and all the technological advancement that has increased the survivability rate astronomically.”

Although Imre had donated to the American Cancer Society in the past, she didn’t see the organization’s true impact until her diagnosis. Her medical care providers and surgical team put her in touch with resources through the American Cancer Society in case she wanted to speak with someone to understand the impact of having cancer.

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YOUR NEIGHBORS AUGUST 25, 2022 Classifieds 13B Games 12B Real Estate 7B Sports 9B Weather 12B

Imre-Justus’ breast cancer diag nosis came four years after Imre was diagnosed with stage three kidney cancer in November 2015. Imre remembers the day she was diagnosed and the night leading up to it like it was yesterday. Imre, a huge Kansas City Roy als fan, was celebrating her favorite team winning the World Series in game“Thatseven.night, I got so ill that I had to go to the hospital,” Imre said. “It turned out that I was diagnosed the next day with stage three kid ney cancer. I had no idea I was sick. When you hear the word ‘cancer,’ time stops. My son had just turned 1 year old and I was very busy in my career, but boy, howdy, it makes you shuffle every priority in your life.” The only option Imre had was to have the cancer surgically removed. So 15 days after her diagnosis, she was in an operating room. Imre said her doctor brought in a transplant surgeon just in case they had to take her whole kidney. “They cut me in half like a magic trick and removed the tumor, which was about the size of a pear, and only had to remove part of my kidney,” Imre said. “When people see the scar nowadays, I just tell them I was bit by a Imreshark.”has been free of cancer ever since her surgery. “It was like I had a new lease on life,” Imre said. “It makes you enjoy every moment just a little bit more.”

Jennifer Imre-Justus has been free of cancer since 2021. Her sister, Allison Imre, will share their stories at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer kick off.

MAKING STRIDES WITH LAUGHTER

“It was like I had a new lease on life. It makes you enjoy momenteveryjust a little bit more.” — Allison Imre Lakewood Ranch’s Allison Imre attends the 2020 Super Bowl with her sister, Jennifer Imre-Justus and David Perkowski.

GET INVOLVED

Allison Imre will share her and her sister’s cancer survival stories Aug. 25 to promote the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.

Photos by Liz Ramos Englewood’s Deanna Blauer gives it her all during her race. Blauer has been paddleboarding since 2011. Ellenton’s Linda Engle and her daughter, Lexis Engle, volunteer with Sarasota’s Bob Heaton. Lexis Engle is competing in the Stand-up Paddleboard Championships for the first time.

Sarasota’s Bob Heaton has been volunteering for the Special Olympics for 22 years, mainly at events held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. He loves being able to volunteer close to home at Nathan Benderson Park. “I’m inspired by these athletes with their enthusiasm, the wonderful looks they have on their faces, the fact they help each other,” Heaton said. “It’s wonderful to see them out there giving it their all, and they are very good athletes.”

Bradenton’s Marc Acquaro paddled intensely toward the finish line at Nathan Benderson Park. Although his race in the Special Olympics Stand-up Paddleboard Championships was more difficult due to the wind, he still had a great time. “It feels good,” Acquaro said after finishing his race, which drained all his energy. Dozens of fellow participants, their families, volunteers and Special Olympics staff members cheered for each of the competitors throughout the competition which was Aug. 19-20.

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Stand up and cheer

— LIZ RAMOS

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022 3BYourObserver.com 232 Manatee Ave E | Bradenton, FL 34208 941-254-4957

• Varieties of Nerve Pain – Most common are narrowing of the spinal canal and sciatica. Arthritis of the spine can cause narrowing of the spinal canal, and a herniated disc can put pressure on nerve roots, which leads to burning, cramping leg pain with standing or sitting. Additional symptoms include numbness, tingling, fatigue, and weakness. Pain typically begins in the back or hip and extends down the back side of the leg. Treatment requires a combination of physical therapy, stretching, antiinflammatory medication, or surgery. Diabetic neuropathy occurs when nerves in the legs are damaged from chronically elevated blood sugar levels causing pain in both legs with eventual numbness and loss of sensation.

A New Look, A New Life

Bradenton’s Marc Acquaro crosses the finish line with pride. “It feels good,” Acquaro says about Mick Blauer cheers daughter Deanna Blauer, as she makes her way around the lake. “I always love watching her compete,” Blauer says.

Many reasons exist for leg pain. The lower part of our legs bears the burden of daily activities and can’t always live up to these tasks for myriad reasons. Here are a few:

and Mention the Observer for a

“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.” Before After “This surgery helped me get my life back.”

competing.Englewood’s

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Seminole County’s David Cowan competes in his first Special Olympics Stand-up Paddleboard Championship with his friend, Chad Vanscoter, who is from Orange County. Vanscote is participating in his fifth championship.

Patient gets her life back after weight loss surgery

Flagler County’s David Tambini runs past the finish line with his paddle above his head to celebrate.

Oneandahalfyearsafterroboticsleevegastrectomy(“gastricsleeve”)surgery*atManateeMemorialHospital®,JailynDrebes,39,lost190poundsandreferstoherhealthandherlifenowas“amazing.”Shetriedcountlessdietsovertheyears,butnoneseemedtokeeptheweightoff.Jailynsaysshe“didn’tfeelpretty,didn’tlookgoodinclothesanddidn’tfeelgoodaboutmyself.”

• Shin splints – Muscles and skin along the edge of shin become inflamed, which causes pain with walking, running, or jumping. It’s often caused by repetitive activity on a hard surface, or by having flat or turned out feet. Rest, ice, and Ibuprofen are the most common treatments and should be followed by stretching, wearing comfortable shoes, and avoiding running on hard surfaces.

you. With

• Vein Disease – Legs can hurt from varicose vein and chronic venous insufficiency, too. Dark blue, twisted veins near the skin surface result from weak vein walls and malfunctioning valves. Some of the causes are genetics, obesity, hormones, and prolonged standing or sitting. Pooling blood can compress the nerves resulting in leg fatigue, cramping, swelling, skin color changes, unexplained itching, and restless leg symptoms. Left untreated, vein disease progresses at 4% per year.

If you feel your leg pain is caused by vein disease, or to rule it out, contact Florida Lakes Vein Center for a free vein screening. It’s a No Veiner!SM 9114 Town Center Pkwy Suite 101 Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

• Muscle Cramps – Cramps occur during sleep or in the middle of the day and are a sudden, intense, cramping pain (Charley horse) that occurs when muscles are fatigued or dehydrated. It’s a sign you need to drink more water, but relief can be found with massage or gentle stretching.

374583-1 sponsored content Florida Lakes Vein Center offers appointments in Lakewood Ranch

Jailyn Drebes Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy Patient

Vein

Find common

• Lower-Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease – Occurs when the arteries in the legs become damaged and hardened. When arteries are calcified with plaque, they can narrow or become blocked which prevents the legs from receiving oxygenated blood. In the early stages, the pain can be relieved with rest. Risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, uncontrolled diabetes, morbid obesity, and tobacco use. Lifestyle change is the best prevention. If all else fails, you may need surgery to improve blood flow to the leg.

and

“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.”

WHY DO MY LEGS HURT? There are many reasons – here are a few. 375082-1

*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 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.

By Adam N. Phillips, D.O., Board Certified General Surgeon & Vein Specialist Am I at Risk for Vein Disease? risks symptoms floridalakesveincenter.comat

• Tendinitis – Pain in the lower calf, which can be related to inflammation of Achilles tendon, is typically the result of an overworked calf muscle or climbing stairs. Again, ice and antiinflammatory medications are best, followed by appropriate stretching.

Find inspiration from more stories like Jailyn’s at msaweightloss.com Tuesdays & Thursdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Call FREE Screening. 941.866.8989

4B EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022 YourObserver.com Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. Property information herein is derived from various sources including, but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate 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. Gloria Bracciano Global Real Estate Advisor Gloria.Bracciano@PremierSIR.com941.229.4000 Call me today for a complimentary consultation. Providing concierge service and extensive knowledge of the Suncoast “Gloria made the sale a seamless process. There was nothing too big or too small that she didn’t handle — and always cheerfully.” Donna S. PremierSothebysRealty.com Just Listed 6903 WESTCHESTER CIRCLE | LAKEWOOD RANCH COUNTRY CLUB $2,450,000 | 4 BR, 3.5 BA, 4,264 SF Just Listed 16112 KENDLESHIRE TERRACE | COUNTRY CLUB EAST $2,215,000 | 3 BR PLUS DEN, 4.5 BA, 3,108 SF 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! SUMMER STROLL: Buddies Cody (left) and Bailey (right) share a summer stroll on the Summerfield route to the dog park in Lakewood Ranch. IT’S READ Bring the Observer with you on your next trip! Go to yourobserver.com and click on the Contest tab. Click the It’s Read Everywhere Contest and submit your photo! 387349-1

Jim Makes Room for His Best Self

Make Room For Life 386580-1

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.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 31 WALKING GROUP Begins at 8 a.m. at Bob Gardner Community Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Join this Lakewood Ranch Community Activities session for a casual walk around the park. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

SUNDAY, AUG. 28 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 activi ties and live music. For more informa tion, go to MyLWR.com.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 31 THROUGH SATURDAY, SEPT. 3 BOOK SALE Runs from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Braden River Library, 4915 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton. Friends of the Braden River Library is hosting its annual used book sale. Proceeds from the event pay for equipment, such as 3D printers and supplies. For more information, call 727-6079 FRIDAY, SEPT. 2 MUSIC ON MAIN Runs from 6-9 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. Music on Main features the band Frequency M, a top 40 cover band that will keep you dancing. At the opposite end of the street will be a DJ that will spin cool tunes as well. As always, the free block party features food vendors, beer trucks, sponsor booths and plenty of kids games and rides. Proceeds benefit Birds of Paradise. 26 AND SATURDAY, AUG. MUSIC27AT THE PLAZA Runs from 6-9 p.m. both days at Waterside Place, 1561 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. Taylor Opie 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 Frankie Lombardi provides the entertainment. For more information, go to WatersidePlace.com.

BEST FRIDAY,BETAUG.

FAB & FIT CLASS Begins at 9 a.m. at the Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota, in the Macy’s Court. A free Fab & Fit Class: Jazzercise will offer 60 minutes of pulse-pounding, beat-pumping, body-blasting fitness. For more information, contact Karen Schrol at karen7881@gmail.com.

CALENDARYOUR

SATURDAY,COMMUNITYAUG. 27 NEW PADDLER DAY Begins at 9:30 a.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Those new to paddling are welcome to try a free introductory lesson with the world-champion dragon boat team at Benderson Park. Registration is required for this event. The registration form can be found at NathanBendersonPark.org. For more information, call 358-7275.

Courtesy photo Frankie Lombardi plays at Waterside Place Aug. 27.

After injuries led to persistent weight gain, Jim felt like he wasn’t himself anymore. That’s when he turned to the Sarasota Memorial Bariatric & Metabolic Health Center. Today, Jim’s biking the Legacy Trail three times a week and making plans to travel the world with his wife. Not just back to his old self, he’s out there being his best self.

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022 5BYourObserver.com Limited Inventory Available Reserve your home site today! Sales Center Open 7 Days a Week Call to schedule a private tour or a virtual showing! (855) 273-2306 an Age-Qualified Community | 101 Amsterdam Avenue | Ellenton, FL 34222 EQUALHOUSING Home details apply to specific homes only, and are subject to change without notice. Must meet residency requirements. Additional restrictions may apply, see associate for full details. Homes are selling fast! Act now to secure your new home in this resort-style community. Private Marina • Pickleball Courts • 6 Swimming Pools 5 Clubhouses • 2 Fitness Centers • On-site Dog Park Riverside Pavilion Open floor plans • Low Maintenance Lifestyle • Exclusive Amenities 385192-1 Are you ready to make a change? Learn more about bariatric surgery and our board-certified First Physicians Group surgeons by calling (941) 917-4753, or visit smhbariatrics.com.

6B EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022 YourObserver.com CORTEZ 12925 42nd Terrace W 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 5,138 Sq. Ft. Joanna Benante & Ann Martin 941-356-7717 A4537365 $4,200,000 BRADENTON 20706 79th Avenue E 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 5,077 Sq. Ft. Chris 941-735-4713Baylis A4531620 $3,500,000 BRADENTON 8435 Lindrick Lane 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 4,893 Sq. Ft. Stacy 941-587-4359Haas A4539533 $3,550,000 BRADENTON 6000 Riverview Boulevard 5 Beds 4/1 Baths 7,383 Sq. Ft. Gregory Zies & Kathy Valente 941-779-3081 A4538981 $4,500,000 LAKEWOOD RANCH 7959 Matera Court 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,988 Sq. Ft. Deborah Angelo O'Mara 941-730-0777 A4542529 $2,249,000 BRADENTON 677 Regatta Way 3 Beds 3 Baths 3,045 Sq. Ft. Sandi 941-704-0697Dietrich A4537935 $2,350,000 LAKEWOOD RANCH 7504 Coventry Court 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,870 Sq. Ft. Jamie Van Vliet & Christopher Van Vliet 941-993-8996 A4544241 $1,350,000 LAKEWOOD RANCH 7528 Greystone Street 3 Beds 3 Baths 3,058 Sq. Ft. Tina 941-685-8420Ciaccio A4542384 $1,925,000 BRADENTON 5016 Mangrove Point Road 4 Beds 2 Baths 1,838 Sq. Ft. Kathy Valente & Gregory Zies, LLC 941-685-6767 A4538298 $995,000 BRADENTON 5445 46th Court W 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,719 Sq. Ft. Adam 941-812-0791Cuffaro A4544092 $995,000 LAKEWOOD RANCH 13651 American Prairie Place 4 Beds 3 Baths 3,017 Sq. Ft. Stacy 941-587-4359Haas A4541881 $925,000 BRADENTON 3911 Plumosa Terrace 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,820 Sq. Ft. Kim Galway & Jody Shinn 941-462-9895 A4538211 $900,000 BRADENTON 2112 51st Street W 4 Beds 3 Baths 3,805 Sq. Ft. Jodene 941-302-4913MoneuseA4529879 $895,000 PALMETTO 802 25Th Avenue W 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,440 Sq. Ft. Megg Faillace & Ralph Faillace 941-713-9144 A4544807 $1,300,000 BRADENTON 1804 45th Street Court E 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,519 Sq. Ft. Diane Fogo 941-445-2431HarterA4540510 $1,150,000 LAKEWOOD RANCH 14710 Leopard Creek Place 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,559 Sq. Ft. Heather 941-720-1526SniffenA4541963 $1,100,000 BRADENTON 14205 Flat Woods Terrace 6 Beds 4/1 Baths 3,899 Sq. Ft. Stacy 941-266-0529Hanan A4538218 $1,095,000 BRADENTON 3712 Plumosa Terrace 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,980 Sq. Ft. Judy 941-504-3792LaValliere A4539713 $1,050,000 LAKEWOOD RANCH 6708 64th Place E 4 Beds 2 Baths 2,073 Sq. Ft. Pat 941-685-5805Rodriguez A4543035 $617,000 BRADENTON 839 Rosemary Circle 4 Beds 2 Baths 1,832 Sq. Ft. Debbie 941-705-3328Vogler A4538958 $589,000 PALMETTO 10425 Macfarlane Place 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,403 Sq. Ft. Patty 941-545-1194Brooks A4544361 $575,000 LAKEWOOD RANCH 5007 28th Court E 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,678 Sq. Ft. Pamela 614-632-2801Miller A4524632 $499,000 BRADENTON 15737 High Bell Place 5 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,868 Sq. Ft. Stacy 941-266-0529Hanan A4533236 $499,000 PARRISH 14711 20th Street E 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,336 Sq. Ft. Victoria 941-544-6734BeckhamA4544314 $849,999 CORTEZ 3045 Mariners Cove Drive 112 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,762 Sq. Ft. Kathy 941-900-9828Harman A4543313 $750,000 LAKEWOOD RANCH 7349 Wexford Court 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,562 Sq. Ft. Stacy 941-587-4359Haas A4543823 $675,000 BRADENTON 2512 Starwood Court 2 Beds 2 Baths 2,112 Sq. Ft. Carroll 813-727-1630Couri A4544469 $675,000 BRADENTON 12726 Coastal Breeze Way 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,766 Sq. Ft. Mackenzie Longueuil & Pat Mudgett 941-961-4023 A4540776 $649,000 888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM 379155-1

RIVER PLACE Carl and Adrienne Schaney, of Placida, sold their home at 6914 73rd Court E. to Geoffrey Arthur Pankau, of Cypress, California, for $999,900. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 4,223 square feet of living area. It sold for $585,000 in 2019.

Bradley Gavelek sold the home at 17033 Polo Trail to James and Amanda Mullins, of Bradenton, for $785,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,353 square feet of living area. It sold for $600,000 in 2021.

GREENFIELD PLANTATION Peggy Koons, of St. Mary’s Georgia, sold the home at 9622 Bladesmith Lane to Todd and Denise Brennan, of Bradenton, for $620,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,517 square feet of living area. It sold for $372,000 in 2019.

TRANSACTIONSREALRESIDENTIALESTATE AUG.SEE8-12REAL

ESTATEREAL

SUMMERFIELD Dolores Dorgan sold her home at 11210 Marigold Drive to John and COUNTRY CLUB Michael and Kathleen Raynor, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 13309 Matanzas Place to Deborah Vincent, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1,555,000. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two-and-two-half baths, a pool and 2,866 square feet of living area. Mary Wood Weill, trustee, of Royal Oak, Michigan, sold the home at 6828 Bay Hill Drive to Stephen Marshall Bull and Susan Cassidy Bull, of Lakewood Ranch, for $730,000. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, two-and-two-half baths and 2,511 square feet of living area. It sold for $330,000 in 2019. Ramsea LLC sold the home at 7805 Troon Court to Janice Fisher, of Montague, Michigan, for $665,000. Built in 1999, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,564 square feet of living area. It sold for $568,000 in February.

GREENBROOK B. Kent and Earlene Biggerstaff, of Bradenton, sold their home at 6410 Royal Tern Circle to William and Mary Gregg, of Lakewood Ranch, for $670,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,973 square feet of living area. It sold for $300,000 in 2014.

COACH HOMES AT LAKEWOOD NATIONAL Yolanda Dwyer, of Lakewood Ranch, sold her Unit 2511 condominium at 5940 Wake Forest Run to Christopher Spofford, of Bradenton, for $650,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,786 square feet of living area. It sold for $322,000 in 2020.

GREYHAWK LANDING Patricia Littlejohn, of Parrish, sold the home at 13116 Harriers Place to Dennis and Brenda Edmonds, of Bradenton, for $1.1 million. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,514 square feet of living area. It sold for $348,600 in Peter2013.Marron, trustee, of Bradenton, sold the home at 12667 Cara Cara Loop to Peter Marron Jr. and Elyse O’Neill, of Lakewood Ranch, for $520,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,251 square feet of living area. It sold for $258,900 in 2004.

MILL CREEK Benjamin and Stephanie Ziskal, of Auburndale, sold their home at 13622 Second Ave. N.E. to Amanda and Ross Sheehan, of Bradenton, for $710,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,463 square feet of living area. It sold for $425,000 in 2019.

LakeHouse Cove home tops sales at $3 million

HERITAGE HARBOUR Ryan and Nicole Hebl, of Bradenton, sold their home at 6521 Willowshire Way to Larry Matthews, of Bradenton, for $639,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,006 square feet of living area. It sold for $325,000 in 2017.

ROSEDALE Dale and Eileen Nunnelley sold their home at 8708 51st Terrace E. to Thomas and Nancy Cerniglia, of Bradenton, for $720,000. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,164 square feet of living area. It sold for $371,000 in Karyn2019.Louise Wild, of Friendswood, Texas, sold the home at 8715 51st Terrace E. to Edward and Jodie Mench, of Lakewood Ranch, for $690,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,101 square feet of living area. It sold for $415,000 in 2019.

ROSEDALE ADDITION Paul and Kathleen Jacobi, of Milford, Connecticut, sold their home at 4724 Royal Dornoch Circle to Vincent Bonetti and Julie Kay Bonetti, of Bradenton, for $775,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,217 square feet of living area. It sold for $405,000 in 2020.

SERENITY CREEK Tim and Karen Horn, of Bradenton, sold their home at 12941 Bliss Loop to Christopher James Olson and Elizabeth Leigh Olson, of Bradenton, for $899,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,684 square feet of living area. It sold for $449,300 in 2015.

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR Ahome in LakeHouse Cove at Waterside topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. Richard Hackel and Lynn Dee Hackel, of Sarasota, sold their home at 793 Crosswind Ave. to Barbara Schulman, trustee, of Sarasota, for $3 million. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, four-anda-half baths, a pool and 4,274 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,790,200 in 2018.

COUNTRY CLUB EAST Amir and Mietra Harandi sold their home at 14722 Secret Harbor Place to John and Roxanne Wurtzbacher, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1,325,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,461 square feet of living area. It sold for $740,000 in 2017.

POLO RUN Karvna and Calvin Tran, of Bradenton, sold their home at 17912 Polo Trail to Brian Hansen and Tina Louise Michels-Hansen, of Bradenton, for $900,000. Built in 2020, it has six bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 3,908 square feet of living area. It sold for $477,300 in 2020.

ESTATE, PAGE 8B Liz Ramos This LakeHouse Cove at Waterside home at 793 Crosswind Ave. sold for $3 million. It has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,274 square feet of living area.

STONEYBROOK AT HERITAGE HARBOUR John and Karen Hammersmith, of Bradenton, sold their home at 7510 Camden Harbour Drive to Marian Piecek, of Lemont, Illinois, for $905,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,021 square feet of living area. It sold for $499,000 in 2020.

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COACH HOMES AT RIVER STRAND Mark and Carol Ann Chadwick, of Bradenton, sold their Unit 6204 condominium at 6806 Grand Estuary Trail to Purchasing Fund 2020-1 LLC for $530,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,786 square feet of living area. It sold for $253,000 in 2017.

TARA Phyllis Childers and Judith Ann Keenan sold their home at 6895 Tailfeather Way to Vebe Lynne Sambuco and Frank Sambuco II, of Gainesville, Virginia, for $600,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,287 square feet of living area. It sold for $412,000 in 2018.

EDGEWATER Andre Charbit, of Le Castellet, France, sold his home at 8478 Idlewood Court to Yolanda Dwyer, of Lakewood Ranch, for $590,000. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,884 square feet of living area. It sold for $310,000 in 2019.

Tabitha Alexakis, of Lakewood Ranch, for $605,000. Built in 1997, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,245 square feet of living area.

WOODBROOK John and Ann Yockey, of Sarasota, sold their home at 4725 Silvermoss Drive to Glenn and Michelle Hayhurst, of Fenton, Missouri, for $585,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,199 square feet of living area.

WATERLEFE Jerome and Linda Daly sold their home at 608 Misty Pond Court to Alan Hewitt and Jo Ann Miller, of Bradenton, for $575,000. Built in 2000, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 2,420 square feet of living area. It sold for $362,000 in 2020.

8B EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022 YourObserver.com

INDIGO Thomas and Yadira Roback, of Bradenton, sold their home at 13004 Deep Blu Place to Ravindra Pratap Singh and Annie Tuong Oanh Troung, trustees, of Bradenton, for $520,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,642 square feet of living area. It sold for $298,700 in 2017.

CARLYLE AT THE VILLAGES OF PALM AIRE David and Cheryl Bennett, of Louisville, Kentucky, sold their home at 4984 Creekside Trail to Michael and Rosemary Sieben, of Sarasota, for $550,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,022 square feet of living area. It sold for $342,000 in 2018.

MANDALAY Darlene Batten, of Okawville, Illinois, sold the home at 4520 62nd Ave. E. to Bryan and Maureen Bryfeznski and Anthony and Cory Schmidt, of Oneida, Wisconsin, for $550,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,295 square feet of living area. It sold for $395,000 in 2020.

MALLORY PARK Charlene Carbone, of Duette, sold her home at 12110 Seabrook Ave. to Christopher and Jennifer Kalis, of Bradenotn, for $535,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,979 square feet of living area. It sold for $365,900 in 2020.

LAKE VISTA RESIDENCES Mary and Frank Lamendola, trustees, of Bradenton, sold the Unit E-404 condominium at 7612 Lake Vista Court to Michael and Deborah Leaf, of Bradenton, for $525,000. Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,762 square feet of living area. It sold for $340,000 in 2015.

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RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR In 2022, things can only go up for The Out-of-Door Academy foot ballEverythingteam. went wrong for ODA in 2021 under Head Coach Jon Haskins, who lasted just one season. The Thunder suffered numerous injuries to its offensive line, which forced the team to cancel multiple games. In the five ODA did play, it went 0-5 and was outscored 130-27. Enter Rob Hollway, a coach with a history of past success. Hollway, a former player at the University of Wyoming, earned the 2016 Inde pendent Football Coach of the Year award from the Florida Athletic Coaches Association after leading All Saints’ Academy to its first Sun shine State Athletic Conference state championship win, 25-16 over Can terburyWhenHigh.Hollway was hired at ODA in March, he said he wanted to end the cycle of instability that has plagued the program, which has now had four head coaches in four years. Hollway is aware of the issues ODA had with linemen in 2021 and is taking steps to make sure the team is prepared in case it gets hit with another rash of injuries. “Injuries are always a concern,” Hollway said. “Things can change quickly that way, especially at a small independent school. But we have eight offensive linemen we feel good about, so we have some depth. “We can slide people in if we need to do that. We are also able to protect them a little bit by not playing them on the defensive line. And we’re going into the season 100% healthy, which is great.”

Senior running back Griffin DeRus so, a transfer from Berean Christian in Brentwood, California, ran for 94 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Jack Meyers ran for 84 yards and a touchdown, and added a pick six on defense from his outside lineback er spot. Beck, in first real football action, recorded 1 1/2 sacks and two tackles for loss. The players are optimistic about the“Theseason.last couple years have been ugly,” Hobson said. “We’re going to change that. We have a different mindset.”

HIGH 5 SPORTS AUGUST 25, 2022

5Paul Sindoris and Matt Kluding (68) won the Men’s Golf Association best ball event held Aug. 17 at University Park Country Club.

“I also always have had a goal of playing a sport in college, and volleyball gave me a great platform to do that.”

ODA program.thecultureainjectedteambaseballtheplayerssaidHollwayCoachHeadRobgettingfromschool’shaswinningintofootball

Photos by Ryan Kohn

ODA seniors Jack Hobson (quarterback), Luca Marino (linebacker/running back), Charlie Tack (linebacker/fullback) and Griffin DeRusso (running back) are expected to be major contributors for the Thunder.

2021FORECASTTHUNDERrecord:

Former Lakewood Ranch High baseball player Grant McCray, an outfielder with the A-level San Jose Giants, had a single, double and three RBIs on Aug. 20 in the Giants’ 16-1 home win against the Inland Empire 66ers.

ODA’s linemen have ideal size, too, particularly junior guard Blaine Bentley, who is 6-foot-5, 275 pounds, and brothers Chase Polivchak, a 6-foot-4, 265-pound sophomore, and Max Polivchak, a 6-foot-2, 295-poundAssumingfreshman.allthree players stay healthy, the Thunder could have not only a competent offensive line but a dominant one. Not many SSAC schools have similar size. The Thunder roster as a whole is growing as well. ODA will enter the season with 36 players on its varsity roster, a number Hollway said is a good starting point for his first year. It’s a number that has been boosted since the team’s spring practices because seven of the school’s base ball players decided to play football as well.

Hollway likes the winning culture the baseball players have brought into the locker room. The Thunder baseball team won a state title in 2021 and reached the state semifi nals in 2022. Hollway said knowing how to win is a skill best learned by watching and listening to people who have done it before. Senior pitcher/infielder Jack Hob son will be the team’s quarterback after initially joining the program midway through the 2021 season and seeing a bit of game action. Senior catcher Luca Marino will be the team’s middle linebacker after doing the same. The team has also recruited players from other sports — junior Tyler Beck, who reached the state track and field meet as a pole vaulter in 2021, is the team’s starting defensive end. “I’m a big believer in playing mul tiple sports,” Hollway said. “I think exposure to different things helps studentsHollwaydevelop.”saidmaking sure his players have fun has been a focus. In Hollway’s view, he’s coaching to share life lessons as much as he is to win games, and treating his players well is a part of that effort. He’s made changes, like playing music during workouts and practices. It seems to be working. Mari no said the players are enjoying themselves.“Everypractice is high energy,” Marino said. “It’s not just boring old drills all the time. We’re hitting. We’re playing seven-on-seven. It’s a well-run practice.” One preseason game is not always an indication of how a team’s season will go, but Hollway and his team got off to the best possible start Aug. 20 when it traveled to play Keswick Christian in the Kickoff Classic and won 49-0. The Thunder kept things vanilla, calling 30 running plays to just three passing plays, and man aged to churn out 334 total yards.

0-5 2022 Head Coach: Rob Hollway, first season Key to the season: Added depth and size on the offensive line and adjusting to the system under new Head Coach Rob Hollway SCHEDULE: All games start at 7 p.m. otherwiseunlessnoted n Aug. 27 at Berean Christian (6 p.m.) n Sept. 2 vs. Oasis High n Sept. 9 at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal n Sept. 16 vs. Bishop McLaughlin Catholic n Sept. 23 at First Academy n Oct. 7 at Bell Creek Academy n Oct. 14 vs. Cocoa Beach High n Oct. 21 BradentonatChristian Head Football Coach Rob Hollway has more depth and size on his 2022 roster. New ODA coach sparks hope

Braden River High junior running back Trayvon Pinder ran for a touchdown Aug. 19 in the Pirates’ 15-0 home preseason win against Lennard High.

Midge Saint sank a holein-one Aug. 20 on the No. 4 hole of Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club’s Royal Lakes course. Saint used a 5-hybrid on the 125-yard hole.

Lakewood Ranch High senior running back Kevin Everhart ran for three touchdowns Aug. 19 in the Mustangs’ 49-6 road preseason win against Dunedin High.

FORWARD VAULT PAGE 10B

SEE PAGE 11B

Lakewood Ranch High’s Andrea Dietz

Now that Lakewood Ranch gymnast Jaden Blank has competed against the nation’s best, he can set his goals even higher.

Photos by Ryan Kohn

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Adream doesn’t always end withLakewoodgold. Ranch gymnast Jaden Blank dreamed of competing at the 2022 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, held Aug. 18-21 at Tampa’s Amalie Arena. Blank, who trains with Bradenton’s EVO Athletics gym, earned a berth in the event and finished 21st in the nation in the Junior Men 17 division. Although he didn’t earn a medal, Blank’s display of power and grace proved he belongs with the best gymnasts in the nation. Now with experience competing at the top level, he can set his sights on higher goals. His highest score in Tampa came in the vault, where he earned a 13.30 from the judges, good for 18th place. He wowed the crowd with his core strength and athleticism.Blank began a special year of competing by securing the Level 10 All-Around Championship (78.750) at the 2022 Florida Men’s State Championships, held March 4-6 in Alachua. Level 10 is the highest level of the Junior Olympic program overseen by USA Gymnastics. At the championships, Blank finished first in the floor exercise, vault, parallel bars, and high bar and finished second in the rings and pommel horse.

— RYAN KOHN A dream in flight

While Lakewood Ranch gymnast Jaden Blank didn’t earn a medal, he displayed power and grace at the U.S. Gymnastic Championships.

Lakewood Ranch gymnast Jaden Blank realizes his goal of competing in the junior 17 division at the 2022 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, held Aug. 18-21 at Tampa’s Amalie Arena.

Jaden Blank saddles up on the pommel horse at Tampa’s Amalie Arena.

Ryan

Andrea Dietz is a 5-foot-11 senior on the Lakewood Ranch High vol leyball team. Dietz, a University of North Florida commit, had 10 kills, five blocks and 16 digs Aug. 20 in the Mustangs’ 3-0 home win over Wharton High. When did you start playing volleyball? I started when I was 9. I watched the Olympics on TV and thought volley ball looked so cool. What is the appeal to you? I love my teammates. Playing on a team is a great way to get to know people and make friends. With volleyball in particular, it is a sport where you can always get bet ter. I like being able to constantly improve. What has been your focus this offseason? For me, this offseason was all about the weight room. I needed to get stronger, both for this high school season and for when I go to college. The more strength you have, the harder you can hit and the better you will do. What is your best skill? I see the court well. When I’m hitting I can find open spots on the floor, and when I’m on defense I can read where the other teams are going to aim. I don’t have to dive for anything because I’m already in the right spot. What is your favorite memory? In 2019, I was playing club volley ball with Orlando-Tampa Volleyball Academy and we played a tourna ment in Atlanta. I got close with my teammates that season and that tournament, in particular, is when I felt my confidence as a player take off. Our team took third in the tournament and

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

Andrea Dietz

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WEEKTHEOFATHLETE

12B EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022 YourObserver.com 8-25-22 celebrity cipher sudoku Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively. ©2022 Andrews McMeel Syndicate crossword ©2022 Universal Uclick ACROSS 1 Like one who’s seen it all 6 ___ organs (heart, liver, 11etc.)Poker piles 15 Cats’ “archenemies” 19 Upscale 100-Across 20 Smell that may be 2625232221therapeuticAmazonspeakerTrackshapeVeganfoodfest?LowlylaborerLostfishina2003 film 27 “Game, ___, match” 28 Kind of salad with 29anchoviesJacob’s twin 30 Walk like a peacock 31 Millipede parts 32 Item on a ballerina’s 3835clothesline?“Veryfunny!”Soundheardat a library 40 Mary ___ cosmetics 41 Sweetener made from 42nectarThat is, in Latin 44 Not their 46 Bob and weave with a 49buddyFactory yield 52 iTunes or iMovie, once? 56 Part of an act 57 Spanish cry of joy 58 “E.T.” craft 59 Mortgage, e.g. 61 Thick Japanese noodle 62 Spelling contest 63 Fleur-de-___ 65 Bloodwork sites 68 Rendezvous 70 Heading for a New York newspaper’s delivery 75schedule?Makeup maker Lauder 76 2020 Pixar film whose title is a music genre 77 ___ Balls (snack cakes) 78 PC key near Z 81 Maori war 5-Down 84 “Dear” fellows 86 Chest bone 88 Puck stopper 90 Partner of “kicking” 92 Free samples? 96 Royal bride of ‘81 98 Blackthorn fruit 99 PC key near Q 100 Civic or Accord, e.g. 101 Mona Lisa’s smile, to 103some“As I see it,” in texts 105 Seize 107 Tilt 108 What skinny jeans might reveal? 113 Convinced 115 Like a junkyard car 116 “Hey, sailor!” 117 “Let me take a crack at 119it”Popular K-pop band 122 Ski area in Salt Lake 123CountyChristmas pudding fruit 124 Rags-to-riches accom 126plishment?Boatpart that may be even 127 Do damage to 128 ___ headphones 129 He ran with Biden 130 Acts like a human? 131 British exclamation 132 “Turn! 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In February 2023, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card. *Rainfall totals from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport WEATHER YEAR TO DATE: 2022 28.94 in. 2021 36.53 in. MONTH TO DATE: 2022 5.15 in. 2021 7.84 in. Laura Beck took a photo of this hibiscus in bloom in The Isles in Lakewood Ranch. Aug.New27 Sept.Full10Sept.First3 Sept.Last17

LABOR DAY EARLY DEADLINES for September 8th Edition CC LASSIFI ED ADS Deadline Friday September 2nd 2:00 pm TT he O bserver will be CCLOSED Monday, September 5th for Labor Day and we will reopen September 6th at 8:30 am CCall 941 955 4888 To Pla ce Your Ad THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022 RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here! INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888 redpages@yourobserver.com • yourobserver.com/redpages The East County Observer reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher. *It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in the East County Observer to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with towncodes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property Notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.. DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at Noon Service Directory - Friday at 3PM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card placepeekers’ yourself.cheatingonlyYou’re This week’s Celebrity Cipher answersThis week’s Crossword answers ©2022 Universal Uclick This week’s Sudoku answers Puzzle One Solution: “That’s the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: You make them followRayyou.”Bradbury Puzzle Two Solution: “For me, when I get knocked down, I really try to get back up and go at it again. I don’t like to give up.” Jeremy Lin Puzzle Three Solution: “I want to be an old lady, with my cane, shouting, ‘Action!’ and ‘Cut!’”Director Ava DuVernay©2022NEA,Inc. SEARCH the RED PAGES for GREAT DEALS To place an ad Call 941-955-4888 stu Items Under $200 3 MANNEQUIN torsos- 2 female, 1 male. all 3 for 941-360-0653$100. ADVERTISEMERCHANDISEYOUR 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 Oraddress)Onlineat: www.yourobserver.com Or mail to: The Observer Group 1970 Main St. - 3rd Floor Sarasota, Fl 34236 DVD SETS:10 Johnny Carson/Tonight Show, $25. 13 Victor Borge, $13. (941) 966-6816 FLAT TV mount Sanus ALT 1 $30 and Duvet insert (Full) $20 greytreelane@outlook.comemail FOR SALE: Columbia Grafonola, Type K-2 record player and 35 records. Good condition, works. 20"x19"x45" $170.00. Call 941-981-9680. KING QUILT Set. Navy/white as new, with 2 new pillows. $45. 3 pair ladies Romy as new, 11 wide. $20 each. 941-927-3805 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages SELL STUFFYOURHERE! PAINTING 'HOMES Beach surf sherman' framed/oil on canvas. $135. 941/776-0034 SOPRANO SAX reeds, sixteen boxes. $10 per box. Brand new. 941-922-5747 TELESCOPIC GUTTER cleaner, $10. Antique travelers trunk, $50. Pick, wooden handle $15. Antique universal food grinder #2, $15. 941-228-9467 MerchandiseWanted BUYING BASEBALL card collections! Looking to free up space and make $$? Need to sell sports cards? Collector looking to expand collection. Pay top dollar. Text/call 941 548 6492 with photos. SENIOR LOOKING to purchase precious metals, diamonds, time pieces, coins, jewelry, antique and estate jewelry, and some collectors plates. Personal and confidential. Please call Marc: 941-321-0707 Pets AKC REG 1st shot dewormed tails docked, 2 black males 1each black, reverse brindle females vet approved $850 (828) 289-9531 marysboxers Sporting Goods Beach’ N Rides Electric Bike Shop eBike Sales and Rentals Ride easy on an eBike with as much exercise or assistance as you want. Leave traf c and parking problems behind! 13 models available. DDaily and weekly rentals available We also repair other Brands Open 10 to 5 daily except Sundays and holidays 12208 Cortez Road, Cortez, 941-251-7916,FLExt 1 auto Autos Wanted CASH FOR YYOUR CAR We come to you! Ho Ho Buys 941-270-4400.cars. STORAGE FACILITY Boat/ RV/ Trailer. Secure facility, low monthly rentals, Clark Rd area. 941809-3660, 941-809-3662. YourObserver.com/RedPages SELLFAST!IT Place Your Ad Online WE BUY cars top $$ paid for your vehicles Call Hawley Motors: 941 923 3421 real esta te SeasonalVacation/Rentals 1BR/1BA 1350 Main St, in heart of Downtown Sarasota. Beautiful 3rd oor, turn key, furnished condo in upscale building overlooking main street. Amenities include: concierge, reserved in-building parking, pool, tness center, and more. Available for seasonal rental starting September 1 through month of April for $4000/mo. Includes all. Call George: 516-993-3324. Advertise as low as $17.50 per week! STUFF941-955-4888CALLSELLYOURFAST! 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