Longboat Observer 3.28.24

LONGBOAT

Observer

Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978

Highwire act.

PAGE 2A

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

FREE • MONDAY, APRIL 1, 2024

VOLUME 45, NO. 34

YOUR TOWN

Chasing tails Wiener dog racing (and big-time betting) comes to St. ­Armands Circle. PAGE 4A

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Back to grass

After two years of debating the replacement of the natural grass with artificial turf in the dog parks at Bayfront Park, the town of Longboat Key has canceled the Bayfront Dog Park Project and plans to reinstall natural grass.

“It was a nice experiment while it lasted, but changing it to artificial turf just messed everything up,” said Paul McIntosh, with the Longboat Key Public Works Department. “I clean this park every day, and it has honestly made it harder to keep it clean. The turf confuses the dogs because they are so used to real dirt under their paws. I have seen many dogs trying to dig up the turf, which makes more work for me.”

McIntosh said most dogs prefer the natural grass of the big dog park for its smell.

Due to this feedback, $50,000 of the $175,000 the town budgeted to install artificial turf will be used to purchase top-tier Kentucky bluegrass for the dog park.

The town will be asking for suggestions from Longboaters on what to do with the rest of the money.

Bon appétit New seafood restaurant proposed for former Mote Marine Aquarium will allow guests to catch their own meals. PAGE 3A Courtesy rendering

The shark tank at the former Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium has been converted into a massive lobster tank for the new seafood concept, Fresh Catch.

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One home, one car

Brace yourselves, because the town of Longboat Key’s ordinance restricting vehicle ownership is set to take effect April 1, which means that any residential addresses with more than one car or truck registered there will be subject to escalating penalties.

The Longboat Key Town Commission approved the controversial measure in January 2024 in an effort to curb traffic congestion on Longboat Key and improve the tourist experience.

Any households with more than one vehicle will be subject to a daily fine of $500 until the vehicle is moved off island. If the offending vehicle is stored on the island in violation of the ordinance for more than a month, it will be subject to removal from the Key at the owner’s expense.

Vehicles in violation of the ordinance will be towed to the Sarasota County Fairgrounds and auctioned if not claimed and moved within 31 days.

A+E

Selfplaying guitar INSIDE

Courtesy of Dominic Toretto

Filming for the next “The Fast and the Furious” movie will shut down Gulf of Mexico Drive for two weeks.

Film shuts down GMD

‘The Fast and the Furious’ sequel to film LBK car chase.

SEE PAGE 3A

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

Goodbye undergrounding, hello overgrounding After the undergrounding utility project faced one too many hiccups, Florida Power-up & Lamp-lighting reverts to tried-and-true overhead utilities.

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

J

ust when the project seemed to be closing in on the finish line, the decision was made to reverse the town of Longboat Key’s underground utility project.

Representatives with Florida Power-up & Lamp-lighting sent a statement to town staff saying the undergrounding project no longer fits FPULL’s vision for Longboat Key’s utilities, and that the power lines will revert to overhead power lines.

The process, simply enough, is called overgrounding.

“When it was realized there would be more complications to underground Longboat Key’s power lines, our project team met to come up with a potential solution,” said regional Utility Supervisor Craig Hallmark.

“It was decided that overgrounding would be the easiest option.”

The undergrounding project faced a series of delays. Most recently, an oversight caused the project team to realize that some existing underground transformers would not be usable.

FPULL then needed to order transformers to replace those, which then caused FPULL to face supply chain issues. These issues further delayed the project and the subsequent pole removal that many residents were waiting for.

Now the poles are here to stay.

Phases 3 and 4 were the least impacted by the change, since all poles and overhead equipment were already in place. Hallmark said that

“When it was realized there would be more complications to underground Longboat Key’s power lines, our project team met to come up with a potential solution. It was decided that overgrounding would be the easiest option.”

FPULL will start ordering upgraded power boxes for these phases so that Longboat Key’s entire system is on the same level.

In Phase 2, some pole removal had already started. FPULL directed construction crews to halt the removal and, if possible, recall the poles that were already sent away. Phase 2 will also receive the new power boxes.

For Phase 1, where all undergrounding work was already completed, FPULL will need to order new poles, feeders and overhead power boxes.

Ordering new boxes will pose some difficulty, and supply chain issues will again plague the project, according to Hallmark. As of publication, Hallmark estimated the first boxes would not arrive until late 2025 or early 2026 at the earliest.

Easements will also need to be acquired for all properties again as a part of the reversal process.

Patty Crane, a resident who lives within Phase 3 and still has overhead utility lines, worries about what could happen in a hurricane.

“If we get a bad storm with high winds, those lines could cause some real damage,” she said.

Hallmark said while FPULL acknowledges there may be risks associated with overhead lines, the company could not provide any advice to private properties for insurance purposes.

The timeline for the project is still up in the air, but Hallmark said FPULL hopes to have the overgrounding wrapped up by 2027 as long as there are no further delays.

— Craig Hallmark, FPULL regional utility supervisor

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

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Courtesy images

The Mote facility on City Island will soon reopen as a state-of-the-art, fine-dining seafood restaurant called Fresh Catch.

Catch of the day Former aquarium facility to be converted into family-friendly interactive seafood restaurant.

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

S

arasota will soon be home to a new concept in the seafood restaurant industry.

The former Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium facility on Ken Thompson Parkway is undergoing preparations to become an interactive seafood restaurant with a literal

take on the phrase “fresh catch of the day.”

Get ready for a restaurant where you’ll be able to catch your own meal.

“From the start, Mote really wanted to figure out how to utilize the old facility in the best way possible,” said newly appointed Fresh Catch General Manager Janine Carpp. “That’s when the idea for a restaurant formed, and I was brought on board.”

Mote will begin construction on a state-of-the-art, fine-dining seafood restaurant called Fresh Catch as early as the end of 2024.

Officials at Mote estimated that it will cost about $2 million to transform the courtyard and tanks into Fresh Catch. Most of the funds were raised through private donors interested in adding something new to the Sarasota culinary scene, according to Carpp.

The full scope of the restaurant is undetermined, but it will seat at least 400 people. The shark tank will be a focal point of the new concept and will house thousands of lobsters.

After Mote’s new Science Education Aquarium opens in early 2025, about 90% of the species the facility

currently has will be moved to the new location in Lakewood Ranch.

The ones remaining at the facility will be a part of a small aquarium exhibit located near the back of the restaurant, as something for guests to do after a meal.

Guests at the restaurant will be able to pay an extra $20 for the opportunity to catch their own fish, prepared in a variety of different ways by Executive Chef Sal Monk.

A few tanks will house some of the fish likely to be on the menu, such as grouper, mahi mahi, red snapper and Spanish mackerel.

There will also be a tank full of blue crabs. For $10, guests can use a string and a piece of chicken to attract a crab for their meal.

“It’s an interesting concept,” Monk said. “Certainly nothing that I’ve seen before.”

Monk is planning menu items like grilled or fried fish, taco variations and homemade salsas and relishes.

Mote’s goal is to utilize as much of the existing structures as possible

while bringing in the necessary elements of a fine-dining restaurant.

Most of the expenses will be to add the necessary plumbing and electrical to run a large-scale commercial kitchen.

Monk and Carpp are also working on a specialty cocktail menu, which will include staple drinks as well as a seasonal rotation.

Carpp said that, as of now, Fresh Catch will be offering only lunch and dinner. If the idea takes off as well as they hope, they might expand their hours to include brunch, she said.

The restaurant staff hope to do a trial run of the restaurant in late 2024 for Mote executives and families, before a soft opening shortly thereafter. Doors to the restaurant should open to the public the day of Mote SEA’s own ribbon cutting.

SEE CATCH PAGE 4A

Just no way to avoid it GMD shut down for filming of ‘The Fast and the Furious 11.’

PETRA RIVERA STAFF WRITER

G

ulf of Mexico Drive will be shut down from April 1-15 to film a car chase in the 11th installment of “The Fast and the Furious 11: The Final Chase.”

“I came to Longboat Key for the first time last year during peak season,” said director of “The Fast and the Furious 11,” Speedy Murray.

“Driving down Gulf of Mexico Drive for the first time, I couldn’t get it out of my head how amazing a car chase would be here, especially since it’s the main street. You really can’t turn down the side streets to take a shortcut or cut someone off. That is just a whole different spin that not a lot of people would expect.”

“The Fast and the Furious 11: The Final Chase” follows Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto as he tries to live a life of normalcy after many years of espionage, heists and thrills.

After escaping to Florida, where he believes that no one would find him, Toretto discovers a secret from an old friend that makes him doubt everything and everyone from his past.

A shuttle service using repurposed school buses will run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day during filming of the explosive car chase.

The car chase, which will take two weeks to film, is predicted to start on the north end of the island in the Longboat Village area zooming out and down 10 miles of Gulf of Mexico Drive. It will end with a huge explosion at the Resort at Longboat Key Club, creating the perfect cinematic chase filled with action and suspense.

Murray said that this is likely to be the last “The Fast and the Furious” film with Diesel.

“What better way to end this era of his career than filming it in para-

dise?” said Rick Slick, spokesperson for Diesel.

Diesel and other cast members will be staying at different spots around the island.

“This will be the perfect way to show off our beautiful island in one of the most famous franchises known to man,” said Norman C. Baggins, the new marketing director for the town of Longboat Key. Baggins shared that this will put Longboat Key on the map and attract new residents with different backgrounds.

“We love welcoming new people to Longboat Key,” said Baggins. “Having these Fast and Furious fans and thrill-seekers will change the atmosphere of the island a little bit but will overall add some excitement to an already great town filled with well-rounded people.”

Since Gulf of Mexico Drive will be closed, there will be two ways to get around the Key. A temporary Longboat Key water ferry will be available with four stops on the bay side. There will also be a shuttle service using repurposed

school buses that will run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day of filming while making stops throughout the island. A complete schedule and route map is still pending.

“The Fast and the Furious 11” is also looking for extras for the film.

Murray said he would love to have most of the extras be from Longboat Key to make the scene as authentic as possible. Extras must be able to swim, run a 10K race and jump out of a moving vehicle.

SEE FURIOUS PAGE 4A

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

GOTCHA!

Happy April Fools’ Day from the Longboat Observer!

The stories on Pages 1A through 4A are not real news.

Hope you’re as relieved as we are!

Off to the races Dachshunds will soon be dashing around St. Armands racetrack as wiener dog racing comes to Circle Park.

OBSERVER STAFF

J

ust as the former Sarasota Kennel Club is meeting its fate with an excavator, another form of four-legged pari-mutuel wagering may soon be on its way to Sarasota, specifically to St. Armands Circle.

In 2018, Florida voters approved a referendum banning greyhound racing. They didn’t, however, say anything about dachshund racing. To fill the void, the National Association of Wiener Dog Racing is planning to propose the nation’s first permanent race track to occupy Circle Park.

Planned is a 500-seat, circular stadium for year-round races surrounding a 100-yard track on which wiener dogs will compete to win, place or show for both the amusement of spectators and the gambling public.

Although small, the seating bowl in Circle Park provides for an ideal length track for dachshunds.

“Their legs are pretty short and they don’t exactly have a lot of endurance,” said NAWDR spokesman Nathan Franks of the short circular track.

“Most wiener dog races are on a

straightaway, so we think this is an ideal length.”

As an accessory, the NAWDR plans to occupy a nearby boutique retail location for betting and box office activities, but it also has its eyes on something larger.

“If we can get a very large restaurant space, we can also open a card room with a dedicated space for closed-circuit broadcasting from inside the stadium and from races being held at other locations,” Franks said.

“We have our eyes on a very large restaurant space very close to the stadium that’s ideal. There is already a great kitchen there to prepare — what else? — hundreds of hot dogs per hour.

“It is our goal to make Sarasota the global headquarters for pari-mutuel wiener dog racing.”

According to NAWDR, dachshunds are deceptively fast despite their short legs. They have been clocked at 25 miles per hour, just more than half the top speed of a greyhound.

“Getting them to run is easy,” Franks said. “Getting them to run where you want them to run is another matter altogether.”

Courtesy image

St. Armands Circle Park will soon be home to a permanent wiener dog racing stadium, seen from above with a rendering of the track in the middle.

BELLS AND WHISTLES

Like greyhound racing, a mechanical lure will be used. Bred to hunt badgers, the dachshunds will chase a stuffed badger that will be mounted on a mechanical arm attached to a track in the center of the circular course.

Starting in Australia in the 1970s, wiener dog racing has spread around the world. Since 1995, the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals have been held every year in Southern California. Franks said the plan is

WEST OF TRAIL SHOWCASE HOME

GRAND OPENING

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to move that weeklong event, held every December, to the new track at St. Armands Circle.

Franks said the NAWDR is coordinating with Commodore Cruise Lines, which recently announced plans to make Siesta Key a twiceweekly port of call.

At a minimum, races will be scheduled on days when ships are in port as well as on weekends.

HOT DOGS

Lunch meat giant Oscar Geyser has

been signed as the official hot dog of the NAWDR, and as part of the deal, it will provide shuttle service to and from the new Siesta Key cruise ship port in Oscar Geyser Wiener Mobile replica vehicles.

“Passengers can shop, dine and go to the beach in any of our ports of call,” said Commodore Cruise Lines President and CEO Merrill Stubing.

“But where else can you ride in the Wiener Mobile and watch wiener dog racing in the same day?”

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LONGBOAT

Observer

Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978

Restored art

PAGE 12B

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

FREE • THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

VOLUME 46, NO. 33

YOUR TOWN

GENTLE MOTION

Paradise Center qigong classes offer workouts for all levels and seasons.

SEE PAGE 8B

Courtesy image

The Rev. Brock Patterson blesses kayaks

Fleet blessings

The Rev. Brock Patterson from Longboat Island Chapel was all aboard at Longboat Harbour.

Longboat Harbour Condominium hosted its annual Blessing of the Fleet at 11 a.m. on March 23. The event was organized by Commodore Jeff Hecklau and his wife, Joyce.

Patterson was driven by resident Karen Pashkow and President of the Board Bonnie Coughlin to each dock. He hopped on and off around 25 boats, kayaks and paddle boats and blessed them and their captains for safe rides on the water.

Around 130 people attended.

After the boats were blessed, Sparky Pashkow grilled hot dogs and hamburgers for the community and served coleslaw, chips and cookies. Due to predicted stormy weather, the annual boat parade was canceled.

“Blessing of the Fleet is one of the highlights of our season and a tradition for many years,” said Hecklau. “We are grateful so many community members participated this year. We just wish all our boaters and paddlers safety and fun on the water.”

Courtesy image

Willets are just one species of shorebird negatively affected by dogs’ presence on local beaches.

Give ’em a break Longboat and its residents remind beachgoers that no dogs are allowed on the sand to protect shorebirds.

SEE PAGE 8A Petra Rivera

Qigong instructor Sandi Love leads a class at The Paradise Center.

A+E

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Winners from left: Demo Cervelli, Susan Claudio, Jerry Herrick and Carolyn Varnum.

Condominium competition With the season at its peak, pickleball continues to be all the rave, from Bayfront Park to condominium complexes.

Longboat Harbour hosted its Third Annual Pickleball Tournament from March 12-13.

During the tournament, 38 residents played in categories based on their skill level, and the top four scorers played a “best of three” to find out who would take home the glory.

Winners received medals and other gifts, and everyone enjoyed an after-party hosted by resident Sharon Meier and Sotheby’s.

Plan for the span FDOT proposes a replacement for the Little Ringling Bridge. PAGE 7A

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The Florida Department of Transportation is in the project development and engineering phase of improvements to the Little Ringling Bridge.

Bringing Balanchine to life.

INSIDE

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

PHASE 2

PHASE 4

PHASE 3

PHASE 1

Longboat Key is split into four phases for the project to bury utilities.

Specifics in short supply The timeline for completing the burying of Longboat’s utilities remains uncertain according to FPL. CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

A

n estimated timeline for completion of the project to bury utilities on Longboat Keyt is still unde-

cided.

The original estimated completion date for the project was the end of 2022. Now months into 2024, the lack of timeline specifics given at the March 25 Longboat Key Town Commission workshop frustrated many town commissioners.

Public Works Director Isaac Brownman presented an update to commissioners at the meeting.

Devaney Iglesias, regional external affairs area manager for Florida Power & Light, also attended the meeting.

Wilco Electrical and FPL in June 2023 discovered an oversight that delayed progress for Phases 2, 3 and 4 of the project.

There were some existing underground transformers in those phases that the team thought would be compatible with the new underground system.

But after opening them up, Wilco realized that new transformers would need to be installed. That, combined with supply chain issues, led to a delay.

Wilco has received those new transformers now.

Phase 2 of the project is nearing completion, with all new underground transformers energized.

Wilco needs to get switching orders from FPL to complete riser drops into existing underground areas.

The remaining phases have a significant number of riser drops. Risers are transitions between overhead and underground conductors. Overhead conductors need to be dropped to connect to the underground service.

Crews with FPL’s demolition contractor, IRBY Construction Company, started removal of overhead wires and poles in Phase 2.

Brownman said the project team estimated Phase 2 will be completed by the end of April.

For Phase 3, Brownman said FPL and Wilco need to coordinate outages and final switch orders, and the goal is to complete transformer changeouts by the end of April.

Switching orders for Phase 4 need to wait until Phase 2 is completed, due to the complexity of the system.

That means the schedule for Phase 4 is still to be determined.

Brownman said it would be difficult to estimate a schedule beyond the next month.

“It’s very difficult to nail that down

SOME GOOD NEWS

Overall the project remains within budget, according to Brownman.

With about $483,245 of the funds for the project, purchase orders were issued for new backlit street signs. This improvement will replace the town’s existing white street sign poles with new black poles and blue backlit street name signs.

An additional $1,333,760 has been set aside for design, permitting and installation of up to 60 new highway street lights along Gulf of Mexico Drive.

because everything is dependent on the thing that happens before it,” Brownman said.

PRESSURE FROM COMMISSION

After Brownman’s presentation, the lack of specifics in the schedule left commissioners frustrated and with more questions.

“It’s late in the game and it’s kind of time to put a stake in the ground and say, ‘this is when we’re going to get it done,’” Vice Mayor Mike Haycock said.

“If you don’t, then you’ll have reasons why. I just think it’s real late to be saying TBD on a project that is 5 years old.”

Haycock asked Brownman if he could come back with some timeline estimates for Phases 3 and 4.

Mayor Ken Schneier suggested

“Bottom line, people don’t want to know ‘Phase 3 we may do this and switch that and try this and the transformers may or may not work.’ They want to know when it’s done, and when the stuff is out of here. So I need an answer.”

— BJ Bishop, commissioner-at-large

that having more incremental progress updates would be a good idea for commissioners and residents. For example, if there is a certain number of riser drops needed in an area, it would be good to know how many are completed.

Utility companies are required to acquire easements to complete work on private property, and one is still required — Publix. CommissionerAt-Large BJ Bishop said that’s something that should have been done in year one or two of the project, not at the five-year mark.

“Bottom line, people don’t want to know ‘Phase 3 we may do this and switch that and try this and the transformers may or may not work.’

They want to know when it’s done, and when the stuff is out of here,” Bishop said. “So I need an answer.”

After Brownman was still unable

to give a timeline, Bishop questioned FPL’s commitment to the project.

“I guarantee you that every resource has been dedicated,” Iglesias said. “From the FPL perspective, the priority has always been there. There’s been issues that have happened that were unforeseen, but we continue to work through them.”

One of those unforeseen circumstances was the flooding at the end of 2023 that caused the failure of transformers due to corrosion from saltwater.

Iglesias assured commissioners that the underground transformers are state of the art, and that the issues experienced last storm season with the flooding were unprecedented.

FPL has since ordered raised pads for the areas where transformers failed, which will be installed after the main undergrounding project is completed, according to Iglesias.

That said, Iglesias said it would not be possible to set a deadline, but that FPL would work with Brownman and the rest of the project staff to get an estimate.

“We’re not wanting to put another timeline on (the project) because we’re not wanting to disappoint you all,” Iglesias said. “We can’t commit to anything knowing what’s happened so far.”

Iglesias also said she would return to the commission soon with Project Manager Hau Tran, who was out of town at the time of the March 25 meeting. She also offered to have one-on-one meetings with commissioners.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

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Bird Key Park Bird Key

Sarasota Harbour East

Courtesy image

A rendering of the preferred alternative to the Little Ringling Bridge.

Single-span solution FDOT prefers a single span to replace the Little Ringling Bridge, at a cost of $59.1 million.

Sarasota Harbour East

Bird Key Park

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

W

ith the Little Ringling Bridge now in the project development and engineering phase, the Florida Department of Transportation has shared its preferred alternative to replace the twin spans between Bird Key Drive and Sarasota Harbour West.

Even as westbound traffic was backed up from downtown Sarasota to St. Armands Circle early Thursday evening, the FDOT revealed its plan to build a single bridge, choosing that over a two-bridge or a no-build option.

The latter option, over the next 30 years, would cost more than half that of a new bridge with a service life of 75 years. Afterward, the bridge would still need to be replaced, likely at a much higher price.

Selecting the preferred option now allows for further PD&E, although construction remains unfunded and the earliest work would begin is 2028.

According to the FDOT study, rehabilitation projects in the nobuild option would likely include partial or complete deck replacement, substructure and beam repairs, and replacement of structural pile jackets plus corrosion protection to slow deterioration. Maintenance repairs would be ongoing and larger rehabilitation projects could be expected approximately every five years.

The total estimated no-build cost is $38.8 million compared to $59.1 million for the single bridge preferred option. A rejected two-bridge alternative was estimated at $63.7 million.

During the workshop held at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, Project Manager Patrick Bateman showed a video that provided details about the project. It was not a question-and-answer but rather an information-gathering exercise to receive public comment.

Only three residents offered that

Bird Key

Courtesy image

The new Little Ringling Bridge will be ten-and-a-half feet higher at the highest point than the current bridge, allowing for improved boat navigation.

DESIGN DETAILS The single bridge alternative will replace the two existing bridges with a single structure for all lanes of travel. The new span will include: Four ten-and-a-half-footwide travel lanes.

Eleven-foot-wide bus lane in both directions.

Five-and-a-half-foot-wide bike lanes.

Fourteen-foot-wide shared use path in both directions.

input, two in person and one via Zoom, including Columbia Restaurant and St. Armands Circle property owner Casey Gonzmart.

While he endorsed the single bridge concept, he was concerned about access to St. Armands and even more traffic congestion as a result of the construction.

“We would like to take this opportunity to understand what access will be to the keys for safety and otherwise during the period of construction, and an estimate of how long the construction may take,” Gonzmart said. “This is something that’s going to make everyone anxious for a period of time.”

Gonzmart said a marketing plan

Andrew Warfield

Approximately 75 people attended the FDOT’s Little Ringling Bridge replacement workshop.

should be developed to inform visitors that the bridges are open and that St. Armands and Longboat keys are accessible.

The FDOT’s Tentative Five-Year Work Program includes funding for the Project Development and Engi-

neering and design through Phase 2, or roughly 60% of construction plan development. The start of construction is anticipated to occur in fiscal year 2028-29. Throughout the PD&E stage, the no-build option will remain a possibility.

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

Courtesy of Carlyn Vigil

A ruddy turnstone forages in the wrack line on Longboat Key.

Carter Weinhofer

Larger signs at north end access points encourage people to be more mindful of the shorebirds.

No dogs allowed LBK residents, town remind beachgoers to be mindful of protections for shorebirds.

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

REPORT A PROBLEM To report a dog on Longboat Key’s beaches — or any other issue — you can call the police department’s nonemergency line at 941-316-1201.

parks. It states that all pets, “other than animals certified and utilized for assisting persons with disabilities,” are prohibited from town parks, beaches and public beach access points.

Further, it states unleashed dogs are only allowed within the dog park at Bayfront Park.

Merrigan and Seamon both mentioned that some of the dog tracks seen on beaches have appeared to have been from dogs off leashes.

NEED FOR PEACE

Some of the best habitat for migrating shorebirds is on the tips of barrier islands — like Beer Can Island and the north end, according to Audubon Florida.

There, the birds can find a good mix of breeding habitat and feeding grounds.

“Disturbance from human activities is a leading threat to nesting shorebirds, and this can be partly minimized by protecting nesting areas with posted signs to prevent people and pets from disturbing a nesting colony by inadvertently getting too close,” according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

With an increasing number of residents back for the season combined with visitors for spring break, it’s kind of like a “perfect storm” that lines up with the shorebird nesting season, which lasts from Feb. 15 to Sept. 1.

“It’s just that time of year where there’s a lot of birds on the beach,” Seamon said.

Protected bird species that nest on

Florida beaches include black skimmers, least terns, American oystercatchers, Wilson’s plovers and snowy plovers.

As of mid-March, Seamon said there weren’t any nests reported on Longboat Key yet. But there are still shorebirds on the beaches and disturbing them can be stress them.

“Your dog can be the most wellbehaved dog and great, but the birds don’t know that,” Seamon said. “You know, the bird still sees your fourlegged friend as a predator.”

Information from the FWC states that birds tend to react differently to dogs than they do humans.

“They fly away from dogs sooner, they go further away and they are more reluctant to return to the area, which means they leave eggs and chicks vulnerable and have less time for critical activities like finding food that they need to survive,” according to the FWC. Beaches in Florida are commonly used as a stopping point for migratory bird species. Migratory shorebirds, though they may not have nests on the beach, need to take ample time to rest in between flights.

Red knots are a common migratory bird that could be found on Longboat Key beaches. This species makes one of the longest migrations of all animals, and the Southeast U.S. is listed as one of the common flyover stops for these birds.

During these rest periods, the birds need time to eat and rest to gain enough energy to continue on the journey. When disturbed, it takes away from birds’ rest time.

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I

t’s that time of year again.

No, it’s not the holiday season.

It’s time to break out the additional signage to remind pet owners that no dogs are allowed on Longboat Key beaches.

Co-chair of Longboat Key North Maureen Merrigan said she and others have been noticing more dogs on the beaches, specifically early in the morning and at sunset, despite the town of Longboat Key’s ordinance.

Merrigan began reaching out to town staff to address the concerns.

Meanwhile, resident Cyndi Seamon learned of the discussions about

the issue at hand and decided to get involved.

“When I caught wind of possibly some dog issues, I went ahead and asked Public Works if I could go ahead and get those signs,” Seamon said.

For the past couple years, she has been helping put up larger signs that advise beachgoers to be mindful of the beach habitat.

The signs are currently at the Broadway Street and North Shore Road access points.

“I think it really is, like a lot of things, just about enforcing the ordinance and the rules,” Seamon said.

Merrigan agreed. Police enforcement and visibility makes a huge difference, she said, especially for those people who see the signs but don’t care.

Chapter 92 of the town’s Code of Ordinances outlines activities at public beaches, access points and

The fine for having dogs on the beach is $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second and $500 for the third, according to emails between Town Manager Howard Tipton, Merrigan, Seamon and other town staff.

Tipton also added that both the police and code enforcement officers can write the citations, and that when sea turtle season starts on May 1, code enforcement will be on the beaches more often.

YourObserver.com

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

Split decision What drove Jewfish Key residents to petition for de-annexation from Longboat Key? CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

O

ff the coast of Longboat Key’s north end, Jewfish Key is home to about 38 acres and eight properties. The property owners question whether it makes sense to be a part of Longboat Key. On Jan. 16, the Jewfish Key Preservation Association Inc. submitted a petition for de-annexation, or contraction, to the town of Longboat Key. The town is now required to conduct a feasibility study to determine if it makes sense for Jewfish Key to remain a part of the town or become part of unincorporated Manatee County.

“I think it’s an important question to be answered,” said Steve Ellis, a property owner on Jewfish Key. “And the study, I think, is going to help us figure that all out.”

Ellis first bought property on Jewfish Key about 20 years ago.

“The privacy you have between lots was unique,” Ellis said. “We’re not stuffed right up against each other; we’re really spread out.”

Aside from the privacy on land, the sandbar immediately off the island is what attracted some homeowners. It’s the same reason the sandbar draws large crowds during peak season, holidays and weekends.

“We used to enjoy the sandbar quite a bit,” Ellis said. “It’s probably more of an issue for us at this point.”

Ellis said that during much of the

BY THE NUMBERS According to the Manatee County Property Appraiser, there are 22 parcels along La Lenaire Drive on Jewfish Key. Steve Ellis said there are a total of eight homes on the island.

week, life on Jewfish Key is private.

But when the sandbar brings in large crowds, it can become a nuisance and an invasion of privacy.

One of the key reasons Ellis noted as to why the homeowners petitioned for the de-annexation was that the amount of taxes paid by the homeowners was high compared to the services received from the town.

“We pay pretty high taxes, and we don’t get an awful lot of service for those dollars,” Ellis said. “It’s an economic question.”

For example, Ellis said Jewfish Key homeowners were a part of the town’s assessment for the underground utility project. But Jewfish Key had underground power lines before the townwide project, according to Ellis.

Other routine services, like trash pickup, are things that Ellis said the homeowners don’t receive.

The town’s regulations that restrict short-term rentals were also a reason behind the petition.

“We’re forced to abide by the regulations of Longboat Key, which prevent us from renting our homes

File image

freely,” Ellis said.

The town has a minimum rental requirement of 30 days, except for about 30 properties that are zoned for tourism.

“We’d like to be able to have a little more flexibility. That’s one of the things we just can’t do based on the current situation,” Ellis said.

Getting to Jewfish Key also has proved difficult for some homeowners, according to Ellis.

When people want to get to Jewfish Key, it’s not possible to park in the Village because of parking regulations. Ellis said some have to rely on their creativity or own a slip or separate property elsewhere.

“We’re a totally independent island,” Ellis said. “I don’t know that (the town) has been able to make life on the island easy for us.”

Overall, Ellis said the Jewfish Key owners want to pose the question to see what makes the most sense, both in terms of their financial contribution for services received, as well as flexibility in regulations.

“I think those are reasonable questions to ask,” Ellis said. “And I don’t know that they’ve been asked before.”

WHAT’S NEXT?

The Jewfish Key Preservation Association Inc. acts as the homeowners association for the island. A petition to consider de-annexation required over 15% qualified voters on Jewfish Key to sign.

Florida Statutes Chapter 171 Section 51 states that now the town must undergo a feasibility study. Section 52 of the same chapter states areas that do not meet the criteria for annexation may be proposed for contraction.

The results of the study must be evaluated within six months of the petition receipt. The town is then able to look at the study and move forward with a contraction ordinance or reject the petition.

The timeline means the commission will likely hear the results before the summer hiatus, possibly in June, according to Town Attorney Maggie Mooney.

If the town were to propose a contraction ordinance and pass it, Jewfish Key would become a part of unincorporated Manatee County and would then be under the county’s jurisdiction.

Jewfish Key homeowners feel an invasion of privacy when the sandbar is crowded.

“We pay pretty high taxes, and we don’t get an awful lot of ­service for those dollars.

It’s an economic ­question.”

— Steve Ellis, Jewfish Key property owner

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE

Coastal Engineering Consultants is planning to begin bathymetric surveys of the canals on the bay side of the island March 24-31, although weather conditions may create some delay.

Residents may notice a vessel with instruments making multiple passes through the waterways.

Boaters are asked to give way to the survey vessel as safety allows. It will be mapping the seafloor along prescribed routes as part of the town’s canal maintenance efforts.

File image

Longboat Key’s canals were last surveyed in 2016.

Re-eval of the canals New surveys will provide an updated report on current canal conditions.

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

A

fter the confusion during the last attempt at creating a canal maintenance program, commissioners agreed on one thing: It’s time to get some new surveys.

The last time Longboat Key’s canals were surveyed was in 2016.

From March 24-31, survey crews will be on the waters of Longboat Key, conducting updated conditional surveys to figure out what is needed to get Longboat’s canals back to baseline.

Assistant Public Works Director Charlie Mopps said one of the problems that commissioners debated at the end of last year was the $17 million price tag that came with the initial cost of a canal maintenance program.

That cost was to rebaseline the town’s 81 canals to get them back to normal conditions. Hypothetically, after that would be completed, then

a maintenance program would be implemented.

But commissioners worried about rushing into the baseline work, which would have been another assessment for the town.

It was a tight deadline to get the program approved if it was to be on the 2024 tax roll.

Taylor Engineering and Anser Advisory, LLC presented an initial plan to Longboat Key town commissioners in November 2023, which left commissioners with more questions than answers.

The plan included dividing the town’s canals into seven groups and

classifying each canal based on its use.

The plan was complicated enough to stop the presentation, and it required Mopps to meet with commissioners one on one before going back a month later.

Mopps said that some of the commissioners who spend time boating around Longboat questioned whether the same baseline dredging effort was needed in all the canals.

At the end of the commission meeting in December 2023, commissioners directed Mopps to resurvey all the canals.

“We were looking at numbers that were generated from 2014 to 2016, which was the old survey,” Mopps said. “It’s already been eight to 10 years … what are the conditions of those canals, and let’s try to come up with some engineered solutions to try to reduce the overall cost of the program.”

Another suggestion taken by Mopps was to get a second opinion on the surveys.

“They wanted to get a fresh look on it, too,” he said.

Taylor Engineering conducted the last canal surveys, and the company has a long-standing relationship with the town, according to Mopps.

But for the new surveys, Mopps said the town decided to bring on Coastal Engineering Consultants and First Line Coastal.

Both have a history of working with the town, including projects like the beach nourishment project

in 2021, Beer Can Island dredging and the recently completed New Pass Groin project.

Mopps has a longer history working with Coastal Engineering Consultants from his time in Charlotte County.

There, he said the firm helped manage the county’s maintenance dredging program for over 20 years.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The updated surveys will be useful to compare to the previous survey from 2016.

They will give Mopps and the project team insight into the status of the canals and how the sands may have shifted in the last 10 years.

Mopps said one objective of the comparison is to explore alternatives to reduce the overall cost that initially concerned commissioners.

For example, Mopps said the ocean floor immediately to the right or left of access channels may be deeper than the channel itself.

In that case, it may be more costeffective to move the channel markers and save on the cost of dredging the canal.

The crews will be navigating Longboat’s canals from March 24-31, conducting a conditional survey.

“What this will do is give us an idea of what the conditions are right now,” Mopps said.

The boats used by the survey crews have multibeam sonar, and take close to 100 shots a second, Mopps estimated. Those images are relayed back to base stations that are calibrated on land.

Those images are then processed through software, like HYPACK, to be analyzed and show what the bottom of the canals looks like.

Mopps said after a week or two of survey work, it will take another two weeks to compile the results and get the data into a usable format.

Before going back to the commission, Mopps said he hopes to be able to make recommendations about how the initial costs can be reduced given the new data.

He said he plans on bringing the results before the commission around May, before the summer recess and while the budget process is still ongoing.

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

11A

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

OPINION / OUR VIEW

LONGBOAT

It was always a done deal Longboat residents didn’t really have a say about the Town Center Green. Town commissioners decided it would be a library.

MATT WALSH

T

he question cut to the quick.

Before the first charette began with Sarasota County Library officials last month, a Longboat Key resident raised his hand and asked: “Is this a done deal?”

They said it wasn’t. But it was.

It wasn’t a charette. More like a charade.

You’re getting a big library and quasi-community center whether you like it or not. And even though Longboat residents didn’t really have a say, this new county-owned building is going to be erected on the Town Center Green.

The Education Center? Sorry, not in the picture. As Mayor Ken Schneier told us Monday: “Since the Education Center charges for its classes, that would be a non starter, I’m told by the library, to have that facility in this space … The library is not changing it’s point of view, and it doesn’t include the education center.”

It’s a long story — the idea of bringing a Sarasota public library to Longboat Key. Just check out the excerpts below from the news archives of the Longboat Observer.

It goes back even farther than 2012.

Sarasota County Library officials

have sought for decades off and on to extend public library services to Longboat Key. But bless them, the determined ladies who ran the privately run Longboat Key Library on Bay Isles Road would not give in. They kept going — until they couldn’t anymore.

In March 2020, Longboat Library President Mary Baker told the Longboat Observer: “At the end of the day, the best thing we could do for Longboat Key is to bring full library services here.”

The door finally opened, and Mayor Ken Schneier and thenTown Manager Tom Harmer stepped in.

Even though the town’s partnership with Ringling College of Art and Design to develop an Arts, Cultural, Education Center had dissolved, some town commissioners continued to hold the dream and intent of having a four-acre town center in between Publix and the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center.

This was the moment. With commission support, Harmer then began the campaign to have a county library built on the Town Center Green.

You can see the progression of their efforts in the excerpts below — how Schneier and Harmer had what Harmer called “high-level discussions” with Sarasota County Administrator Jonathan Lewis, and how commissioners discussed the idea with Sarasota County commissioners.

On April 27, 2022, in a joint session of both commissions, Harmer made what he called “the ask.”He asked Sarasota County commissioners to fund the construction of a public library on Longboat Key. He never said explicitly this library would be sited on the Town Center Green, but the implication was obvious. The first two items on that

day’s agenda were discussions of a library and the town’s plans for a town center.

Town commissioners left that meeting with a commitment from Sarasota County Commissioner Chair Al Maio money would be appropriated to begin the project.

The deal was done.

From that meeting in April 2022 up to January 2023, Harmer and Lewis worked out details. At a Jan. 23, 2023, Town Commission meeting, Harmer presented town commissioners with a “principles agreement,” spelling out what the county would agree to do. Among Harmer’s comments to commissioners: “Prior to COVID, there was a formal request by the town and Town Commission for a library on Longboat Key. They (the county) indicated their support to advance that.

And then COVID came, and they froze their budgets and restricted capital projects …

“I asked them to consider a 50-year (lease) instead of a 99-year.

They ultimately agreed to that …

They did indicate what a library would include. That is important because that has evolved from our earlier discussions with the county.

They were talking about a very small space, like 1,000, 1,100, 1,600 square feet, a very small space with just the circulation component.

“Now they’re talking about more of what I would say is typical new library for them. They stated here it included the circulation space, public technology use, larger community space, conference rooms, reading room, collaboration spaces.

“They indicated they would design, construct, maintain and operate the facility. It would be a county facility.

“They have also understood that the town may be interested in some add-ons to the facility … Those would be funded separately. But they would be responsible for the base facility.”

Not a word of objection followed.

So here we are, a year later. You can find ample Longboat residents

who are surprised. Over the past month-and-a-half, in this space and in conversations around town, Longboat residents apparently thought what was to be developed with the county was still open for discussion. Indeed, in our unscientific survey two weeks ago, more respondents expressed support for an education center and community center than for a library.

And even though Mayor Schneier said at a commission meeting in February he was open to ideas, the fact is the deal was done. Town commissioners decided Longboat Key should have a county library on the Town Center Green. They decided and pursued this without seeking an unequivocal expression of support from the residents of Longboat Key. They decided. The people did not.

“I’m not sure,” said BJ Bishop at the Feb. 20 Town Commission meeting, “that maybe other than (Vice Mayor) Mike (Haycock) and Ken have gotten to participate in a discussion of our priorities for this project … Because quite honestly, I don’t think I have had any of those discussions.”

When we reread Observer editorials from the past four years, the Observer twice urged the town to conduct valid surveys, polls or referenda to determine what Longboat Key residents support and really want.

Even back in February 2019, when the town was in its partnership with Ringling College, Jim Brown, former mayor and then-president of the Longboat Key Foundation, told us Longboat Key residents and taxpayers first needed to answer one fundamental question: Do Longboaters want a cultural, arts and education center with a “black box” theater or just a cultural, arts and education center that can host lectures, art exhibits and community gatherings?

We never found out.

It didn’t matter.

It’s not up to you. You’re getting a library — like it or not.

How the library became sited at Town Center Green Editor’s Note: The following is a timeline of excerpts of news stories from the Longboat Observer showing how discussions of a Sarasota County public library evolved to being designated for the Town Center Green.

Nov. 7, 2012: Longboat Library discusses options with Sarasota County The Sarasota County Commission approved a grant of $20,000 in February for the Longboat Library, but made it clear that it was a one-time deal.

Now, the Longboat Library is looking for ways to work with the Sarasota County Library System.

But, in many ways, the county is limited in the extent that it can support the nonprofit, all-volunteer library because it charges for membership.

It’s a point that Sarabeth Kalajian, director of the county library system, stressed last month when the Sarasota County Board of Commissioners and the Longboat Key Town Commission held a joint meeting that included discussion about library services.

The library system’s state aid is predicated on the point that libraries are free, Kalajian said at the Oct. 1 meeting.

March 4, 2020: Sarasota County library could be added on Longboat At a joint meeting Feb. 26 commissioners preliminarily discussed what it would take to add a county library on Longboat and whether those services would extend to both Sarasota County and Manatee County residents.

Most county commissioners seemed in favor of the library and said they would look to set aside funds during the upcoming budget cycle. However, they are still unsure

of what the service would look like.

Because the Longboat Library requires a fee, Sarasota County could not partner with the organization without losing state funding.

Instead, it would have to partner directly with the town of Longboat Key …

“At the end of the day, the best thing we could do for Longboat Key is to bring full library services here,” Longboat Library President Mary Baker said. “I’m committed to doing anything I can to help that.”

Some commissioners suggested taking over the lease the current Longboat Library has with the town. However, that lease ends June 15, 2021, and requires a one-year notice, so commissioners would have to let the current occupants know by June 15, 2020.

Longboat Vice Mayor Ed Zunz said he would like to see a new library fixture be considered for the proposed town center.

Dec. 8, 2021: Mayor advocates for Sarasota County-operated library in Longboat Key The COVID-19 pandemic put Longboat Key’s request for a county-operated library on hold but town leaders are again expressing their desire to bring a Sarasota County-operated library to the island.

On Monday, Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier wrote a letter to the Sarasota County Commission.

“We feel the timing is right to reignite plans to construct a library on Longboat Key and understand that town and county staff are looking at ways to establish incremental library services,” Schneier wrote …

Schneier wrote in his letter that Longboat Library leadership has indicated support for a transition to a public library. The plan would be for the group to support the Sarasota County Library “in a volunteer relationship as Friends of

the Sarasota County Library.”

Also, (Town Manager Tom) Harmer said a new Sarasota County-operated library would complement the Town Center site.

May 1, 2022: County leaders talk about how to bring library to Longboat with four proposals Following an exchange of verbal good vibrations between leaders of the Sarasota County Commission and the Longboat Key Town Commission, at least new four proposals for financing a county-run library and community center on the island surfaced last week at a joint meeting in Sarasota.

Among them: potential cooperation with Manatee County and Sarasota County Schools on funding operating costs; state money to help propel the project; federal grant money; and even tax money expected to begin flowing from the Residences at St. Regis Resort Longboat Key in 2025.

Town leaders came to the meeting with a proposed timeline that kicks off with upgraded remote library services for island residents this year, followed by a path that includes the project landing on the county’s five-year, capitalimprovement project budget …

(Sarasota County Commission Chairman Al) Maio, who has been speaking with Schneier and Town Manager Tom Harmer about the proposal, told Harmer in the joint meeting he would formally recommend to the County Commission that the library/community center be folded into upcoming budget discussions …

May 30, 2022: Sarasota County adds $1 million for town library development It appears as a note on the bottom of the 72nd page of a 222-page budget workshop presentation,

delivered to Sarasota County Commissioners last week.

Seven words.

Underneath a table that lists about $7.7 million for computer and circulation materials purchases for the Libraries and Historical Resources Department, $2 million in 2024 spending for a county history center and the expansion of the Fruitville Library and about $9 million for technology and books is a line that reads: “$1M in funding for future library design” ...

That $1 million added to the county’s 2023 capital improvement plan budget of $171.9 million is the first component of a series of requests Longboat Key leaders made of their county counterparts, with the goal of seeking financial assistance for the planning, design, construction and operation of a library/community center at the Town Center Green land.

Feb. 2, 2023: Town lays out expectations of county library project The town of Longboat Key is putting in writing what it considers important in its relationship with Sarasota County as the two governments move forward with plans for the Town Center library project …

Over the past few years, the town has been advocating for a community center and library to be a focal point for the development of the Town Center Green. During the town’s joint meeting with the Sarasota County Commission on April 27, 2022, the town requested the County Commission consider monetarily supporting the construction of the library.

“We look forward to collaborating with the Town of Longboat Key to provide this much-wanted amenity in a way that complements the town’s vision for their Town Center Green project,” said Sarasota County Administrator Jonathan Lewis.

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

Friedrich Hayek

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

Proposed projects often stir diverse reactions. The activation of Ken Thompson Park is just one example, reflecting the diversity of opinions that is a cornerstone of healthy communities.

Every voice, regardless of its volume, is vital, as this diversity enriches the dialogue and ensures the project ultimately reflects our community’s needs and aspirations.

A minority of citizens, perhaps well intentioned, have started to present opinions not grounded in fact as undeniable truths. This approach, often amplified by its loudness, obscures the dialogue with misinformation, creating a situation where the most vocal, rather than the most informed, seem to dictate the story. The misalignment between volume and validity is disheartening and the silent majority loses out.

We will be initiating a series of town halls for all residents to learn the facts, express their views and partake in meaningful discussions about our project. This initiative underscores our commitment to transparency and inclusivity, aiming to bring our community together in a spirit of collaborative decision-making.

We need to seek out accurate information, challenge our assumptions and approach discussions with openness and a willingness to understand different perspectives.

Let us not be adversaries but collaborators, united in the shared goal of improving our city.

— JEFF KOFFMAN PARK GOLF SARASOTA

Library is not a priority We attended both Sarasota County library sessions and are compelled to offer our observations.

The town’s county partner is in the “modern” library business and does an excellent job at the Selby Library downtown and with its

county “modern” library is not at the top of Longboat Key residents’ priority list.

— BOB AND SHANNON GAULT LONGBOAT KEY

Come and gone

Courtesy image

A rendering of a portion of Park Golf Sarasota’s concept for Ken Thompson Park on City Island.

regional libraries.

Its understandable mission was evident by its inadequate response to the town residents’ input of adding needed community meeting space and for Education Center programming and space.

This is not surprising. The county is focused, of course, on planning for its 8,000-squarefoot “modern” library concept, which is suited to a semi-urban population of all ages.

Longboat Key demographics are 82% over the age of 60 and 55% over 70, based on 2022 Census Reporter. Clearly, the “modern” library, including space for youngsters to work on ideas, is not useful to a seniors population.

Also, the 12,000-square-foot parcel available in the Town Center Green is simply not large enough for the 8,000-square-foot “modern” library and fulfilling residents’ requested Community and Education Center meeting space “enhancements.”

It is crystal clear that based on a relatively recent town resident survey in 2022 and the recent Observer online survey that there are many different opinions.

However, there is a clear majority

opinion that sets the top priorities for community center meeting space and adult education meeting facility.

So what to do in listening to and acting on town resident priorities?

The town should build the needed community meeting and education center. In addition, include a small library book distribution and return counter for books ordered on the county library website for periodic delivery and pick up at the community center facility.

This service is available and would save the county money.

There is another popular option to keep the Town Center Green open green space — to provide adequate space for unlimited fun and high-use events, such as seasonal holiday events, music festivals, art shows, craft shows, car shows, boat shows, the weekly marketplace, concerts, plays, charity events, etc. and adequate space for mobile food and beverage offerings.

Repurpose the existing Longboat Key Library site next to Town Hall for community meeting and education space.

Last but not least, the town and

county should always be close partners in protecting and providing services to residents. However, this library “partnership” is fundamentally and foundationally at cross purposes, considering Longboat residents’ “spoken” and researched priority needs versus a relatively large “modern” library.

Town Center available land is limited.

Good partnerships must have common goals and objectives; resident feedback priorities say we don’t.

Given the large tax contribution Sarasota County receives from half of Longboat Key, there should be a contribution from the county to help build our Community and Education Center and Library book distribution facility.

Finally, our Town Center should be totally owned and controlled by the town of Longboat Key for obvious reasons.

Unfortunately, the Town Commission is on track to approve a Sarasota County Library on Longboat that Longboat Key citizens have not asked for, and commissioners are putting it in the wrong place for the wrong reasons.

This is mismanagement. A

If you know anything about Longboat Key, you know that it offers a slower pace and a glimpse into Old Florida, which has essentially come and gone.

Residents and visitors are reminded of this each time they pass over the bridge that announces the north end of the Key. Thriving mangroves and playful dolphins, as do the residents of Northgate, call the crystal blue waters surrounding the bridge home.

While Northgate offers a charming, unassuming condo association, it is not without the impacts of a highly traveled tourism destination.

We live by a beautiful bridge, but that bridge has steady traffic due to an already overdeveloped Coquina and Bradenton beach.

We start stirring around 4:30 a.m. when the traffic starts trickling in. We’re familiar with the noise it brings in the morning, as well as the vessel and motor vehicle noise that arrives later in the day.

On Sundays, we prepare for raucous boat activity on Beer Can Island, which, unfortunately, seems to be underregulated. We encounter trespassing and not only does it feel like a violation, it often feels like danger. When belligerent drinking goes unregulated, neighborhoods suffer.

We’re asking you, the town, to support the neighborhoods you represent. We’ve been fortunate enough to meet Commissioner Sarah Karon on our property. I ask that you all come experience for yourself the vulnerable air, land and sea that FDOT is threatening by ignoring organized, thoughtful neighborhood recommendations.

LETTERS

Dialogue needed on park project

— AMANDA GRAY LONGBOAT KEY

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

Future of the ferries Gulf Islands Ferry recently added two days to the schedule.

Talks continue on adding vessels and a Longboat stop.

STAFF WRITER

T

he Gulf Islands Ferry debuted in January and, after a strong start, the service has already expanded its days of operation. There are more plans in the works, too, according to Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione.

“We saw demand right out of the gate,” Falcione said.

Riders range from residents to visitors, and the demand comes in several forms.

“I think, from a local standpoint, it was intrigue more than anything,” Falcione said. “Many of us residents have never been on the Manatee River heading out to Anna Maria Island.

So right there and then we’ve had that pent-up demand.”

For visitors, the ferry can be a way to avoid traffic or experience a different mode of transportation.

Falcione estimated that ferry ridership is at about 375 passengers on a full day with good weather. That could mean about 150-160 cars off the road, he added.

The service is weather-dependent. There are some days where passengers may experience some windy conditions or some sea spray — for that, Falcione said he’s working on getting branded ponchos to give to riders.

“We want to make sure the experience is pleasurable for all the riders,” Falcione said.

At launch, the service was running Friday through Sunday. Two ferries — the Downtown Duchess and the

TICKET TO RIDE

One-way tickets for adults cost $6; $4 for active military, seniors 60 to 80 years old, and children aged 4-18; and free for children 3 years or younger and seniors over 80 years old.

Round-trip tickets are $10 for adults; $6 for active military, seniors 60 to 80 years old, and children aged 4-18; and free for children 3 years or younger and seniors over 80 years old.

For more information about the schedule, or to purchase tickets, go to the ferry’s website at GulfCoastWaterTaxi. com.

Miss Anna Maria — each with two crew members currently run the operation.

Falcione said it’s also important to note that the service is subsidized by the tourism tax, up to $400,000.

After seeing the demand, Falcione said the next step was to build up staff and crew, which ultimately led to Thursdays being added to the schedule.

Most recently, Wednesdays were tacked onto the schedule. The ferry now runs Wednesday through Sunday, which Falcione said is probably the schedule for the rest of this season.

Next year, it may be a different story.

“The objective, starting February of next year, we may be running seven days a week,” Falcione said.

Included in that expansion goal

Carter Weinhofer

The Gulf Islands Ferry now operates Wednesdays through Sundays.

is to operate year-round at that capacity, which will be especially important during busy holidays like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.

Apart from adding days to the schedule, Falcione hopes to add vessels to the fleet.

He’s begun conversations to purchase a covered water ferry, which would also be a little faster. With a covered vessel, it would be less likely that the service would be suspended due to weather.

This faster vessel would most likely only take people between downtown Bradenton and Anna Maria Island. Then, the other ferries could be used to move people between the islands, per his plan.

Falcione wants to get that vessel ordered soon, pending board approval.

More stops are also in the works for the ferry service.

Talks have begun with the city of Palmetto to bring the ferry service to the Bradenton Area Convention Center, according to Falcione. He said he hopes that will happen by the end of 2024 or early 2025.

Another stop soon will be on Coquina Beach.

“You know, it’s one step at a time,” Falcione said. “We learn something new every day. I’m excited to see where we’re at this time next year.”

Falcione also mentioned that a Longboat Key stop is on his list of objectives.

POSSIBILITY ON THE KEY

Recent conversations with the town of Longboat Key have focused on the town boat ramp at Linley Street, according to Falcione.

He said there weren’t many other options on Longboat Key. Plus the proximity to Mar Vista and Shore would make it an ideal destination for tourists looking for a place to eat.

Town Manager Howard Tipton confirmed that those conversations were focused on that location. The timing is also ideal, he said, because the town is looking into a project to revamp the dock.

It would depend on how the ferry would navigate into that area, but conceptually, Tipton said the stop may be a possibility.

Aside from bringing people to the popular restaurants, Tipton said having a ferry as a mode of transportation could help employees who work on Longboat Key. “We know transportation is a challenge, we know traffic is a headache,” Tipton said. “We would love to explore that with them as part of the economic development side.”

Tipton said it’s challenging to find a good spot for the ferry on the island.

Bayfront Park, for example, would be difficult to navigate, and then there isn’t much to do around there, he said.

So far, the stop at the town boat ramp was a part of a preliminary conversation, according to Tipton.

The topic is also planned to be discussed at the town’s April 30 joint meeting with Manatee County.

“We’re interested in exploring those conversations, and see where that might go,” Tipton said. “Anything that helps take cars off the road, we’re willing to look at.”

422298-1

CARTER WEINHOFER

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

Republican Club of Longboat Key, Inc. P.O. Box 8181 Longboat Key, FL 34228-8181

Mayor Ken Schneier and Vice Mayor Mike Haycock were sworn in for another year.

DINNER MEETING!

Carter Weinhofer

No contest for commission seats

Tuesday, April 9th, 2024 Reception: 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM Dinner / Meeting: 6:00 PM to 8 PM

LBK town leadership remains in place after uncontested runs.

Sarasota Yacht Club 1100 Ringling Blvd.

Sarasota, FL 34236

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

E

COME LISTEN TO A FEW OF OUR LOCAL REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR 2024!

very year, Longboat Key town commissioners can nominate fellow commissioners to take the reins as mayor and vice mayor.

Both Mayor Ken Schneier and Vice Mayor Mike Haycock received the only nominations for their respective positions, which were both validated by a unanimous vote.

Commissioner-At-Large BJ Bishop nominated Schneier to keep his mayoral position. She said this coming year is critical to see the end of projects like the Sarasota County library and the underground utilities project.

“I think it would be critical that you have this coming year to finish that work off for us,” Bishop said as a part of her nomination.

Schneier’s first term as District 3 commissioner began in March 2020, and he is currently in his second and last term, which expires in March 2026. Town commissioners serve three-year terms and have a twoterm limit. This will be Schneier’s fourth year as mayor.

“I want to thank you all for the confidence in me for another year,”

Karen Rose is a candidate for re-election to the Sarasota School Board.

A member of the Republican Club of Longboat Karen Rose has had the honor of serving children and families for 28 years in Sarasota County Schools as a special education teacher, principal and executive director of middle schools. Karen developed the N. County Gifted Program, a college and career program, and brought the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program to Sarasota. As a trail blazer in science, technology, and math education, she is most proud of her leadership role in our middle schools’ STEMsmart Classrooms.

Karen graduated from Youngstown State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and the University of South Florida with a master’s degree in education and completed a USF program in educational leadership and administration. Karen is married to Dan Miller, and they have one son.

Schneier said. “I have two more years before terming out as a commissioner … I strongly suggest that we, as a body, think about the future a little bit so that, a year from now, we are able to move forward into the future with someone else who would be willing to take this job on.”

Schneier said, ideally, it would be a good idea to nominate someone else while he is still serving on the commission so that he can make introductions and help the transition.

Bishop also made the nomination for Haycock to remain as vice mayor, which was upheld with a unanimous vote.

This month also meant the start of a new term for District 2 Commissioner Penny Gold and District 4 Commissioner Debra Williams.

In November 2023, the application period for the commission seat closed, and Gold and Williams were the only applicants for their districts.

Since there was no opposition, there was no need for a preliminary election or a general municipal election, the latter of which would have been held on March 19.

Gold was sworn in at the March 25 statutory meeting to solidify her second and final term as commissioner.

Williams was called out of town and was unable to attend the March 25 meeting, so she was sworn in on March 22 at Town Hall.

Both of their final terms will extend until March 2027.

DIOCESE OF VENICE IN FLORIDA

Talha “Tal” Siddique is a candidate for Manatee County Commission Chair in the 2024 Republican Primary for the District 3 Seat.

EASTER SUNDAY

A member of The Republican Club of Longboat Key, Tal is a servantleader who has worked in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the U.S. Air Force. He has successfully built and scaled IT consulting businesses across the globe.

CATHOLIC MASS for the HOMEBOUND

Tal earned his bachelor’s degree in organizational sciences with a minor in Computer Science at The George Washington University.

He is married to Kristen Truong, and they reside in Manatee County.

Scott Farrington is a candidate for Supervisor of Elections for Manatee County.

Scott has served 11 years as the number two in the current SOE, Mike Bennett’s, office and had previously served as a top official in Sarasota County’s SOE office. He is the only certified elections administrator in Manatee County and holds the title of Florida Master Certified Election Professional. Scott has over 21 years of experience in elections administration This includes over 50 elections including five Presidential and six Gubernatorial Election Cycles, as well as special and municipal elections.

Scott graduated from Community Christian High School in Oneco, FL and earned a bachelor’s in business and a masters in managing information systems at the University of South Florida. Scott is married to Amy, and they have one son.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

R ise TO A N E W V I E W

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VISTA RE

3TDUAL

Y CA

EXPL O

at SHELL POINT

VIR TOUR

Rising above the shores of the Caloosahatchee River — just minutes from the islands of Sanibel and Captiva — is Vista Cay, a collection of sophisticated waterfront residences featuring awe-inspiring vistas. For a limited time, future residents can choose their views and enjoy Shell Point’s resort amenities and award-winning lifecare while building is underway. This rare opportunity to select a new construction residence in Shell Point’s most renowned neighborhood won’t last long. Take a virtual tour, register for a seminar, or request an appointment by visiting MeetVistaCay.org.

Championship Golf • Deep-Water Marina • Fine Dining • Award-Winning Lifecare FROM $1.4 MILLION NOW ACCEPTING DEPOSITS MeetVistaCay.org • (239) 466-1131 Shell Point is located just minutes from the islands of Sanibel and Captiva, along the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers, Florida.

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Shell Point is a nonprofit ministry of The Christian and Missionary Alliance Foundation, Inc. All renderings, maps, site plans, photos, simulated views, floor plans and all other information herein are conceptual and should not be relied upon as representing the final detail. Dimensions, features, and specifications of the proposed development and residences are subject to change without notice.

Furnishings are represented for illustration purposes only. ©2024 Shell Point. All rights reserved. SLS-4921-24

SLS-4921-24 Longboat Key-Palm Coast Observer.indd 1

1/31/24 9:04 AM

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

COPS CORNER

ADVERTISEMENT MONDAY, MARCH 18

GOLF CART MIX-UP 9:39 a.m., 600 block of Jackson Way Suspicious Incident: An officer responded to a report of a stolen golf cart. At the scene, the responding officer spoke with the caller, who said she found her golf cart down the block. The officer and caller walked to the golf cart, and she confirmed it was hers. A bystander realized that what must have happened was that the Village had a St. Patrick’s Day party the night before, and someone took the wrong golf cart home by mistake. The officer spoke to the people staying at the house where the golf cart was found, and the confusion was later cleared up by everyone retrieving their own golf carts.

Will Your Retirement Last 30 Years?

Here’s what you should know about planning ahead for today’s average retirement from age 62 to 92.

“We often describe today’s retirement experience as a marathon,” said John B. Leeming CFP®, president at JL Bainbridge. “You need pacing and preparation. And the last thing anyone wants is to run out of gas along the way.” In financial terms, this is called “outliving your money.”

WARRANT SERVED AT SEA 2:54 p.m., Linley Street Boat Ramp Vehicle Stop: While on marine patrol, an officer noticed a vessel dragging a bow line that was in danger of fouling a propeller. The officer realized the vessel’s registration matched a “be on the lookout” alert from the U.S. Coast Guard. The warning about the vessel included that the operator had two active felony warrants. The marine patrol officer stopped the vessel and said he was going to conduct a safety check of the vessel. The wanted operator asked if he could anchor his vessel and, while he was distracted in doing so, another officer came aboard the marine patrol boat. Once there were two officers present, the marine patrol officer asked the operator to step aboard the marine patrol boat, where he was handcuffed. The suspect was later transported to jail on land.

For example, those nearing retirement age should be aware of how to take full advantage of optimizing their contributions to retirement plans. The IRS allows catch-up contributions and recently introduced new contribution limits and other related changes. But the requirements and options for making adjustments are affected by several factors. In other words, it’s complicated.

Let’s go back to the marathon analogy. By starting early, creating a comprehensive financial plan, diversifying your investments, and staying flexible, you’ll improve your chances of pacing yourself for financial success with confidence— even for a thirty-year retirement.

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SAME OLD GRAFFITI 6:16 p.m., 7200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Officer Public Service: A caller reported that graffiti was on the Longboat Pass Bridge and a rope was hanging from the bridge. When the officer arrived on the scene, it

DUMPSTER DIVER DEFENSE 9:14 a.m., 5300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Suspicious Person: Dispatch sent officers to a restaurant, where it was reported that a suspicious person was going through the dumpster.

The officer spoke with the man, who said he was collecting bait for fishing. One officer spoke with the restaurant manager, who said he had no problem with the man. The complainant was informed that the dumpster diver had permission to carry on.

TUESDAY, MARCH 19

WRONG TYPE OF ACCIDENT 12:48 p.m., 600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Officer Public Service: Dispatch alerted an officer to a possible traffic crash, which was reported by a cellphone’s crash detector. Before police arrived at the scene, dispatch spoke to the cellphone owner, who said the phone had been dropped by accident.

BE THE ONE

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Disclosure: JL Bainbridge is a registered investment adviser. J.L. Bainbridge & Co., Inc., is not a broker dealer and does not offer tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor for assistance regarding your individual situation.

Registration of an Investment Adviser does not imply any level of skill or training.

It should neither be assumed that future results will be as profitable or that a loss could not be incurred. For more information on our firm and our investment advisor representatives, please review our Form ADV, Privacy Notice, and Form CRS at jlbainbridge.com and reference the SEC website for more information on the firm and its advisors: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/108058.

Identifying the SEC as our regulator does not imply any level of skill or training.

MONDAY, MARCH 18

To Save More Lives!

Scan the QR Code Before Noon Today to Save More Lives! >> —— Cat Depot 2542 17th St, Sarasota, FL 34234 (941) 366‐2404 | catdepot.org

1582 Main Street Sarasota, FL 34236

was determined that the graffiti had been there for a while, and the officer removed the rope in question.

• Tinnitus Evaluation • Hearing Aid Consultations • Hearing Aid Fittings • Rehab & Preventive Hearing Consultations

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We all dream of a happy, healthy retirement. But when most people envision this, they think of a beautiful snapshot—not an epic, decades-long journey. Of course, your journey can be as enjoyable as you imagine it, but you’ll still need to find some way to finance it.

SATURDAY, MARCH 16

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

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Two Steps Forward, No Steps Back When injury or accident knocks you off your stride, recovery can’t come quickly enough.

At Sarasota Memorial, award-winning orthopedic surgeons and Magnet-recognized nurses join forces with a nationally acclaimed rehabilitation services program to form a comprehensive care team that gives every patient the individualized treatment they need to get back on their feet and back to their best life.

From total joint replacement to specialized physical and occupational therapy, our physicians find the solutions you need to keep moving forward.

Because while age and injury may be a natural part of life, at Sarasota Memorial, so is a full recovery.

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smh.com/ortho

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

PET PICS

Sunday Worship 9am & 11am

Join us for Fellowship & Coffee Hour at 10am

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

5pm

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Contemporary Style Message • Communion

40 North Adams Drive, Sarasota, FL • 941.388.1234

Sea

563 Bay Isles Road Longboat Key, FL

All Angels by the

941-383-8161

www.AllAngelsLBK.org

Episcopal Church

Maundy Thursday, March 28 Holy Communion – 4 p.m.

Good Friday, March 29 Solemn Liturgy – 12 noon

Easter Day, March 31

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8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Organ, Chancel Choir and Handbells

St. Mary, Star of the Sea,

CATHOLIC CHURCH Welcomes You, Your Family Members, & Friends to

Celebrate Holy Week with Our Parish Community ALL EARS: Bentley enjoys his Easter basket at Spanish Main Yacht Club.

HOLY THURSDAY:

GOOD FRIDAY:

9am Liturgy of the Hours Prayers, 12pm Stations of the Cross • 3pm The Lord’s Passion, Veneration of the Cross, Holy Communion

HOLY SATURDAY:

10am Easter Basket Blessings • 6pm Easter Vigil

EASTER SUNDAY:

Mass at 7:30am, 9:30am, 11:30am

To learn more about our Temple and all our educational, cultural, and social programs, please call us. We’d be delighted to talk with you.

Questions? Email us at info@longboatkeytemple.org

4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive Longboat Key, FL 34228 383-1255 • www.stmarylbk.org

Growing in Jesus’ Name

Rev. Robert Dziedziak, Pastor

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OVERFLOW 9:30 EASTER SUNDAY MASS IN FATHER EDWARD PICK HALL

567 Bay Isles Rd, Longboat Key, FL

HOLY WEEK SERVICES

Open Arms, Loving Hearts, Accepting Minds

MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE

Please Join Us for Holy Week

Thursday, March 28 • 7:30 PM "As We've Been Done To" Communion Service remembering the Last Supper.

Choir will sing “Hope of The World.”

MARCH 29TH - 6:00 P.M. Good Friday Service in the Sanctuary

GOOD FRIDAY TENEBRAE SERVICE

MARCH 31ST - EASTER SERVICES

Friday, March 29 • 7:30 PM

EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE

“Shadows of The Passion” is a dramatic retelling of the drama leading to

in the Friendship Garden - 7:00 A.M.

Jesus' crucifixion using narratives from Scripture with musical commentary.

Presented by sopranos Pamela Snauwaert and Alexa Lowrey, and baritone Dennis Piermont (composer) who will also accompany on classical guitar.

EASTER SERVICE WITH ORCHESTRA

in the Sanctuary - 10:00 A.M.

EASTER DAY SERVICE

Special music, inspiring messages, and loving folks at all services.

Sunday, March 31 • 10:00 AM “Fools for Love” A Festival Service with Choir, Organ, and Trumpet

6400 Gulf of Mexico Dr. • 941.383.8833 (office) • www.christchurchoflbk.org

longboatkeytemple.org

An Ecumenical Church that Welcomes all People Founded in 1956

Dr. Julia Wharff Piermont, Pastor

6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, Florida 34228 941.383.6491 | longboatislandchapel.org 416734-1

Visitors & Residents Welcome • Childcare Available Watch any service via livestream at: www.bit.ly/cclbksermons

941-383-3428

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Rejoice!

You are invited to join us in worship, song & friendship at Shabbat services every Sharing Values, Friendship, and Faith Friday evening at 5:30 pm and Saturdays at 10 am.

Lord’s Warehouse

THRIFT SHOP Mon., Wed. & Sat. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

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He is Risen!

9am Liturgy of the Hours Prayers, 4pm Mass-Lord’s Supper & Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass until 7pm

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

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The Next Evolution of Waterfront Luxury

Limited Offering of Grand Residences on Sarasota’s Bayfront

From the intuitive service to the panoramic vistas, the timeless spirit of The Ritz-Carlton is embraced in an exceptional harborside setting in the cultural heart of Florida. The modern sophistication of the refined design is complemented by an incomparable array of newly unveiled private amenities and services including exclusive access to The Harbor Club.

Waterfront Luxury Residences from $3.7 to over $12M

Presentation Gallery Now Open at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota Hotel 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Sarasota, Florida 34236 941.499.8704 | TheResidencesSarasotaBay.com

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ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SELLER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS BROCHURE AND TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A SELLER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. This is not intended to be an offer to sell, or solicitation to buy, condominium units to residents of any jurisdiction where prohibited by law, and your eligibility for purchase will depend upon your state of residency. The offering is made only by the prospectus for the condominium and no statement should be relied upon if not made in the prospectus. The sketches, renderings, graphic materials, plans, specifications, terms, conditions and statements contained in these materials are proposed only, and the Developer reserves the right to modify, revise or withdraw any or all of same in its sole discretion and without prior notice. Views shown in presentation materials are general representations and do not specifically guarantee a specific view from any specific unit or units. The Developer currently intends to develop the project in phases and no representation is made as to whether all phases of the development will be completed, and if so, in what order the phases will be developed. Accordingly, the final size of the project, including amenities both within the Condominium, the Club component and any future proposed phase of the development, is subject to change without notice. The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota Bay are not owned, developed or sold by Marriott International, Inc. or its affiliates (“Ritz-Carlton”). KT Sarasota South, LLC uses The Ritz-Carlton marks under a license from Ritz-Carlton, which has not confirmed the accuracy of any of the statements or representations made herein.

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

1211 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE #603

$1,595,000

Experience the breathtaking vistas of the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay from the terrace of this coastal Promenade retreat. Upon entering this 6th-floor residence, you’re greeted by a meticulously maintained 2BR sanctuary, boasting a beautifully updated layout designed for comfort and relaxation. Walls of glass sliders flood the interior with natural light. www.Promenade603.com

SELLIN G LUXURY WATERFR ONT PR OPE RTY FOR 3 9 YE A R S

7180 MANASOTA KEY ROAD

$3,895,000

Escape to paradise! Nestled amidst lush tropical foliage, this remarkable 4BR/5BA Key West-style, direct Gulf-front home (with private guest cottage) spans more than 3,200 SF and has undergone an extensive renovation inside and out. www.7180ManasotaKey.com

601 LOTUS LANE - SIESTA BAYSIDE

$3,595,000

455 LONGBOAT CLUB ROAD #305

$2,995,000

Escape to paradise on Siesta Key at this 2017 custom-built waterfront home. This 3BR + office residence exudes quality and style, with gated entry, and outdoor entertaining that blends effortlessly with the chic interior. Includes dock and lift. www.601LotusLane.com

With a spacious layout encompassing 3BR and an impressive nearly 3,000 SF of living space, prepare to be captivated by the breathtaking beach and sunset views as you step inside.

Includes covered parking and first-rate amenities. www.Pierre305.com

1901 MORRILL STREET

$2,950,000

1350 MAIN STREET #1701

$2,349,000

201 NORTH WASHINGTON DRIVE

$2,195,000

4305 MARINA VIEW WAY

$1,700,000

4317 MARINA VIEW WAY

$1,550,000

3060 GRAND BAY BOULEVARD #152

$1,495,000

4318 MARINA VIEW WAY

$1,250,000

1826 HAWKINS COURT

$999,000

4004 CASCINA WAY

$899,000

1974 HYDE PARK STREET

$699,000

743 ANNA HOPE LANE

$629,000

631 NORTH ORANGE AVENUE #107

$395,000

Life in Sarasota’s Historic District is an enviable experience that places you within minutes of downtown, the bayfront, theaters, museums and more. This stunningly updated, 7BR family compound offers many exciting possibilities. www.1901MorrillStreet.com

Nestled within a secure gated community, this brand-new 3BR home graces Florida’s southwest Gulf coast. Where contemporary coastal living blends with luxury and sustainability. www.HuntersPointFL.com

Relish the opportunity to immediately enjoy exceptional living at Hunters Point. This 3BR new build effortlessly combines coastal living with luxury and sustainability. www.HuntersPointFL.com

This updated, 2BR home is perfectly placed within the soughtafter Southside Village community. Offered fully furnished and move-in ready, waiting for you to make if your own. www.1974HydePark.com

Step inside this downtown penthouse and discover the epitome of urban living at its best. This 3BR residence is ideally situated in a sunlit, top-floor spot, in the heart of the city center. Includes two parking spaces! www.1350Main1701.com

Introducing the new construction, waterfont community of Hunters Point, where contemporary coastal living blends effortlessly with luxury and sustainability. www.HuntersPointFL.com

In the heart of Laurel Park neighborhood is the charming Cottage Walk. This 3BR furnished home is where contemporary urban living meets the charm of a townhouse retreat. www.1826HawkinsCourt.com

This sunny 3BR residence in Rivendell boasts a brand-new roof (2023), and newer A/C in 2021. You will love the generous 2,100+ SF layout and wonderful community amenities. www.743AnnaHope.com

The walkable location of this St. Armands homesite will immediately draw you in, offering an oversized, 1/4-acre lot for you to design your dream home. The best of Sarasota is a sunny bike ride away. www.201NorthWashington.com

Prepare to be enchanted by the open concept design of this 3BR Grand Bay retreat, offering breathtaking views of the verdant Harbourside Golf Course, bay and the Gulf. www.GrandBay152.com

Indulge in the convenience of newer construction in South Sarasota with this exceptional 3BR Taylor Morrison built home in sought-after Cobblestone on Palmer Ranch. www.4004CascinaWay.com

With its central location, this updated 2BR residence is steps from theaters, museums, the activity of Main Street, and stunning Gulf shores beckoning just a short drive away. www.MentoneCourt107.com

CA L L TO DAY FO R YO U R EXC LU S I VE TO U R ( 9 41 ) 3 8 7-1 8 4 0 443 John Ringling Boulevard, Suite F, Sarasota, FL 34236 | Pettingell.com | www.bestSarasotarealestate.net Twitter.com/RealRoger | Instagram.com/RogerPettingell | Roger@Pettingell.com The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Affiliated real estate agents are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2023 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logo are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Anywhere Advisors LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. 417302-1

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Classifieds 20B Games 19B Real Estate 17B Weather 19B

MARCH 28, 2024

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Longboat’s ‘best-kept secret’

Longbeach celebrates 50th anniversary with a weekend of reminiscing on its history and tight-knight community.

PETRA RIVERA STAFF WRITER

E

Cathie Schulhoff, Carol Dreyer and Debbie Kukla

Photos by Petra Rivera

miniums were first for sale in 1974, which was the same year Becky Jones’ family bought their condo there. In the 1970s, she got to explore the area with her family when they were visiting a family friend. After that trip, she was surprised to find out that her father spontaneously bought a condo at Longbeach. She said that it fit everything they wanted in a Florida condominium: the gulf, lots of outdoor space, and the perfect beach to take walks on. In 2000, Jones bought her father’s condo after he died.

“I really tie this place to him, and I think a lot of people do the same thing with their families because most of the condos are passed down,” said

“How lucky are we to be on these 17 acres in the best beach and the best island in Florida.”

— Peter Butler, president of the Longbeach Homeowners Association.

Jones. “It just constantly reminds me of those summers with my family.

We would always leave the windows open and we could feel the summer breeze and hear the doves talking to each other. Not a lot of other places on Longboat have as much land as we do and access to nature like this.”

Like Jones, most original owners and other residents had their condos passed down to them from family or friends. Original owner Bob Appel, who was president at Longbeach four times, said this helps create the family environment among neighbors at Longbeach.

Everyone was in agreement about their love for Beer Can Island and Longbeach’s access to the outdoors.

Resident Steve Lakamp said that he can confirm all the stories to be true that people would go to Beer Can Island and leave all their beer cans along the sand. Original owner Rob Hongen said Beer Can Island is the best place to kayak, bird watch and explore a lesser known part of Longboat.

Many residents said Longbeach’s history includes concern over the receding shoreline due to hurricanes.

With the help of beach renourishment, residents are content with the beach now but are always trying to be mindful to keep the gulf as healthy as possible.

Longbeach hosts happy hours and holiday parties throughout the year.

Many residents said that if they are looking for social hours they can always find people by the pool or the beach even when there is no event planned.

Original owner Joan Reploeg said that her favorite part about Longbeach is how casual and close-knit it is. Since there are only 88 units, it makes it easier to get to know more neighbors and feel a part of the community.

Committee member Crystal Howard said that the units at Longbeach fill up fast. This is what happened to Mike White, Pat White and Susan Rivers, who just started renting two months ago.

“We have fallen completely in love with Longbeach and Longboat Key,” said Rivers. “We are already planning to come back next year, but the condo we are staying in now is already rented which makes us sad because we love the northern part of the island and the community we have built here at Longbeach. I think everyone’s adventurous spirits and their desire to build tight-knit friendships really makes this place stand out.”

Dave and Barb Baughman, with, Charlotte, Kim, Jake and Nora Christenson

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ven in the age of digital maps, Longbeach Condominiums residents say many still have trouble finding the spot tucked away on Broadway Street on the northern end of Longboat Key. With a prime location near the Gulf of Mexico and Beer Can Island and its intimate family style community, it’s often called “Longboat’s best-kept secret,” by residents.

That “secret” turned 50 years old this year. Longbeach celebrated the milestone the weekend of March 22-23.

“How lucky are we to be on these 17 acres in the best beach and the best island in Florida,” said Peter Butler, president of the Longbeach Homeowners Association. “When you think about it, it is really the memories that have been made on these physical assets that makes all this important. Families have gone one after another to pass along Longbeach and keep everybody connected.”

Residents came together Friday night for a toast and cake to start the celebration weekend. Saturday, they hosted a dinner with a total of 89 guests. Jessie Butler chaired the 50th anniversary weekend with the help of her committee.

At the celebration, a special table was reserved for the six residents and their families who are original owners at Longbeach. They sat around the table and reminisced over their favorite times at their beach getaway.

The 88 units of Longbeach Condo-

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

Cindy Fischer 2023 Top Performing Agent Exclusive Island Properties

Courtesy image

A great blue heron is released after recovering from injuries at Save Our Seabirds.

Sunset Soirée supports mission

SCAN FOR MORE

Save Our Seabirds hosts annual fundraiser at Michael’s On East.

200FT OF BAY FRONTAGE, CASEY KEY | $3,795,000

PETRA RIVERA STAFF WRITER

S

ave Our Seabirds will host its annual Sunset Soiree fundraiser at 6 p.m. on April 11 at Michael’s On East.

Executive Director Brian Walton said this is SOS’s largest fundraiser and his first year attending the event.

People will be able to enjoy cocktails, dinner, dancing and silent and live auctions, with all the proceeds going to SOS. The main sponsors are Rick Konsavage and the Longboat Key Club.

SOS’s resident veterinarian, Dr. Maria Passarelli, will be speaking about her experience working with the birds in the area and about the mission of the nonprofit.

“This event brings the bulk of our core supporters together,” said Walton. “People enjoy the event because it’s your typical fundraiser dinner with dancing, music and an auction, but I think everybody’s favorite part is talking to Dr. Passarelli. Every year she does a talk. She’s so passionate about what we do and a great speaker. She is preparing a new talk for the soiree, but I think it gives a real inside look into what we do and what we are trying to achieve.”

This is the second year SOS will be hosting at Michael’s On East, which allows room for about 320 people.

Walton said he is looking forward

SCAN FOR MORE

WATERFRONT HIDEAWAY WITH BOAT DOCK, LONGBOAT KEY | $2,250,000

SCAN FOR MORE

COASTAL COTTAGE WITH BACKYARD OASIS & POOL, LONGBOAT KEY | $1,750,000

SCAN FOR MORE

Petra Rivera

IF YOU GO SAVE OUR SEABIRDS’ SUNSET SOIREE 6 p.m. on April 11 at Michael’s On East, 1212 S. East Ave. Individual tickets are $250 per person. Sponsorships are still available. Visit ­SaveOurSeabirds.org to register.

Brian Walton is the new executive director of Save Our Seabirds.

to finally meeting all the donors, since he hasn’t had a chance to meet everyone face to face yet.

“Our mere presence has an impact on the wildlife around us,” said Walton. “What we do at Save Our Seabirds, it just seeks to mitigate that impact. So anybody who comes to the fundraiser, you’re supporting and undergirding our core mission, which helps to mitigate the negative impact that our presence has on wildlife.”

BEACH LOVER’S PARADISE, LONGBOAT KEY | $750,000

SOLD

File image

Mike and Beverly St. Hilaire at last year’s Sunset Soirée.

> edwardjones.com | Member SIPC

MAGNIFICENT BAYFRONT SANCTUARY, SIESTA KEY | $9,330,000

Seeing eye-to-eye comes from meeting face-to-face

SOLD

On your corner, in your corner.

Come say hello.

COASTAL SOPHISTICATION, LONGBOAT KEY | $2,575,000

Michelle K Johnson, CFP®, CEPA®, AAMS™ Financial Advisor

941.465.1124

440 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228

417801-1

CindyFischer.com CindyFischer@michaelsaunders.com 419099-1

2B

595 Bay Isles Rd, Ste 260 Longboat Key, FL 34228 941-263-7821

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

3B

BENCHMARK RESULTS • STR ATEGIC MARKETING • PERSONALIZED SERVICE

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LONGBOAT KEY | OFFERED AT $1,999,999 MLS# A4576305

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I A N A DDY, PA

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4B

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

Social networking PETRA RIVERA STAFF WRITER

T

here is a new face on the block for the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce.

Felicia McDermott started on March 15 as the new marketing and member relations manager for the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce.

Originally from Pennsylvania, McDermott has lived in Florida for the past 23 years. She graduated in 2013 with a degree in event management from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida. She got her MBA from the University of South Florida in 2020.

McDermott has worked in hospitality for 10 years for multiple nonprofits and five hotels, including Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando, The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, Westin Sarasota and Embassy Suites

by Hilton Sarasota.

With a love for social media and

marketing, McDermott decided to combine her passion for food with photography and create her own personal food Instagram account, @FoodwithFeliciaMcD. She said that this account taught her a lot about social media and plans to use these skills to promote the chamber.

“Felicia’s schooling, professional background, skills and vision for moving the Longboat Chamber forward perfectly align with the work we are doing,” said Kim Verreault, chamber president. “We are so excited to have her on board and can already see that she is committed to building relations and helping our chamber and the communities we service shine.”

The Observer sat down with McDermott to find out what she plans to bring to Longboat Key. What are your responsibilities as marketing director?

I felt this job really combined all my interests with event planning and getting to promote the area. There’s

Connie Darrah, Felicia McDermott and Kim Verreault

like over 200 members right now.

That’s a big part of my role is helping recruit and doing member marketing and member relations. I’m going to be helping with planning the events, recruiting new members, assisting with social media, creating marketing material and just helping promote our members and their businesses.

How was your first week?

The first day was pretty jampacked. We went through a runthrough of my responsibilities.

Then I really jumped right in and helped prepare for the Savor the Sounds. I made signs for the table through Canva with the different businesses on it.

I have already learned so much these first couple days. Connie (Darrah) is so helpful and knowledgeable of the area. Hearing her talk to visitors that come in has taught me so much. Kim (Verreault), she’s just so sweet. I know I’m going to learn so much from her experience, and she is just so helpful.

How do you plan to bring your previous experience to the job?

I’ve learned a lot because I have my food Instagram account. I’m so passionate about photography. I don’t have a special professional camera, but something I’ve always loved was taking pictures of my food. So I was like, “why don’t I start a little blog on Instagram?”

At my previous job, I told them I had my own food account, and the restaurant didn’t really have a social media account. So, I took over their restaurant account for them and really built it up. From there, I was able to do their hotel page. Also, in college, I was always the designated social media person for marketing classes, which I loved.

So that is the biggest thing I want to focus on here at the chamber: exploring what we can do with social media and how we can use it to get these businesses out there.

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Felicia McDermott graduated in 2013 with a degree in event management from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida.

What are your next steps as you begin your job?

I want to explore the whole area.

Everyone’s been so welcoming, supportive and encouraging. Kim and I plan to go to St. Armands Circle to take pictures and meet the business managers there that are members. Our goal is to recruit more businesses. In St. Armands, there’s over 100 businesses. So, we really want to make that connection and develop those relationships with those businesses.

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What are you looking forward to in this job?

This job combines all the things I was really passionate about: Events, marketing, and then I also just enjoy meeting new people. So it is the perfect opportunity to learn more and grow.

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New marketing manager to step up LBK Chamber’s social media presence.

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

EXCEPTIONAL EXCEPTIONAL EXCEPTIONAL VACATION RENTALS RENTALS VACATION VACATION RENTALS

Specializing in Specializing Specializing Longboat Keyininand Lido Key Longboat Key Lido Longboat Keyand andHomes, LidoKey Key Private Vacation Condominiums Private Vacation Homes, Condominiums and Beachfront Resorts Private Vacation Homes, Condominiums and Beachfront Resorts and Beachfront Resorts

Easter and Passover worship

941-387-9709 941-387-9709 3720 Gulf of Mexico Drive 941-387-9709

PETRA RIVERA

info@FLVacationConnection.com FLVacationConnection.com info@FLVacationConnection.com FLVacationConnection.com FLVacationConnection.com

ere is everything you need to know for upcoming Easter and Passover services at the six Longboat Key houses of worship:

STAFF WRITER

Locally owned and Locally owned managed sinceand 1994 Locally owned managed sinceand 1994 managed since 1994

416790-1

3720 Gulf Key, of Mexico Drive Longboat FL 34228 3720 GulfKey, of Mexico Drive Longboat FL 34228 info@FLVacationConnection.com Longboat Key, FL 34228

H

LONGBOAT ISLAND CHAPEL 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive Pastor Brock Patterson March 29: 6 p.m. Good Friday service March 31: 7 a.m. Sunrise service in the garden; 10 a.m. Easter Day worship traditional service with orchestra

IS PERSONALIZED CARE RIGHT FOR YOU?

ST. ARMANDS KEY LUTHERAN CHURCH 40 N. Adams Drive Pastor Kenneth Blyth March 28: Noon and 7 p.m. Maundy Thursday services March 29: Noon and 7 p.m. Good Friday services March 30: 7 p.m. Easter Vigil March 31: 7 and 10 a.m. Easter services in the garden; 9 and 11 a.m.

Easter services in the sanctuary with choir, festive brass and timpani CHRIST CHURCH OF LONGBOAT KEY 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive Pastor Julia Piermont March 28: 7:30 p.m. “As We’ve Been Done To” Maundy Thursday service at Communion service remembering the Last Supper. The choir will sing “Hope of the World.”

March 29: 7:30 p.m. Good Friday Tenebrae service with “Shadows of the Passion,” a dramatic retelling of the drama leading to Jesus’ crucifixion using narratives from scripture with musical commentary.

March 31: 10 a.m. Festival Easter service with choir, organ and trumpet

Connecting with your doctor when you need them most is crucial.

With concierge medicine at Gulfshore Personalized Care, it’s possible to meet your medical needs anywhere at any time. Thomas Arne Jr., DO, FACC, proudly offers patient-centered care through concierge services, such as 24/7 access and same-day visits.

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1250 S Tamiami Trail, Suite 401, Sarasota, FL 34239

ALL ANGELS BY THE SEA EPISCOPAL CHURCH 563 Bay Isles Road Pastor David Marshall March 28: 4 p.m. Maundy Thursday service

Petra Rivera

March 29: Noon Good Friday service March 31: 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Easter Sunday services ST. MARY, STAR OF THE SEA, CATHOLIC CHURCH 4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive Pastor Robert Dziedziak March 28: 4 p.m. Holy Thursday: The Mass of the Lord’s Supper (washing of the feet) March 29: Noon, Stations of the Cross; 3 p.m. Good Friday Venerations of the Cross liturgy March 30: 10 a.m. Blessing of Easter Baskets; 6 p.m. Holy Saturday Easter Vigil Mass March 31: 7 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Easter Sunday Mass

TEMPLE BETH ISRAEL 567 Bay Isles Road Rabbi Stephen Sniderman April 22: 5:30 p.m. Passover Seder (Registration closes at noon April 12.

There will be a waiting list available.

Call the office at 383-3428.)

April 23: 10 a.m. Morning Pesach Service (temple office closed for the holiday) April 26: 5:30 p.m. Regular Erev Shabbat Service April 29: 10 a.m. Seventh Day morning service and Yizkor (temple office closed for the holiday)

The Rev. Brock ­Patterson, the Rev. J­effrey Nunes, the Rev. Julia Piermont, Issac Azerad, the Rev. ­David Marshall and Rabbi Stephen Sniderman

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

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8B

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

Photos by Petra Rivera

Qigong instructor Sandi Love at The Paradise Center

Susan Veshosky

Mind-body practice Instructor Sandi Love explains the basis of qigong and how it can enhance your connection to nature.

PETRA RIVERA STAFF WRITER

A

s the seasons change, so do the classes at The Paradise Center.

Qigong instructor Sandi Love’s class enters a new season as the weather warms up and the flowers bloom.

“Qigong is a mind-body practice and a moving meditation that quiets the mind and gives the body vitality,” said Love. “It is really based on what is going on in nature and how our bodies feel the same way. Qigong has brought so many people joy, and I hear amazing feedback from my students like that they have better sleep and have less pain.”

Each season, the focus of the qigong class changes based on which element the class is working on from the Five Element theory in traditional Chinese medicine.

The five elements are fire, earth, metal, wood and water. Each element works on different organs and different emotions.

The seasons last about two-anda-half months. The spring season started on Feb. 22 and the next season will be fire-themed for early summer.

The qigong class at The Paradise Center recently exited the “quiet yin energy” of winter that is represented by the water element. This focuses on introspections, listening to nature and exercises that benefit the kidney and bladder.

The class then entered into the “rising yang energy” of the spring, which represents the wood element.

This benefits the tendons and liver.

“The energy of nature is rising up out of the roots and the trunk of the tree into the branches of the tree. It is the same for us,” said Love. “The wood element has the positive quali-

ties of self-motivation, expansion, flexibility, curiosity, growth and kindness ... Many of my students tell me they don’t even feel like they are exercising. Yet, they can feel their body has been worked.”

Originally from California, Love didn’t start practicing qigong until she moved to Longboat Key. She said one day when she was walking

out of the Lord’s Warehouse at the Longboat Island Chapel she ran into a woman who told her that her Californian roots made her perfect for the qigong exercise.

At first, Love wasn’t impressed by the Chinese practice, but she said after two weeks, she felt a change in her body with fewer aches and pains.

She also started to feel the qigong energy.

After five years of practice, Love told Suzy Brenner, executive director of The Paradise Center, how she wished that there was a qigong class on the island, so she could have a

IF YOU GO

10 a.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m.

Fridays at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Sandi Love’s qigong classes are usually held outside unless there is inclement weather. No special clothing is required. It is a free class for Paradise Center members; $15 for others. Call 383-6493.

community to learn from.

Love’s teacher told her that she was ready to lead a class because of her initiative and determination for qigong over the years. She started teaching at The Paradise Center in 2018.

“Each class is different, so people don’t know what to expect when they come,” said Love. “You do a lot of different movements, things that you don’t normally do. They make your brain work and push people to try new things. Sometimes, we will do a healing circle where we pass healing energy to everybody. I love seeing the joy in my students’ faces when they start to see how qigong helps their body.”

Janet Milliken, Linda Nichols and Jane Rodbell

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Happy Easter

from all of us at

ANGELA WETZIG, CFP®

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

9B

March 28, 2024

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2251 Gulf of Mexico Drive #204 | Aria - Longboat Key | $9,200,000 3 bed + office or 4 bed | 3.5 bath | 4,032 Sq Ft

Location, Location, Location – Exquisite gated estate on the northern tip of Siesta Key. This home offers Gulf of Mexico views, a 40x20 pool, a spa, an outdoor kitchen, a 24K boat lift & a 12x20 platform to lift a 5,000 lb. kayaks or a jet skis. The main level has the Primary & Guest suites, a library, a chef's kitchen, an elevator, and a 4-car garage. This home is a few steps to deeded Beach Access and is the most beautiful home on the north end of Siesta Key. www.3500BayouLouise.com

1930 Harbourside Dr #122 | Fairway Bay | $879,000 2 bed | 2 bath | 1,312 Sq Ft $849,000 Sarasota Bay and skyline is your backyard from this two bedroom, two bath residence that is almost new and ready for instant enjoyment. Features: fitness center, pool, tennis and on-site manager.

DEEDED BEACH ACCESS 1930HarboursideDr122.com

Sunset Beach

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This home is almost new, and it’s a WOW! Live in this Gulf-front corner residence that feels like a home on the beach at the South end of Longboat Key. Enjoy your private 3400 ft.² terrace, w/your private pool, summer kitchen. This home has private stairs to the beach, a breathtaking clubhouse w/guest suites, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a 5-car garage. www.Aria204.com

3500 Bayou Louise Lane | Siesta Key | $11,500,000 $10,750,000 5 bed | 5.5 bath | 6,300 Sq Ft

2109 Gulf of Mexico Dr #1404 | Longboat Key | $1,400,000 2 bed, 2 bath | 1,358 Sq Ft | Furnished!

$1,375,000

Exquisitely updated two-bedroom corner residence at Sunset Beach showcases turquoise water views and spectacular sunsets. Wood flooring, crown molding, and tasteful appointments accented the bright, open floor plan. The main terrace overlooks the Gulf of Mexico through brand new hurricane impact sliders that were replaced along with the windows in 2021. Home chefs will enjoy creating culinary delights in the open kitchen with stainless steel Samsung appliances replaced in 2020. www.SunsetBeach1404.com

1180 Bogey Lane | Longboat Key | $1,098,000 2 bed + flex room | 2 bath | 2,180 Sq Ft Updated, 2 bedrooms + flex room, 2 bathrooms, 2,180 sq ft. Country Club Shores is known for its prime location near waterways and golf amenities, tennis, boating, and exclusive beach sunsets with a low HOA fee of only $200 per year. Minutes to the new St. Regis on the Gulf of Mexico. South Longboat.

DEEDED BEACH ACCESS www.1180Bogey.com

The VUE

521 Wedge Lane | Longboat Key | $1,975,000 3 bed | 2 bath | 1,677 Sq Ft

1155 N Gulfstream Ave #1407 | The VUE | $2,450,000

Sailboat Water Front home on the southern end of Longboat Key in Country Club Shores with DEEDED BEACH ACCESS. The home showcases a NEW WINDOWS & DOORS, NEW ROOF, a NEW SEAWALL with a CoolDeck® dock, and a 10,000-pound boat lift. This residence also has a newer kitchen, newer baths, a split floor plan, a family room, and solar panels for the swimming pool—instant enjoyment. www.521WedgeLane.com

At The Vue - It is all about the Epic forever VIEWS! This fantastic, almost new residence is on the 14th floor with 10-foot ceilings. The home, accessible via a semi-private elevator, has extensive floor-toceiling glass walls offering a 180-degree hypnotizing forever view of Sarasota and her islands, including sunrise – moonrise, and sunsets—It is an excellent split floor plan. The Vue offers a concierge, on-site management, a social room, a swimming pool, and valet parking. It offers a southern exposure in the city's heart, and your pet is welcome. www.Vue1407.com

421353-1

2 bed | 2.5 bath | 1,665 Sq Ft | Furnished!

10B

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE Headed on a trip? Snap a photo of you on vacation holding your Observer, then submit your photo online at YourObserver.com/ ItsReadEverywhere. Stay tuned for this year’s prize, and happy travels!

Realtor JoDene

Proudly representing these fabulous Longboat Key properties

Your Neighborhood REALTOR®,

JoDene Moneuse

35 year Longboat Key Resident/Realtor Celebrating 5 years on the Michael Saunders “Best of the Best” list E PRIC NEW

ING PEND

4 bdrms/4.5 baths on 170ft. of canal 610 Longview Dr | $5,350,000

E PRIC NEW

2 bdrms/2 bath renovated with a full Bay view 600 Sutton Place | $569,000

ING PEND

ROMAN HOLIDAY: Barry and Arline Napiecek with the Longboat Key Observer in ancient Roman theater ruins in Cartagena, Spain.

DIRECT BAY FRONT AVAILABLE $3,325,000 Historic 4 bedroom home in Conrad Beach 7040 Firehouse Rd | $1,695,000

3 bdrms/2 baths renovated, on a great canal 548 Lyons Lane | $1,275,000

E PRIC NEW

3606 Fair Oaks PL | A4555331 4 Bedrooms, Bay Front in Queens Harbour, Longboat Key

Build your dream home on canal front land in Longbeach Village!

521 Broadway St | $950,000

DIRECT GULF FRONT $1,750,000

Vacant lot in the Longboat Key Village 521A Broadway St | $750,000

E PRIC NEW

2105 Gulf of Mexico Dr #3403 | A4599416 2/2, New Kitchen w/updates, Gulf Front, Longboat Key Updated and high and dry! 3 bdrms/2 baths on a nice canal.

550 De Narvaez Dr | $1,450,000

PENDING $1,299,900

Seaplace #G3-305.

Beautifully remodeled 2/2.

2045 Gulf of Mexico Dr | $665,000

E PRIC NEW

2101 Gulf of Mexico Dr. #2504 | A4565766 2/2, Penthouse, Totally Renovated, Gulf Front, Longboat Key 11,250 sf lot with 3 bdrm/2 bth renovated house. New seawall, docks and 10,000 lb lift 690 Jungle Queen | $1,350,000

Dennis Girard

941.302.4913

Broker Associate

416899-1

JoDeneMoneuse@michaelsaunders.com | LongboatKeyLiving.com

941-809-0041 | dennis.girard@premiersir.com 517 Bay Isles Pkwy Longboat Key, FL 34228 dennisgirard.premiersothebysrealty.com

416946-1

Canal front 2 bdrm Palm cottage plus a vacant lot - 13,747 sf total 7012 Palm & 521A Broadway combined | $1,650,00

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

11B

Exceptional, Elevated Living INSIDE AND OUT.

R E SI DE NCE SL I DOK EY.COM

Now Under Construction • From the $6 Millions • 941-888-3131

417812-1

ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. This project has been filed in the state of Florida and no other state. This is not an offer to sell or solicitation of offers to buy the condominium units in states where such offer or solicitation cannot be made. Equal Housing Opportunity. Rosewood Residences Lido Key is owned and being developed, offered and sold by WSR—Lido Beach, LLC (“Developer”). The project is not owned, developed or sold by Rosewood Hotels and Resorts, L.L.C. or any of its affiliates (“Rosewood”). Developer uses the Rosewood marks pursuant to a license agreement with Rosewood, which may be terminated under certain conditions. Rosewood does not assume any responsibility or liability in connection with the condominium. © Copyright 2024. All rights reserved. The Ronto Group®. Rosewood Hotels and Resorts®.

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

More than meets the eye

Your Destination Boutique

‘Watermelon Regatta,’ an 18th-century painting by the artist known only as the ‘Master of the Fertility of the Egg,’ is on display at the Ringling Museum.

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4 Bedrooms | 4.5 Baths 3,738 Sq Ft | 4 Car Garage

Now Complete and Ready for Occupancy BUILT BY EASON BUILDERS GROUP, KNOWN FOR QUALITY WORKMANSHIP AND ATTENTION TO DETAILS.

This new home features timely finishes including hard wood flooring, custom cabinetry, high quality solid surfaces, custom millwork throughout, and vaulted ceilings. There is a primary and secondary master suite and two en-suites. The home will have a private elevator, several covered lanais and an amazing tropical pool with spa surrounded by mature landscape. For the boaters, there is canal access, including a boat dock and 10,000 lb. lift with easy access to the ICW and the Gulf of Mexico. Conveniently located in the Historic Village of Longboat Key, you have easy access to the beach, which is a short 5 minute walk. You are also a short walk to three of the best local restaurants.

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hat’s wrong with this picture?

The world in “Watermelon Regatta,” an 18th-century painting created in Italy, is strange enough as birds, crustaceans and other animals race down a Venetian canal in gondolas cut from the crust of watermelons, cheered on by dwarfish, caricatured humans.

Yet, over the last few years, even more was off-kilter about this painting than its world of reversed roles, as conservators at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art worked to restore what began as an image defined by grime, discolored varnish and overpainting.

It wasn’t a level of effort they would have given to just any ordinary painting, but the strangeness of the artist’s satire took hold of them, just as it now has a chance to do for museum visitors.

For the first time, the painting has found a place on the museum walls, in a devoted room that also features a slideshow on the restoration process.

It will remain on display there temporarily and eventually will join the larger collection, although no plans are currently set.

The identity of the artist behind the 70-by-96-inch oil painting on canvas may not be known, but the 18thcentury painter still made a name in the art world as “Master of the Fertility of the Egg.” Active in northern Italy around 1700, the painter was responsible for painting “Fertility of the Egg,” which is at the Milwaukee Art Museum,

Ian Swaby

Chief Curator Sarah Cartwright

and created multiple works with the same figures and creatures.

“The subject matter is just really unusual and quite delightful,” said the Ringling’s Chief Conservator Barbara Ramsay. “Today, we see all kinds of strange things, but probably in the early 1700s, there was not much else like this around. So it’s amazing it survived, and it’s been through a lot.”

No consensus exists among scholars as to the artist’s identity, although according to Chief Curator Sarah Cartwright, possibilities have been suggested, including that the artist was Flemish. She noted this type of satire is associated in some ways with northern countries.

What is more easily apparent is the message the painting conveys.

“The artist has taken a satirical view of human life and human folly, poking fun at how arrogant humans can be, and how they’re so superior to the animals, and he’s turned everything upside down, so here it’s actually these other creatures that are involved and engaged in a race,” Ramsay said.

Although guests of all ages find something to enjoy in the painting today, for many years after it was donated to the museum in 1951 by its first director, Everett “Chick” Austin, it was largely illegible.

SEE WATERMELON, PAGE 14B

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12B

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

13B

A Caribbean Coastal 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath home currently Under Construction with 3,793 sq ft on an oversized lot.

‘Watermelon Regatta’ before the restoration

Located on a peninsula at the end of Longview Dr. in the Buttonwood Harbour Community, Longboat Key. This unique property features an Infinity Pool and Spa with a sun shelf and 170 ft of seawall on Cranes Bayou.

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4380 Exeter Drive, #306| Longboat Harbour MLS#A4589316 | 2/2 - 1,168 sf | Great amenities | $574,900 | Sherry Flathman (941) 592.3433

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14B

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

MARCH MADNESS IS HOT, HOT, HOT!!!

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Watermelon FROM PAGE 12B

While it received a partial treatment decades ago before entering storage, much more extensive work was required before it could find a place in the museum.

REAL ESTATE... REAL PARADISE

IN THE MASTER’S FOOTSTEPS

At the Ringling, the staff of conservators is small, but Ramsay still had to find a path for moving the work on the unique painting forward.

These conservation efforts, which began in 2017, had been the focus of the Ringling’s 2016 Giving Challenge, and were more recently supported by the David A. Straz Jr. Foundation.

Over the past year, Ramsay began hiring private conservators to help finish the project.

A crucial part of the answer was found in the museum’s interns; the museum trains conservation interns, fellows and junior conservators, and “Watermelon Regatta,” with its extensive damage, made an ideal teaching tool.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that such a restoration is a task for all skill levels, though.

The background of a conservator must include plant science and organic chemistry, along with art history and studio art. Furthermore, the process at Ringling follows a strict ethical guideline of respecting the artist’s original intent, adding no more new material than necessary.

A restoration begins with a thorough examination to distinguish between original and nonoriginal paint, a process that includes photographing the painting and viewing it with ultraviolet, fluorescent and infrared light and X-rays.

As the work began, conservators had to set down paint that was lifting from the canvas and remove surface grime and discolored varnish, before removing overpaint by testing different combinations of chemicals.

It was those areas where paint was missing entirely where artistic skills became especially relevant.

When it comes to blank areas, ­conservators must paint over the

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IF YOU GO

“Watermelon Regatta” is on view in Gallery 12 of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art from March 16 through May 19. The gallery is included in regular museum admission.

Chief Conservator Barbara Ramsay will offer a public talk on April 23 to discuss the restoration at 11 a.m. April 23, at 5401 Bay Shore Road.

area using the exact structure of what is found around it, while also mixing paints until they find a perfect color match.

“You have to be an artist. But normally, you don’t,” Ramsay said. “In most situations, you don’t want to add anything; you don’t want to let your artistic self take over and do more than you should.”

This inpainting work involves the use of extremely small brushes, and either dry pigments or synthetic resins developed for the conservation field. To help keep the canvas texture consistent, some areas of the painting were filled using silicone molds of the paint surface.

In still other areas, overpainting had to be done, for instance, in the case of the water in the picture.

Although intended by the artist to be a brown color, it had been painted over in bright blue that could not be safely removed, so conservators painted over that space once again.

With “Watermelon Regatta,” the conservators found plenty of reference points to ensure the authenticity of the restoration.

The painting’s repeating animal figures were helpful; Ramsay was able to reference one monkey in the painting to fill in the head of the same animal in another area. Other paintings by the same artist also provided reference points for human figures.

The new exhibition, which features a slideshow on the restoration process, reveals the importance of conservation to the museum, Cartwright said.

“It’s amazing,” she said of the talent on display. “It’s remarkable to have such expertise. We have large collections here, so ideally, we’d have an even larger conservation staff, but what they do is remarkable.”

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

15B

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

LONGBOAT KEY 610 Longview Drive 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 3,793 Sq. Ft. JoDene Moneuse, Susan Smith, & Cathy Meldhal 941-302-4913 A4586153 $5,350,000

LONGBOAT KEY 6485 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,000 Sq. Ft. Julie Klick 941-780-6001 A4600758 $3,500,000

LONGBOAT KEY 1241 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 105 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,585 Sq. Ft. Michael Moulton 941-928-3559 A4589400 $2,750,000

LONGBOAT KEY 6940 Longboat Drive S 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,550 Sq. Ft. Bill Anderson 941-313-4059 A4602353 $2,750,000

LONGBOAT KEY 7160 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,056 Sq. Ft. Cindy Fischer 941-465-1124 A4598119 $2,250,000

LONGBOAT KEY 699 Penfield Street 2 Beds 3 Baths 2,536 Sq. Ft. Cathy Meldahl, Pa 941-724-7228 A4593104 $2,200,000

SARASOTA 111 S Pineapple Avenue 1009 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,591 Sq. Ft. Richard Perlman 941-228-8580 A4602708 $1,795,000

LONGBOAT KEY 1145 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 502 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,392 Sq. Ft. Debra Pitell-Hauge 941-356-0437 A4584859 $1,570,000

LIDO KEY 1212 Benjamin Franklin Drive 309 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,812 Sq. Ft. Pat Rodriguez 941-685-5805 A4595720 $1,400,000

LONGBOAT KEY 2120 Harbourside Drive 657 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,039 Sq. Ft. Kim Ogilvie 941-376-1717 A4597896 $1,345,000

LONGBOAT KEY 1075 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 101 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,172 Sq. Ft. Kathy Callahan 941-900-8088 A4592865 $1,295,000

LONGBOAT KEY 3235 Gulf Of Mexico Drive A405 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,260 Sq. Ft. Ian Addy & Gail Wittig 941-961-8850 A4602938 $1,249,000

LONGBOAT KEY 578 580 Companion Way 3 Beds 3 Baths 1,792 Sq. Ft. Bill Anderson 941-313-4059 A4598090 $1,195,000

LONGBOAT KEY 1050 Longboat Club Road 904 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,409 Sq. Ft. Melissa Gissinger 941-404-2722 A4586935 $1,150,000

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LONGBOAT KEY 3070 Grand Bay Boulevard 616 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,380 Sq. Ft. Julia Mcclung 941-356-6499 A4591919 $899,999

LONGBOAT KEY 3080 Grand Bay Boulevard 515 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,276 Sq. Ft. Ian Addy & Gail Wittig 941-961-8850 A4584268 $859,000

LONGBOAT KEY 4234 Gulf Of Mexico Drive E2 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,248 Sq. Ft. Lenore Treiman 941-356-9642 A4585739 $759,000

LONGBOAT KEY 529 Forest Way 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,440 Sq. Ft. Cathy Meldahl, Pa 941-724-7228 A4603909 $725,000

LONGBOAT KEY 2039 Gulf Of Mexico Drive G3-305 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,257 Sq. Ft. Nancy Moore 941-313-5159 A4590280 $665,000

LONGBOAT KEY 542 Sutton Place 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,450 Sq. Ft. Cindy Fischer 941-465-1124 A4603180 $595,000

LONGBOAT KEY 730 Spanish Drive S 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,405 Sq. Ft. Sean Clark 941-312-1146 A4585691 $584,999

LONGBOAT KEY 619 Cedars Court 1 Bed 2 Baths 1,244 Sq. Ft. Simone Schaerf 941-260-1550 A4584103 $550,000

LONGBOAT KEY 4770 Gulf Of Mexico Drive V-6 2 Beds 1 Baths 812 Sq. Ft. Ann Martin & Joanna Benante 941-356-7717 A4592314 $540,000

LONGBOAT KEY 4870 Gulf Of Mexico Drive V-12 2 Beds 2 Baths 973 Sq. Ft. Tryla Brown Larson 941-962-1122 A4589845 $399,000

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CASEY KEY 2410 Casey Key Road 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,186 Sq. Ft. Cindy Fischer 941-465-1124 A4586886 $3,795,000

LONGBOAT KEY 7100 Longboat Drive E 4 Beds 3 Baths 3,625 Sq. Ft. Kathy Callahan 941-900-8088 A4601866 $3,759,000

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

REAL ESTATE

Sage LBK condo tops sales at $5.65M

17B

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

MARCH 11-15

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

condominium in Sage LBK tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. 4750 Ocean Blvd. LLC sold the Unit 102 condominium at 4651 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Terrance and Kimberly Schneider, of Longboat Key, for $5.65 million. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 4,024 square feet of living area. It sold for $4,578,900 in 2023.

Courtesy images by Lisa Morris

4750 Ocean Blvd. LLC sold the Unit 102 condominium at 4651 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Terrance and Kimberly Schneider, of Longboat Key, for $5.65 million.

BAY ISLES

Sandra and Peter Morris, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the home at 3521 Bayou Pointe to Neil Moskowitz, of Longboat Key, for $3.85 million.

Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,687 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.75 million in 2013.

L’AMBIANCE AT LONGBOAT KEY CLUB

Maria Georgiev, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the Unit K-705 condominium at 435 L’Ambiance Drive to Michael Booth, trustee, of Alpha, Ohio, for $2,900,100. Built in 1994, it has two bedrooms, two-and-two-half baths and 2,634 square feet of living area.

It sold for $772,500 in 1994.

JOHN RINGLING ESTATES

Fazzone LLC sold the home at 354 Monroe Drive to Ryan Fugit and Valerie Fugit, trustees, of Los Gatos, California, for $2.2 million. Built in 1950, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 2,112 square feet of living area. It sold for $625,000 in 2009.

GRAND BAY

Diana Verma, of Sarasota, sold her Unit 383 condominium at 3030 Grand Bay Blvd. to William Herman and Sandra Herman, trustees, of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, for $1.6 million. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a half baths and 2,369 square feet of living area.

It sold for $660,000 in 1998.

KEY TOWERS SOUTH

Michael and Susan Nowicki, of Hamburg, New York, sold their Unit 5-C condominium at 1750 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Glebe Street Investments LLC for $1.35 million.

Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,364 square feet of living area. It sold for $545,000 in 2003.

SLEEP LAGOON PARK

Jurgen and Christine Wache sold their home at 747 Marbury Lane to Dean and Laura Trudeau, of Van Buren Township, Michigan, for $1.35 million. Built in 1968, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,353 square feet of living area. It sold for $762,500 in 2019.

INN ON THE BEACH

Amy and Paul Eccher, trustees, of Geneva, Illinois, sold the Unit 3503 condominium at 230 Sands Point Road to David Ryland, of Sarasota, for $1,125,000. Built in 1982, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 634 square feet of living area. It sold for $400,000 in 2019.

FAIRWAY BAY

Samuel and Mary Lynn Carubba, of Pinehurst, North Carolina, sold their Unit 312 condominium at 2016 Harbourside Drive to Anne Simpson, trustee, of Maize, Kansas, for $740,000. Built in 1984, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,192 square feet of living area. It sold for $289,500 in 2012.

THE SHORE

RKD Real Estate LLC sold the Unit 110 condominium at 5757 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Graham and Lynne Cherrington, of Longboat Key, for $660,000. Built in 1974, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,561 square feet of living area. It sold for $675,000 in 2022.

In with the new NOW TAKING CONTRACTS

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

SARASOTA HARBOUR APARTMENTS

Kim David Walker, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 23 condominium at 767 John Ringling Blvd. to Wayne LaFlamboy III, of Sarasota, for $395,000. Built in 1963, it has one bedroom, one bath and 612 square feet of living area. It sold for $200,000 in 2019.

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

DOWNTOWN SARASOTA SOTA Residences & Hotel | 941.462.3900 | From $1.8M | Visit the Main Street Gallery | thesota.com

DOWNTOWN ST. PETERSBURG 400 Central | 727.209.7848 | From the $900,000s | Call for an appointment | Residences400central.com

MOVE-IN SPRING 2024

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

GOLDEN GATE POINT

LONGBOAT KEY

These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of March 15-21 in order of dollar amounts.

Longboat Key Address

Permit

Applicant

Amount

510 Golf Links Lane

New Con — Res

510 Golf LLC

$1,682,400

7125 Gulf Of Mexico Drive

Re-roof

Longbeach Condominium

7175 Gulf Of Mexico Drive

Re-roof

Longbeach Condominium

$743,102

7016 Palm Drive

New Con — Com

Halcyon Shores LLC

$414,400

549 Spanish Drive N.

Alt/Renovation

Deana Summerson

$192,660

7135 La Lenaire Drive

Dock/Seawall/Lift

Halcyon Shores LLC

$181,500

1601 Gulf Of Mexico Drive

Building — Other

S.R. LBK II LLC

$100,000

6695 Gulf Of Mexico Drive

Roof

Timothy Peterson

$97,300

$743,102

En Pointe | 941.685.1598 | enpointesarasota.com | From $2,775,000

The Residences at the St. Regis | 941.213.3300 | SRResidencesLongboatKey.com

New Construction 511 Spinnaker Lane

Dock/Seawall/Lift

Joy Stevens

$87,661

4 Winslow Place

Alt/Renovation

Jason Wilson

$75,000

525 Channel Lane

Alt/Renovation

Crista Partlowe

$70,107

1601 Gulf Of Mexico Drive

Building — Other

S.R. LBK II LLC

$70,000

3100 Gulf Of Mexico Drive

Electrical

Nadia Paselsky

$64,892

Laurie A Adelson

$60,954

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

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

New Construction Alt/Renovation

& Arthur N Tracht Revocable

1601 Gulf Of Mexico Drive

Building — Other

S.R. LBK II LLC

$60,000

622 Ranger Lane

Re-roof

John Peacock

$51,600

MichaelSaunders.com/New-Homes | 844.591.4333 | Sarasota, Florida Prices as of November 2023

Source: Town of Longboat Key

421094-1

840 Bayport Way

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

The Choice is Clear

YOUR CALENDAR

Clearview

SERVICES AND DOORS A Preferred Vendor With More Than 25 Luxury High Rise Properties Custom Sliding Screen Doors

Retractable Screen Doors

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Sliding Glass and Screen Door Repairs

Frame Refinishing

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421018-1

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FRIDAY, MARCH 29

LOVE THIRTEEN JEWELRY TRUNK SHOW 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Monkee’s of Sarasota, 55 S. Boulevard of the Presidents. Join Monkee’s of Sarasota for a day of shopping. Heather Wells of Love Thirteen Jewelry will be visiting with her handmade crystal jewelry. Learn why Love Thirteen is more than jewelry. Call 833-4568313

FRIDAY, APRIL 4

MUSIC BY JOYCELYN CORBERT 6-9 p.m. at Whitney’s, 6990 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Vocalist Joycelyn Corbert brings a show filled with music from artists such as Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Etta James, Chaka Khan, Marvin Gaye, The Righteous Brothers, The Temptations and more. The combination of Motown and Soul creates a body moving experience you won’t want to miss. Call 383-4606.

BEST BET SATURDAY, MARCH 30

SAVOR THE SOUNDS CONCERT SERIES 5:30-7 p.m. at the Town Center Green, 600 Bay Isles Road. SoulRcoaster will be performing in the Savor the Sounds concert series. Gates open at 4:30 p.m.

Mike Sales (pictured) will be performing from 4:30-5:30 p.m. General admission is $25 in advance; $35 at the door.

People can buy VIP tickets for a table of eight for $250 for advance purchase only. Otherwise, people are welcome to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets.

Tickets are available at the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce, 5390 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 102 or call 3832466.

RECURRING EVENTS MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY LONGBOAT LIBRARY From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., MondayFriday. 555 Bay Isles Road. Call 383-2011.

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS

Stay updated with

PUMPING THE PRIME: CARDIO, STRENGTH & STRETCH 10 a.m. at the Bayfront Park Recreation Center. This low-impact class helps burn calories and increase stamina. It also includes strength exercises for a total body workout.

Participants should be able to get down on the floor and get up readily.

(Please bring a towel.) Runs until the end of April/May 2024. Classes are $10 for rec center members; $15 for nonmembers. Contact Mirabai Holland at Mirabai@MovingFree.com.

Daily Headlines A daily dose of up-to-the-minute news from Sarasota, Longboat Key, Siesta Key, and Lakewood Ranch.

LORD’S WAREHOUSE THRIFT STORE The thrift store will be open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 6140 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Donations are accepted during business hours. Call 383-4738.

YourObserver.com/newsletters

MONDAYS

422154-1

Sign up at

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS

ZUMBA & TONING 10 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Taught by Reena Malik, this class begins with 30 minutes of zumba and finishes with mat Pilates for flexibility and strengthening core muscles. Come for 30 or 60 minutes. Free for members; $15 for nonmembers.

GENTLE CHAIR YOGA From 9-10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Remain stabilized in a chair and enjoy all the benefits of traditional yoga with certified yoga teacher Emme Shapiro. Join anytime on a prorated basis. Pay as you go,

handcrafted for a lifetime

THE DANCER WHO DEFINED A GENERATION

members $13; nonembers $15. Eight sessions: members $95; nonmembers $110. Call 383-8222 or email EdCenter@LongboatKeyTemple.org.

TUESDAYS

AT THE MOVIES 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Members $95; nonmembers $105. Join Gus Mollasis, professional movie maven and film columnist, for a cinematic adventure. Movies are assigned at local cinemas to see then discuss together. Join anytime on a prorated basis. Call 383-8222 or email EdCenter@LongboatKeyTemple.org.

YOGA 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road.

Debby Debile of Feel Good Yoga & Massage leads a gentle yoga class.

Cost is $15; free for members. Call 383-6493.

MAHJONG From 1-3 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Fun time for experienced players. To check availability at the tables, email Amy@ TheParadiseCenter.org.

ROTARY CLUB Meets at 5 p.m. on first and third Tuesdays in All Angels Parish Hall, 563 Bay Isles Road. To learn more, call Nancy Rozance at 203-6054066 or email Info@LongboatKeyRotary.org.

THE SARASOTA CUBAN BALLET SCHOOL PRESENTS

CARLOS ACOSTA ON

BEFORE

APRIL 19-20, 2024

THE SARASOTA OPERA HOUSE

NEW POLY OUTDOOR FURNITURE DESIGNS ARE HERE!

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EXPERIENCE THE LEGEND LIVE IN SARASOTA

Including a new balcony chair style, outdoor upholstery, new dining table designs, a rope swing, & more!

Available in multiple colors, sizes, and configurations. Miller’s outdoor poly furniture is backed with a lifetime warranty.

Come discover the beauty & quality of these items for yourself!

CARLOS ACOSTA ON BEFORE

STARRING CARLOS ACOSTA AND LAURA RODRÍGUEZ PRODUCED BY VALID PRODUCTIONS LIMITED & NORWICH THEATRE

3737 Bahia Vista St. Sarasota, FL 34232 - 941.952.5646 6100 N Lockwood Ridge Rd. Sarasota, FL 34243 - 941.960.2942

dutchhausfurniture.com

TICKETS.SARASOTAOPERA.ORG 941-328-1300

419677-1

PRESENTED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH COMO NO 418399-1

18B

YourObserver.com

19B

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

SUNRISE / SUNSET

FRIDAY, MARCH 29

WEATHER

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST

Sunrise Sunset

High: 77 Low: 60 Chance of rain: 3%

Thursday, March 28

7:25a

7:46p

Friday, March 29

7:24a

7:47p

Saturday, March 30

7:22a

7:47p

Sunday, March 31

7:21a

7:48p

SATURDAY, MARCH 30

Monday, April 1

7:20a

7:48p

High: 77 Low: 63 Chance of rain: 3%

Tuesday, April 2

7:19a

7:49p

Wednesday, April 3

7:18a

7:49p

MOON PHASES SUNDAY, MARCH 31 High: 77 Low: 65 Chance of rain: 4%

April 1 Last

April 8 New

April 15 First

April 23 Full

TIDES Highs Lows

Donna Brown took this photo of a row of black skimmers on Whitney Beach.

Thursday, March 28

3:01a

1:45p

8:12a

9:52p

Friday, March 29

3:54a

2:14p

8:22a

10:43p

Saturday, March 30

5:09a

2:48p

8:20a

11:48p

Sunday, March 31

—

3:31p

—

—

Monday, April 1

—

4:29p

1:09a

—

Tuesday, April 2

—

5:53p

2:35a

—

Wednesday, April 3

—

7:42p

3:47a

—

Submit your photos at YourObserver.com/contests. All submissions will be entered for the 2024-25. Weather and Nature photo contest. In February 2025, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card.

We have all of your luxury flooring needs carpet | hardwood | tile | stone | pavers | and more Sarasota 941.355.8437 | Bradenton 941.748.4679 | Venice 941.493.7441 | manasotaonline.com

Flooring Made for Your Family

celebrity cipher promise

120 Bean or Penn

52 Parenting approach that

121 R&B singer ___ Marie

can be divisive

122 Atomizes

53 Put pen to paper

123 “Mais oui!”

54 Julian who founded

124 Down in the dumps

WikiLeaks

125 Having a kick

56 Flower in some Chinese

DOWN

1 English cheese that’s

often 20 Cannes setting 21 Beelike 22 Diva’s “voyage” 23 Ham it up 24 Name meaning “peace” 25 Mark caused by a top?

26 Hundredth of a euro 27 *”Mr. Winkler still hasn’t decided on his next role!”

30 Doily feature 31 Ballpark fig.

32 Helped out 33 First-year 35 Purchase for an ailing

(Abbr.)

singer Jim

59 *Urban Dictionary and

2 Places with a lot of buzz

other sassy references?

3 Track meet contest

60 *Birds that are tone

4 Hot goss

deaf?

5 “Narcos” org.

61 “Srsly?!”

6 Comics redhead

65 Sources of imperfection,

7 Making some go red,

in a way

perhaps

66 Scuttlebutt that makes

8 It might make you go red

pros nervous

9 The Grand Ole ___ (music

73 “___ quiet!”

venue)

76 Unstable subatomic

10 Actor Schreiber

particle

11 Carvey of “Becoming

78 Quadrennial international

Bond”

games

12 Gobbled down, in slang

82 Navy vessel named after

13 Streaker?

a WWII commander

14 “Open” autobiographer

83 Debtor’s notes (Abbr.)

15 “No,” in France

84 Huff

16 “___ be fine”

86 Guns the engine

17 Opera highlights of Country Pop”

89 Clown’s red wear

87 Stomp (down)

18 ___ de Mayo

36 *”Queen Victoria must

66 Self-evident sentence

90 Party sometimes with

88 Bearded beast

19 Hit 70, perhaps

glow sticks

92 Newborn fox

28 “The Matrix” hero

91 QB’s trick play

95 Remote batteries, often

29 Glass of NPR

67 Actress Dennings American slang for “money” retire now” 68 Howl at the moon 41 Desserts for 3/14 celebra8 Grasps onto 13 Kids just before bedtime,

58 Spartan institution?

1 “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown”

lawn

©2023 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

art

97 Scrape (out) 32 Sounds of understanding 102 Like Monk, on “Monk” 34 Farm producer 106 “Well, ___ that special?”

tions

69 Some intl. diplomats

93 Hexagonal hardware

43 Add a video to a website

70 Motley

94 Sign in the heart of some

44 Quietly acknowledges

71 Disco ___ of “The Simp-

downtowns

47 Gyllenhaal or Tapper

sons”

36 Golfer’s prop

96 Wonky

107 Diagram useful for solv-

48 Container for kimchi

72 “Get outta here!”

37 Roadie’s haul

98 “Eww, stop talking!”

ing some puzzles

51 Comfy sleepwear, for

74 Smoke, in slang

38 “Great Society” prez

99 NATO nation

108 March Madness org.

short

75 Pale

39 Director Craven

100 Chunk of butter

110 “That makes sense now”

52 Airline in “American

76 Openers?

40 Weep and wail

101 Mouth-watering smell

111 Astrological sign

Made”

77 “We’re in trouble now ...”

41 Outcast

103 Enjoy going downhill?

55 Cry like a baby

79 Central Park shade

104 Spot-on

57 Shapiro of NPR

producer

45 *Voldemort’s admins?

105 Muckraker Jacob

112 French bud

58 Road trip stop

80 UPS rival

46 Betraying one’s nerves,

107 Three-pointed hat

113 Soar through the

60 Sculptor’s focus, some-

81 Chipotle dip, for short

in a way

109 Bigwig from Abu Dhabi

heavens

times

83 Flowering

47 Door frame parts

111 Ms. Gorbachev

114 Finale

62 ___ Speedwagon

85 Vacation spot that’s off

48 Player of Hikaru Sulu

113 Panda Express staple

116 Kitchen-invading pest

63 “Meh,” in slang

the grid?

49 Centipede company

115 NBA legend Thomas

117 Horse fodder

64 Twain called the “Queen

88 Like hot fudge sauce

50 Fails to uphold, as a

118 Modify, as a law

“RSWESCS EB PJDMTSWY. ... IBJO KNUK KNSMS ET TJHSKNEBV EBTEFS PJD KNUK ET VMSUKSM KNUB UBP JRTKUXWS.”

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BMRPI BARWNZDMG

“MHCRU PU JXA KCUA BMXCA UBEJRUU BJE ERUFBPD. PA’U BMXCA DRUPHPRJIR BJE XGRDIXYPJT BEGRDUPAV.” KXSJ YBVBHH Puzzle Three Clue: M equals B

119 Levi’s alternatives

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

Puzzle Two Clue: H equals X

RAMSHACKLE by Jeff Chen, edited by Jeff Chen

Puzzle One Clue: P equals Y

crossword

417954-1

at MANASOTA FLOORING INC

© 2023 NEA, Inc.

sudoku

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

depicted in the middle of 42 *April Fools’ Day officials? today’s grid

©2023 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

3-28-24

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

Rentals Wanted

redpages@yourobserver.com • yourobserver.com/redpages DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at 2PM Service Directory - Friday at 3PM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card The Longboat 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 Longboat 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.

BAY ISLES RENTAL WANTED Seeking rental of condo or townhouse in Bay Isles.

Ideally a 6 to12 month lease for retired gent, non-smoker.

Call 619-347-1888 or email EL18@live.com

Vacation/ Seasonal Rentals 3BR/2.5BA BAY ISLES Golf Course Villa. Private pool/hot tub, garage. Quiet, bright & well equipped unit. Flexible 2024/5 dates. References. By owner.

(303) 861-8777

48’ BOAT Slip for Sale: Longboat Key Moorings. No club membership. 941-812-3395.

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

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

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE! 941-955-4888

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

Pets ISLAND PET CARE Longboat resident, background checked/profile on Rover. Daily walks or overnights.

Call/txt 804-366-7650

RED PAGES AD RATES First 15 words ................. $ 17.50 per week Each add’l word .......50¢

15% DISCOUNT FOR 4-WEEK RUN Color background: $ 5 per week Ad border: as low as $3 per week

PLACE YOUR AD: Call: 941-955-4888 Email: RedPages@ YourObserver.com Online: YourObserver.com /RedPages

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

$7,500/month (including taxes) Call 214-986-2287

Condos/Apts. for Rent LUXURIOUS CONDO on Anna Maria Island For Rent - Upgraded granite/stainless kitchen.

Incredible water views through floor length windows. Waterfront patio, luxury furnishings, 2BD/2BR, king beds. Pool, tennis, walk to the beach. Private carport.

Monthly rental May - Nov. Owner/renter. Flexible terms.

570-239-0431 marketreps@aol.com

Condos/Apts. for Sale 1BR/1BA WHITNEY BEACH Enjoy daily a beautiful waterfront view onto Bishops Bayou where dolphin, manatee & pelicans feed. Recently renovated, fully furnished, contemporary condo at Whitney Beach. $499,000 (770) 335-9211

Adult Care Services

LONGBOAT KEY Portobello Seasonal Rental.

Available Now! Beautifully renovated condo, 2BR/2BA. 1,260 sq.ft. Pool, tennis court, private beach. 1 month min.

No pets. $7,000 - April and/or May (2024) $5,000 June-Dec (2024)

Lovely 3/2/2 furnished home w/ heated pool, dock, walk to beach.

King sized beds. Washer/dryer.

Screened lanai. New roof. No pets/no smoking.

Available Now! $4,700 / month.

Annual lease

Bring your boat & sail away!!

Homes for Sale

Call 908-692-4756 LONGBOAT KEY: Beachfront Condos, 1st or 2nd floor, 2BR/2BA, W/D in units, free Wi-Fi, heated pool, & parking.

Call 941-383-3338.

OUR ONLINE TOOLS MAKE IT EASY TO PLACE YOUR AD

5 ACRES Lake Barn Near Fruitville I-75 Call for Price Bradenton: Condo, 2 bed, 2 bath$229,900 Pet friendly 55+

Visit the RED PAGES

Sarasota: 3 Bed, 2 Bath, 1 Car Garage House $359,000

WEEKLY MONTHLY

Sarasota: Pool home, 4 bed. $649,900 Venice: 2/2 Condo Plantation Golf Club. Call for Price Bradenton: Pool Home, New windows, hvac, Completely Updated $689,900

EPIC HOME CARE Personal Care-Respite Care Alzheimer’s Care Light Cleaning Med Administration Meal Prep Shopping, Errands & More Call for a FREE Evaluation!

941-536-6372 Epichomecareprovider@gmail Rosa Torres- Owner

Use the

PalmCoastObserver.com/RedPages

SEASONAL RATES Beachfront, Bayfront and In Between Houses or Condos Reservations 941-383-5577

RED PAGES to clean out your garage

CALL 941-955-4888 Auto Transport SHIP YOUR car, truck or SUV anywhere in the United States.

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

Cleaning

Brooke O’Malley | Club Realty Call 941-726-2677

Visa/MC

Land for Sale

5360 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Suite Longboat Key, FL 34228 Rental office 9a.m. - 5p.m.

M-F Ask about our special rates!

Advertise your business or service in the Observer

RED PAGES CALL TODAY 941-955-4888

Painting SARASOTA INTERIOR PAINTING

wagnerlbkrentals@gmail.com

101

real estate

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

LONGBOAT KEY 537 Halyard Ln.

Owner: 941-504-1492 CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

Merchandise Wanted GOLD, SILVER BUYING w/ CASH. RETIRED INVESTOR Diamonds, Coins, Jewelry, Antiques. Free House Calls.

Discrete/ Confidential. Call David 813-439-2694

CALL 941-955-4888

LONGBOAT KEY Bayside Condo with Gulf View Available January-March 2025 3 month minimum 2 bedroom/2 bath Portobello 4th Floor Spectacular views

CLEANING SERVICE Total Home Service Cleaning, residential, vacation rentals, commercial, power washing and windows. We are family owned, we have been in business for 25 years. Very professional & detailed.

(941) 744-7983 Ths.cleaning

Painting

HIGH-END INTERIOR & EXTERIOR PAINTING WE ARE THE BEST!!!

Residential & Commercial.

Fully Insured.

CALL or TEXT Don 941-900-9398

Professional Services

Wagner Realty LONGBOAT KEY This special lot borders on the 32-acre DURANTE PARK nature preserve and includes DEEDED ACCESS to GULF BEACH and SARASOTA BAY. $1,200,000.

Susan Christy, REALTOR (941) 504-0350 https://561gulfbayroadlbk.com

Since 1939 www.rentalsonlongboat.com

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

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

Honest & reliable.

Free estimates. 941-744-1020.

35+ years experience.

This week’s Crossword answers

UBA PRESSURE WASHING AND SEALER (941) 320-6172 www.ubapressurewashing.com

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “Believe in yourself. ... Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.”

Christian D. Larson Puzzle Two Solution: “My mum says that I was born 45, and I do remember at six thinking that I should be earning my own living.”

Keira Knightley Puzzle Three Solution: “Blues is not just about sadness and despair. It’s about resilience and overcoming adversity.”

John Mayall

This week’s Sudoku answers

©2024 Universal Uclick

©2024 NEA, Inc.

Boat Slips for Rent/Sale

Use the RED PAGES to clean out your garage

You’re only cheating yourself.

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

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer.

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

Autos Wanted

1BR/2BA LONGBOAT KEY Luxury Furnished Townhome at Cedars East Tennis Resort-w/ full resort privileges. Floor-through luxury bedroom suite with 2 walk-in closets, large sundeck w/views. Separate living-diningkitchen floor with full bath, convertible Queen couch and Smart 65" TV. $3,900 Annual Per Mo. (347) 661-9404 https://www.airbnb.com/hosting/listings/editor/26081247/details/photo-tour

peekers’ place

Items Under $200

auto

stuff

Homes for Rent

We’ll SWEEP you off your feet!

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

home services

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

Handyman

Painting

KEENS HANDYMAN SERVICES

SARASOTA INTERIOR PAINTING, LLC

KEENS HANDYMAN SERVICES

Divorce is never fun, but it does not have to be nasty & hateful! Protect your family relationships and assets from expensive Court litigation. Consider Divorce Mediation, the peaceful alternative.

High End Interior & Exterior Painting Services

Health

FULLY INSURED • OWNER OPERATED

GET YOUR LIFE BACK!

Call me for a free 30 minute consultation before you call a Divorce Lawyer!

CALL OR TEXT 941-900-9398 TODAY! OWNER: DON HUBIAK

Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

We have mediated divorces involving up to 10 million dollars of assets over past 27 years.

Roofing

Give Us a Call - We Can Help

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc.

FREE CONSULTATION 941.358.2224

William J. Leininger, JD

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

421262

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC

941-626-3194

Midtown Medical Park 1215 S. East Ave. Suite 210 Sarasota, FL 34239

SELL YOUR CAR!

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936 1/10/23, 10:25 AM

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

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MIC INSURANCE 421253

Patio Furniture Repairs.com 421250

Furniture Sales & Repairs Cushions • Slings • Re-powdercoating

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SPECIAL 00 5

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senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

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Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES 941- 284 - 5880

595 Bay Isles Rd. Suite 215 941.554.8909 | www.micinsurancefl.com

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Sliding Glass Door Repair

Windows

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Doors

Airports, Concerts, Dinners & Cruises www.towncarservicebradenton.com

Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

Licensed, Bonded, and Insured

24 Hour Care • Full Service Home Health Care www.tlchomecaresrq.com • (941) 320-9678 Now Hiring HHA’s & CNA’s

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Transportation

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Insurance

SECUR-ALL INSURANCE AGENCY 510 BAY ISLES ROAD, SUITE 1 • LONGBOAT KEY, FL (Next to SUNTRUST BANK)

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

Leading the market in 2024!

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Wishing you Happy Holidays and Peace in the New Year!

NEW LISTING

TOP 1%

of 1.46M Realtors

Top Small Team Sarasota/Manatee Counties

$3+ Billion

WATER CLUB I $4,649,000

Career Sales Volume

1241 GULF OF MEXICO DR. #401 | 3BR/5BA | 3,400 SQ FT Panoramic Gulf Views | 3 Waterfront Terraces | Private Elevator Lobby | All EnSuite Baths | Gated Pet-Friendly Community

Top 100 Agents RealTrends — All Florida

6401 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE LONGBOAT KEY E $5,875,000

IC

54 Years

4BR/4BA | 3,037 SQ FT | 3-CAR GARAGE Custom Modern Masterpiece | 2022 Rebuild | Exquisite Outdoor Entertaining w/New Pool & Spa and Rooftop Lounge | Furnishings Available | Ready for Immediate Occupancy | All New Hurricane Impact Windows & Sliders | Full-Home Backup Generator

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Combined Real Estate Experience

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NEW LISTING

www.ackermansrq.com RYAN ACKERMAN (941)387-1818 (305) 205-7700

THE ACKERMAN GROUP

BARBARA ACKERMAN (941) 780-6045 (941)780-6045

LAWRENCE POINTE I $1,895,000

101 SUNSET DR., #402 | 3BR/3BA | 2,179 SQ FT $829,000 Direct Bay Updated | Quiet Downtown Location | Low Condominium 1922 HARBOURSIDE DR.,Front #1101 | |2BR/2BA TOWNHOME Updated Kitchen & Baths | Finished A/C Bonus & Recreational Area | PrivateParking 2-Car Garage Fees | Under-Building FAIRWAY BAY LONGBOAT KEY

941.387.1820

Wood Floors | Fireplace | Resort-Style Amenities Private Beach Club Membership

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CHEROKEE PARK

IN IST

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$5,695,000 QUEENS HARBOUR

1655 SOUTH DR. | 5BR/5 FULL BA & 4.5 HALF BA | 6,355 SQ FT Luxury Estate Home | 2,000 Bottle Wine Room | Whole-Home Generator

GRAND BAY V - LONGBOAT KEY

CHEROKEE PARK WEST OF TRAIL

$975,000

$5,985,000

1655 SOUTH DRIVE 5BR/5 FULL BA & 4.5 HALF BA | 6,355 SQ FT Luxury Estate Home | 2,000 Bottle Wine Room | Private Casita | Whole-Home Generator |Rear 3-Car Garage | Gourmet Cooks Kitchen | Resort Style Pool 15 FT Above Flood Impact Windows & Sliders

3080 GRAND BAY BLVD., #533 | 2BR/2BA | 1,329 SQ FT 2 Large Private Terraces | Rarely Available Capri Floor Plan | Floor-to-Ceiling Windows & Sliders 2 Garage Parking Spaces | Pet Friendly | Sunrise & Sunset Views

$2,295,000 THE PROMENADE

GRAND BAY II

3040 GRAND BAY BLVD., #283 | 3BR/3BA | 2,550 SQ FT Custom Updates Throughout | Built-In Office Area | New Porcelain Tile & Oak Wood Floors | Private Elevator Foyer

$2,795,000

3584 FAIR OAKS LN. | 3BR+STUDY/3.5BA | 2,959 SQ FT 2-Car Garage | Direct Protected Sailboat Water - Can Accommodate a Large Vessel up to 55 FT | New Roof

$1,995,000 CONDO ON THE BAY TOWER II

1211 GULF OF MEXICO DR., #801 | 2BR + DEN/3rd BR/3 FULL BA | 2,100 SQ FT | Rarely Available Corner Unit | 180 Degree Bay, City & Gulf Views | Split Floor Plan

$1,349,000

988 BLVD OF THE ARTS #816 | 2BR/2BA | 1,555 SQ FT Incredible Bay, Bridge & Sunset Views Screened-In Tiled Waterfront Balcony | Custom Updates | Pet-Friendly Community

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W NE GRAND BAY I - LONGBOAT KEY

IN IST

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$2,249,000

3060 GRAND BAY BLVD., #112 3BR/2BA | 2,250 SQ FT Completely Updated | Fully Furnished | NW Corner Residence Fet-Friendly | Socially Active Community | Private Beach Club | Resort Style Amenities

GRAND BAY II - LONGBOAT KEY

3040 GRAND BAY BLVD., #221 3BR/3.5BA | 2,925 SQ FT Furnished | 2 Garage Parking Spaces | Wraparound Terrace | 10 FT Ceilings Pet-Friendly | Private Beach Club Resort Style Amenities

$1,995,000 THE LAKES ESTATES

GRAND BAY I

PENDING SALE 3060 GRAND BAY BLVD., #112 | 3BR/2BA | 2,250 SQ FT Completely Updated | 1st Floor Residence | Large Bayfront Terrace Fully Furnished | NW Corner Residence | Pet-Friendly

$2,375,000

$899,000 FAIRWAY BAY

1755 OAK LAKES DR. | 3BR + ST/2 BA | 2,583 SQ FT 2-Car Garage | Largest Lakefront Lot in the Community | Fully Renovated and Move-In Ready | New Roof

$799,000

1922 HARBOURSIDE DR., #1101 | 2BR/2BA TOWNHOME Updated Kitchen & Baths | Finished A/C Bonus and Recreational Area | Private 2-Car Garage

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N PIERRE - LONGBOAT KEY

$4,750,000

THE SEA BREEZE - SIESTA KEY

$2,900,000

LAWRENCE POINTE - DOWNTOWN

$2,169,000

9008 MIDNIGHT PASS RD., #5 | 3BR/3.5BA | 3,700 SQ FT 101 SUNSET DR., #402 | 3BR/3BA | 2,179 SQ FT 455 LONGBOAT CLUB RD, PH #4 Private 2-Car Garage & Roof Top Terrace | Full-Floor Penthouse Updated | Quiet Downtown Location | Low Condominium Fees 5BR/4.5BA + OFFICE l 1,100 SQ FT of TERRACE 10 FT Ceilings | 2 New A/C Units | Deeded Boat Dock Under-Building Parking | Unobstructed Sunset Views 17 FT Ceilings l Year-round Sunrises & Sunsets I 360 Degree OAKS $1,799,000 THE SEA BREEZE $2,900,000 Views of the Gulf, Bay, Downtown, Siesta Key & John Ringling $1,645,000 BAYSO SARASOTA 360 NORTH RD. | 3BR/3.5BA | 2,913 SQ FT 301 QUAY COMMONS #903 | 2BR+Study/3 Full BA | 1,828 SQ FT 9008 MIDNIGHT PASS RD., #5 | 3BR/3.5BA | 3,700 SQ FT Bridge I On-site POINT Mgt, Guest Suites, Fitness & More

Brand New Construction | High Ceilings | Gourmet Kitchen w/ 9th Floor Location | Split Floor Plan | Positioned to Capture Optimal Private 2-Car Garage and Roof Top Terrace | Full-Floor ST. ARMANDS • 443| 2JOHN RINGLING BLVD., STE.,Spaces F | SARASOTA, FL 34236 Penthouse | 10 FT Ceilings Center Island | 2-Car Detached Garage with EV OFFICE ChargerLOCATIONViews Side-By-Side Prime Parking

PENDING

NOW SOLD $4,450,000 ROYAL ST. ANDREW $1,899,900 TANGERINE BAY CLUB $1,090,000 SABAL COVE

2151 GULF OF MEXICO DR. #5 | 3BR/3BA | 3,400 SQ FT | Outstanding Sunset Views | Gourmet Kitchen

555 S. GULFSTREAM AVE. #901/901A | 370 GULF OF MEXICO DR. #416 | 3BR/2.5BA | 2,305 SQ FT | 9th Floor 1 & 3BR/3.5BA | 2,476 SQ FT | All New 1/2 Combined Residences Hurricane Impact Doors and Windows

$2,695,000 PIERRE

$4,750,000

3330 SABAL COVE LN. | 4BR + DEN / 4 455 LONGBOAT CLUB RD, PH #4 | FULL & 2 HALF BA | Wide Lake Views 5BR/4.5BA + OFFICE | 1,100 SQ FT of High Ceilings | Open Kitchen | New Roof TERRACE | 17 FT Ceilings

ST. ARMANDS OFFICE LOCATION • 443 JOHN RINGLING BLVD., STE., F | SARASOTA, FL 34236

415560-1

EN PROVENCE