East County Observer 11.7.24

EAST COUNTY

Fast company at car show

Observer

Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998

PAGE 4B

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

VOLUME 26, NO. 12

YOUR TOWN

Manatee Republicans sweep School millage and tourist tax referendums pass by wide margins. SEE PAGE 3A

Courtesy image

Rock, paper, scissors king In the ultimate showdown, Wendell Butler, principal at Braden River High School, was facing off against senior Ava Culp.

Surrounded by dozens of students in the cafeteria, Butler (above) and Culp participated in a rock, paper, scissors final Oct. 30.

Culp was the senior champion from the rock, paper, scissors competition Oct. 29 and had to defeat Butler to be the Pirate Champion.

After two rounds though, Butler had bested Culp, earning dozens of beaded necklaces Culp had earned for each of her victories.

The rock, paper, scissors competition was a part of the Braden River High’s homecoming spirit festivities, which were originally scheduled the week of Oct. 7, but Hurricane Milton caused the school to reschedule for the week of Oct. 28.

SAY CHEERS TO CHARITY Rotary Club hosts another big Suncoast Food & Wine Fest.

SEE PAGE 1B

Lesley Dwyer

Lesley Dwyer

Country Club’s Michele Campbell and Blythe Hanson enjoy VIP treatment at the 2024 Suncoast Food & Wine Fest Nov. 2.

Sporting gold on local courts Pickleball players at Longwood Park have a Special Olympian in their midst.

Chris Vinci (above) won a gold medal at the Special Olympics West Coast Regional Fall Classic on Oct. 5. The event was held at the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex in Wesley Chapel.

Before competing, players are assessed based on their serves, return of serve, volleys and rally. Vinci lives in Parrish but practices for two hours every day at Longwood Park.

“I’ve been playing in the Special Olympics since 1989,” Vinci said. “I’ve won a lot of medals.”

Vinci plays tennis and softball, too.

A+E

A step above at UTC

$1.00 File photo

The toughest part of Nik Wallenda’s high-wire walk at the 2023 Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade was getting his balancing pole around the 50-foot Christmas tree.

High-wire artist Nik Wallenda will rise above the crowd at Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade on Nov. 9. SEE PAGE 8A

Art flows on rising tide.

INSIDE

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

SMART merger with heart Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy merges with Hooves with HEART to become SMART with Heart.

SENIOR EDITOR

S

arasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy is returning to its roots — but with a twist.

Under new leadership, the nonprofit has merged with Hooves with HEART. (Horse Education and Riding Therapy), another East County nonprofit, to serve more individuals with disabilities by providing therapeutic riding lessons.

The resulting nonprofit, now known as SMART with Heart, is headquartered at SMART’s 23 acres on County Road 675.

Ilee Finocchiaro, who served as a volunteer and instructor at SMART for eight-and-a-half years as well as a volunteer at Hooves with HEART for 11 months, has been named SMART with Heart’s new executive director.

Danielle Curtis, the vice president of the SMART with Heart board,

Ilee Finocchiaro is the new executive director of SMART with Heart.

said the board decided to let go of SMART’s previous executive director, Mark Hiser, to return to the nonprofit’s mission and why it was created. “(The board) wanted the sole focus of this facility to be about the therapeutic benefits our equines can deliver to those in need in our community,” Curtis said. “Hiring Ilee was the step in that direction and merging with a like-minded program like Hooves with HEART was the next one.”

The merger was finalized Sept. 1.

Finocchiaro said the resulting nonprofit is providing therapy riding lessons to about 40 riders with special needs per week.

Curtis said the merger helped Hooves with HEART at a time when it was looking for a bigger home to serve more riders.

Hooves with HEART has been headquartered on a donated property in Myakka City but now will move to SMART’s home at 4640 C.R. 675 in East County.

Curtis said her initial reaction to the potential of merging the nonprofits was terrifying because Hooves with HEART was the “little train that kind of could” and was growing to serve the community the best it could.

She had never visited other equine therapeutic centers in the area, but after visiting SMART, she was hooked.

“I was kind of spellbound by this beautiful facility,” Curtis said of SMART’s grounds. “All I saw was the potential of what that place could be, and because Ilee was working with us over at Hooves and I knew what her heart was, I just needed to sit down with the current board and see if they were willing to merge in a way that Hooves riders would feel as at home (at SMART with Heart) as they’ve always felt with us at Hooves.”

Photos by Liz Ramos

Amber Tarbet takes 13-year-old Leah Barros through her riding lesson with the help of Martha Murphy, Lisa Hughes and Sheryl Aguilar. SMART with Heart is looking for more volunteers and instructors to serve more people.

SMART with Heart has five certified therapeutic riding instructors and two equine specialists in mental health and learning.

Finocchiaro walked around the arena at SMART with Heart and gave instruction to Daniel Barros, a 13-year-old rider with cerebral palsy, during his lesson Oct. 30.

She said coming back to SMART felt like returning home. Finocchiaro, a hairstylist and stay-at-home mom over the years, never imagined she would become the executive director of the nonprofit she adored.

“I can’t do this by myself,” Finocchiaro said. “I was a hairstylist who loved horses, and I don’t know everything, but if I surround myself with people who have the passion, belief and knowledge, we can all do this together.”

“Being back home again, I want to be able to build that family feel again with our volunteers and with our participants,” she said.

Finocchiaro said there is something happening every week at SMART with Heart, whether it’s hosting a homeschool field trip, hosting community organizations like Selah Freedom, giving individual lessons, or working with veterans.

But the nonprofit is struggling financially because of leadership turnover and hurricane damages.

SUPPORT SMART WITH HEART The nonprofit is looking for donations and volunteers. Visit SMARTRiders.org to donate or sign up to become a volunteer.

On Nov. 9, anyone who mentions SMART with Heart while ordering from PDQ at 5484 Lena Road will be able to support the nonprofit as PDQ will donate a portion of the proceeds to SMART with Heart.

SMART with Heart is 100% volunteer-run.

“Our community has a huge heart to want to see this succeed,” Curtis said. “We have such giving people who are willing to step up to the plate and do what needs to be done.”

Finocchiaro said SMART with Heart is depending on community donations so it can care for the nonprofit’s most important partners — the horses.

“We can’t overwork them,” she said. “We need to cycle them around because their mental well-being is just as important as humans’,” she said. “They definitely come first.”

Finocchiaro said it costs approximately $10,000 per month to care for the nonprofit’s nine horses and five mini horses.

Besides needing money to care for the horses, the nonprofit is looking for donations for facility repairs, including a new roof on two of its buildings, a new concrete barn and a new water system.

Flanzer Trust matches every donation to SMART with Heart.

SMART with Heart also is looking for volunteers, especially to allow it to expand its services and programming.

“Every day, I’m like, ‘OK, how are we going to teach these kids today?’

We’re short handed, and in order for us to continue doing our mission, we need the volunteers and the support to be able to continue putting on safe therapeutic riding lessons,” Finocchiaro said.

Finocchiaro and Curtis hope to begin a program for first responders and another for individuals who might not have a medical diagnosis but need therapy to address stress, anxiety and more. Finocchiaro also would like to start a program for those struggling with substance abuse as well as a program for cancer survivors.

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LIZ RAMOS

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

Voters support school tax referendum Carol Felts completes Cinderella political story with victory in District 1 County Commission race.

Aeryell Dunnuck, a campaign volunteer, hugs Carol Felts after her victory in the Commission District 1 race.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

F

or Cliff Dawson, the director of bands at Braden River High School, it was work as usual, preparing his marching band on Election Day. While he and his dozens of students were practicing, voters were headed to the polls to decide whether to continue to support the School District of Manatee County’s 1-mill property tax referendum, which supports visual and performing arts programs like Braden River High’s marching band.

Dawson said the funding from the referendum “has done so much for the students” by injecting money into arts programs in Manatee County that was “desperately needed.”

“It is kind of crucial to our success,” Dawson said.

Voters understood the importance, and 83% of them voted to approve the continuation of the 1-mill property tax referendum.

The support was expected, as was the domination by Republican candidates over Democrats and NPAs in every Manatee County race.

Support for the additional school tax continues to build. In 2021, voters approved a continuation of the school tax referendum during a special election after initially approving the referendum during a special election in March 2018.

Jason Wysong, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, said the district is grateful for voters recognizing the progress the district has made over the past three years.

The 1-mill property tax referendum will fund teacher and staff salary supplements, an additional 30 minutes to each school day, visual and performing arts programs, career and technical education, STEM programs, athletics, early literacy initiatives, and school safety and security.

“This was a important vote to maintain the momentum that’s been built,” Wysong said. “We have a very talented set of teachers and support staff, all the people who create a positive learning environment at schools. The additional mill from the voters ensures that this workforce is going to stay intact and is going to be here for hopefully the long haul.”

Wysong said besides the financial support, the community’s overwhelming approval of the referendum demonstrates to teachers and staff that “they have the community’s support to educate the children of Manatee County.”

New aspects of the referendum include early literacy initiatives, school safety and security, and athletics.

Funding will go toward paying for transportation, officials, equipment and more for athletics.

For school safety and security, referendum funding will allow the district to have additional security at after-school events and activities, and more.

Referendum funding for early literacy programs will focus on learners from birth to third grade and support an Early Learning and Family Support Center that provides free developmental screenings.

“We’re excited for all the things we’re going to be able to continue as well as the new items added by the board,” Wysong said. “We’ve had lots of informal conversations about possibilities about the opportunities the funding will bring in those areas, so now we will really get to work on building a proposed budget to implement those items.”

MAJORITY RULES

The school tax victory was just one of the landslides on Election Day. After two previous defeats in her attempts to earn a Manatee County Commission seat, Myakka City’s Carol Felts got the job done in 2024.

Felts lost in 2020 and 2022, but on Nov. 5 she won the District 1 seat in a landslide with 64% of the vote over Glen Pearson, the Democratic candidate, and Jennifer Hamey, who ran

Lesley Dwyer

CONTESTED RACE RESULTS Total votes % of votes MANATEE COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 1 (13 OF 14 PRECINCTS) Carol Felts 35,551 64.26% Jennifer Hamey 5,0183 9.37% Glenn Pearson 14,589 26.37% DISTRICT 3 Jeffrey Gray Diana Shoemaker Tal Siddique

Courtesy image

Parrish’s Heather Felton will be the new representative for District 1 of the School Board of Manatee County.

with no party affiliation.

“I was just happy to win the primary,” Felts said. “Honestly, I’m as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Now, people expect things from me. It’s easier to be an activist.”

Felts celebrated at a Chinese buffet in Bradenton with eight of her campaign volunteers. Volunteer Charlene Kow placed a plastic tiara on Felts’s head after they heard the good news.

A grassroots candidate from her first run in 2020, Felts earned only 299 votes on write-ins that year.

During the current election season, Felts’ campaign raised $26,251.97 to Steve Metallo’s $101,155 for the Republican primary, which she won with 54% of the votes.

Metallo had been labeled a “puppet for special interests” by a coalition called Take Back Manatee, which fueled Felts’ momentum.

“Carol Felts started this whole movement eight years ago,” campaign volunteer Selena Cunningham said of Felts’ desire to limit the power of developers in the commission chambers. “She was posting on the Myakka 411 Facebook page and was telling us to get informed.”

Unlike other candidates, Felts’ end goal wasn’t always to get elected.

“The point of this journey was to inspire others,” Felts said. “I thought somebody bigger, faster and stronger would run, but it just so happened that it ended up as moi.”

As a resident, Felts wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. As a commissioner, she said she’ll do a lot more listening. She’s comfortable that the rest of the board knows where she stands on most issues.

More importantly, she said she doesn’t need to explain her decisions to those on the dias, only to the people.

Felts benefited from the voters favoring Republicans in Manatee County.

In other races, Commissioner

73 15,124 23,515

0.19% 39.07% 60.74%

DISTRICT 5 Joseph Di Bartolomeo 15,666 Robert McCann 41,110

27.59% 72.41%

DISTRICT 7 (68 OF 71 PRECINCTS) George Kruse 141,759 66.7% Sari Lindroos-Valimaki 70,487 33.21% MANATEE SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 1 (14 OF 15 PRECINCTS) Heather Felton 28,487 57.55% Mark Stanoch 21.014 42.45% DISTRICT 3 Charles Kennedy Jonathan Lynch

20,999 15,519

57.50% 42.50%

MANATEE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS (68 OF 71 PRECINCTS) Thomas Dell 5,608 3.15% Scott Farrington 172,557 96.85% EAST MANATEE FIRE RESCUE SEAT 2 (16 OF 19 PRECINCTS) James Carlino 39,407 Larry Luh 14,991

72.44% 27.56%

WATERLEFE CDD SEAT 4 Richard Barber Thomas Potter

383 275

58.21% 41.79%

LAKEWOOD RANCH CDD 5 SEAT 2 Michael Defferding 569 Steven Peters 565

50.18% 49.82%

LAKEWOOD RANCH CDD 5 SEAT 4 Sharon Defferding 588 Thomas Leavey 563

51.09% 48.91%

LAKEWOOD RANCH CDD 2 SEAT 2 Donald Avolio 897 Jeffrey Siegel 815

52.39% 47.61%

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 72 (30 OF 31 PRECINCTS) William Conerly 70,596 64.96% Lesa Miller 38,079 35.04% SCHOOL BOARD REFERENDUM CONTINUED FUNDING (68 OF 71 PR.) Yes 169,990 82.54% No 35,966 17.46% TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX REFERENDUM (68 OF 71 PRECINCTS) Yes 140,767 68.07% No 66,042 31.93%

“The point of this journey was to inspire others. I thought somebody bigger, faster and stronger would run, but it just so happened that it ended up as moi.”

— Carol Felts

George Kruse sailed through the general election against Democratic candidate Sari Lindroos-Valimaki to keep his seat in District 7.

The general election lacked the passion of the primary, in which Kruse defeated fellow commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, who had switched races to challenge Kruse.

“The public, as a whole in Manatee County on a bipartisan basis, said they wanted change in how their government was run,” Kruse said.

“For the first time in a long time, a majority of this board is beholden to the public and not beholden to any special interest.”

Republican candidate Dr. Bob McCann won the District 5 seat easily. He had won the Republican primary against Commissioner Ray Turner and cruised to victory over NPA Joseph Di Bartolomeo in the general election.

Republican Bill Conerly claimed the District 72 House of Representatives seat by dispatching Democratic opponent Lesa Miller.

In the District 3 Commission race, Tal Siddique prevailed over Democrat Diana Shoemaker.

In the School Board of Manatee County District 1 race, Parrish’s Heather Felton won a runoff easily over East County’s Mark Stanoch.

“My head is spinning a little bit,” Felton said. “I’m looking at the numbers and going ‘22,000 people voted for me.’ A year ago, 22,000 people would’ve never recognized me in a line-up. It’s amazing. I am so excited.”

Felton, a former teacher with experience in the School District of Manatee County, said being a board member will be her full-time job.

She said she wants to be an advocate for teachers, students, parents and others.

Her first priority, she said, will be changing the time of meetings to ensure parents, teachers, staff and other residents are able to attend.

With Charlie Kennedy winning the District 3 seat on the board, Felton said she hopes she and Kennedy, as former teachers, can be a voice for the teachers.

“The two of us as teachers will be a good leveling influence in terms of what you can and can’t expect in the classroom and what you can and can’t expect from students, teachers and administrators,” she said.

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

Art show and sale benefits students

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arlos E. Haile Middle School students were in awe Oct. 3 of how science interacted with art during a glass blowing demonstration at the Duncan McClellan Gallery in St. Petersburg.

At the gallery, students learned about the process of making blown glass art and then they created their own artwork.

“The kids have never created art with glass, so it was cool for them to be able to see and do that and actually participate in the art making process,” said Joe Gibson, the art teacher at Haile Middle School.

The students were able to go to the Duncan McClellan Art Gallery as a result of donations from the Manatee River Artists Guild at Waterlefe.

The guild donates proceeds from its annual art show to Haile Middle and Freedom Elementary School each year and those donations pay to give students opportunities to learn new mediums and methods. The donations also pay for field trips to art museums and galleries.

The guild’s next Art and Craft Show and Sale is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Nov. 9 at the Waterlefe River Club.

Kristen Simpson, the art teacher at Freedom Elementary, said the support of the guild has been wonderful.

“Without their support, my lessons would be limited, and my students would not have as many opportunities to explore new art mediums and methods,” Simpson said. “I am able to provide quality materials for the students. I can expose them to more art making opportunities and allow them to develop their skills.”

The guild also donated a mobile art display board to Freedom Elementary to showcase student artwork at school.

Courtesy image

IF YOU GO What: Manatee River Artists Guild at Waterlefe 18th annual Art and Craft Show and Sale When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 9 Where: Waterlefe River Club, 995 Fish Hook Cove, Bradenton Cost: Free Details: The guild will have a fundraising raffle and silent auction to benefit students and visual arts programs at Haile Middle School and Freedom Elementary School. Artists from the community will display their work as well as students from the schools.

More information: Visit ManateeRiverArtistsGuild.com.

Carlos E. Haile Middle School’s Chase Anthony works on a piece of art. Anthony will display his artwork at the Manatee River Artists Guild at Waterlefe’s Art and Craft Show and Sale on Nov. 9.

New art experiences for Haile students have gone beyond the classroom.

Besides the art gallery in St. Petersburg, students took a field trip to the Ringling Museum of Art on Oct. 30.

“A lot of the kids have never been to an art museum before at all, so giving them this enrichment opportunity is significant,” Gibson said.

“Being able to show them some of the amazing work that people have done in history is significant.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

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Will Upper Manatee River Road gridlock get worse?

With commissioners approving 728 new homes in the corridor, residents along Upper Manatee River Road expect the worst in traffic conditions.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

T

raffic on Upper Manatee River Road has become so congested during rush hours, Gates Creek resident Cheryl Phelps said she wants to move out of the area.

“You don’t have a life here during the week,” she said.

While Manatee County is widening the road from two lanes to four from State Road 64 to the Fort Hamer Bridge, Phelps doesn’t see the congestion easing any time soon, especially in light of two new developments approved by the Manatee County Commission in October.

UMR Sports was approved to build 232 apartments on the south side of the bridge, and Carlos Beruff’s North River Land LLC was approved to build 496 residential units and 300,000 square feet of commercial on the north side of the bridge.

Phelps figures each residence will add another two cars to the road, and residences with teenagers will add even more.

“The traffic will flow through here,” she said. “Then, it’s going to stop at the bridge.”

The Fort Hamer Bridge is still two lanes and so is Fort Hamer Road on the other side of the bridge. Phelps fears a bottleneck will occur when trying to merge four lanes into two.

She already struggles to get out of her neighborhood during rush hour traffic, especially when she has to turn left. When Phelps needs to be somewhere, she’s learned to leave her home early, which is the same advice Commissioner George Kruse offered all residents in the area.

“This is your life now,” Kruse said.

“Adjust it accordingly. At no point is Fort Hamer Road or Upper Manatee River Road going to widen to six lanes. We don’t have the capacity

to take more right of way unless we start taking people’s actual homes and businesses.”

Construction on Upper Manatee River Road is underway now and is expected to be completed by fall 2027. Ogden Clark, Public Works’ communications coordinator, said the widening will ease some of the congestion.

“Upper Manatee River Road has more access points than just the Fort Hamer Bridge,” Clark said in an email. “Widening Upper Manatee River Road will improve traffic flows south of the bridge for motorists traveling to and from the east-west portion of Upper Manatee River Road, as well as the neighborhoods along the north-south portion of the roadway.”

Kruse called the widening a “Band-Aid” because the county doesn’t have the money to also fund widening the bridge and Fort Hamer Road. He estimates the cost to widen both at about $200 million.

Between commissioners declining to claim special circumstances to collect additional impact fees in August and then lowering the millage in September, Kruse said the county will have to rely on the state to widen the bridge and road to four lanes.

“We just bonded another $140 million, which strains our bonding capacity and our cash flow because now we’ve got another $4 million a year in debt service,” Kruse said. “We don’t have $200 million, and even if we did, we cannot move all of our money to one road because of development.”

Kruse said he voted against Beruff’s project because it was too high in density, but voted in favor of the UMR Sports’ project because it fell in line with the county’s guidelines. The project proposed fewer

The map illustrates where the construction project to widen Upper Manatee River Road to four lanes begins and ends.

UPPER MANATEE RIVER ROAD CONSTRUCTION Work began in August and is anticipated to be completed in fall 2027. Construction hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with occasional nighttime and weekend hours. During construction, drivers can expect some lane shifts, but one travel lane in each direction will remain open through the duration of the project.

units than is allowed in the Future Land Use Map and includes recreational green space.

“We can’t fight things to fight things,” Kruse said. “There’s a Comprehensive Plan, a Land Development Code and a Future Land Use Map that we are required by law and Florida Statute to adhere to.”

Before Beruff’s project was approved, residents had the same question for commissioners: Have you driven Fort Hamer Road? The consistent complaint was that it takes between 15 to 20 minutes to drive one mile.

Kruse and Commissioner Jason Bearden were the two dissenting votes.

The bridge and Fort Hamer Road are both owned by the county, but staff members are looking outside the county to help fund each project.

So far, the state has funded $5.5 million to cover studies and designs to widen the bridge and road to four lanes up to U.S. 301.

Commissioners also approved the submission of a grant application to the United States Department of Transportation Bridge Investment Program on Oct. 22.

If awarded, the grant would cover 80% of the estimated cost of $77 million to build a second span. USDOT would pay $61.6 million; Manatee

Courtesy image

“We can’t fight things to fight things. There’s a Comprehensive Plan, a Land Development Code and a Future Land Use Map that we are required by law and Florida Statute to adhere to.”

— Commissioner George Kruse

County would pay $15.4 million.

The county’s share would come from gas taxes and impact fees over a three-year period starting in

FY2026.

Construction would begin in fall 2028.

A $1.2 million project development and environmental study on Fort Hamer Road is expected to be complete in June 2025.

The design of the road is also funded, but right-of-way acquisitions and construction are not funded at this time.

Clark said state funding is justified because the roadway provides another north-south evacuation route and supports the interstate system by alleviating traffic.

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

The Possibilities ARE ENDLESS!

School make-up time scheduled Changes to the School District of Manatee County’s academic calendar have been made to make up for time lost due to hurricanes.

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BEFORE

AFTER

tudents in the School District of Manatee County missed eight school days as a result of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.

As a result, the School Board of Manatee County unanimously approved changes to this year’s academic calendar to make up the time lost.

Superintendent Jason Wysong said there are multiple state requirements in which the district needs to comply, and the state has not waived any instructional requirements due to the impacts of the hurricanes.

Wysong said the three days during the week of Thanksgiving were not sufficient time to make up the lost classroom time, so the district devised a new plan.

“We talked about what was best for students from a learning perspective, and then we talked about what’s best for families based on the stakeholder feedback we were receiving. We also talked about what are the impacts to employee groups,” Wysong said.

The changes to the calendar are as follows: ■ Nov. 6, which was a previously an early release day, will now be a full attendance day.

■ Nov. 11, which previously was a day off due to Veterans Day, is now a full school day.

■ Dec. 18-20, which were previously scheduled high school early

release dates, will now be full attendance days.

■ Jan. 6 and March 5, which were previously early release days, now will be a full attendance days.

■ March 7 and March 14 now will be early release days. They were previously full student attendance days.

■ March 24 was previously a scheduled record day, meaning students were not in attendance, but now students will be in school.

On top of the date changes, bell schedules at select high schools, including but not limited to Braden River and Palmetto high schools, will be modified to increase class periods by one to two minutes. Wysong said those modifications will not alter arrival or dismissal times.

The last day for high school seniors also will be modified based on the number of instructional minutes needed at each campus, but it will not impact graduation dates.

“In my opinion, we have added quality time back into the calendar so that we can move forward with our assurance to families that children are getting the reading, math, science and social studies instruction they need to make that learning gain,” Wysong said.

With these changes, Wysong said the district’s Thanksgiving, winter and spring breaks will not be altered.

Board members Richard Tatem, Mary Foreman and Cindy Spray said although the initial academic calendar had three days scheduled during the week of Thanksgiving as hurricane make-up days, the changes were made due to extenuating circumstances.

“Early on in the discussion, Dr. Wysong was very aware that people need a break,” Foreman said. “We’re all stressed and have been through a lot with the hurricanes and to take away a part of that week, some families already have out-of-town commitments and probably wouldn’t

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School District of Manatee County students will have to make up time due to academic time lost as a result of the hurricanes.

— Jason Wysong, Superintendent

even be at school, so you’re losing academic days. I think it was a wise decision, and I hope everyone has a very nice Thanksgiving week.”

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Derek Jensen, the deputy superintendent of instruction, said schools will be encouraging patriotism and recognizing veterans on Nov. 11 by asking students to wear red, white and blue that day. School uniform requirements will be suspended Nov. 11.

Classroom lessons on Nov. 11 will comply with a state instructional statute that requires lessons that recognize the sacrifices of veterans.

“Because we’ll have a unique opportunity this year on Veterans Day to engage in those topics, we thought it’d be a wonderful opportunity to encourage patriotism and recognize we have so many veterans who have served on board, who are employed in this district or who are in our community,” Jensen said.

Students who participate in Veterans Day parades and community events will be “field tripped” out of school or excused to allow them to continue to participate in the events.

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“In my opinion, we have added quality time back into the calendar so that we can move forward with our assurance to families that children are getting the reading, math, science and social studies instruction they need to make that learning gain.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

EAST COUNTY

Nik Wallenda puts a charge into the crowd as well as the 50-foot Christmas Tree at University Town Center by crossing Cattlemen Road on the high wire Nov. 11, 2023.

“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.”

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

Arrival

in style

File photos

King of the High Wire ushers in holiday season at Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

F

or Santa, negotiating a wire that runs from the top of a Christmas tree to a neighboring building is no big deal, even if his sled approaches and the wire is a bit higher than he expected.

He just pulls back on the reins and tells Rudolph to lead the team a bit higher.

That wasn’t quite the case last year when high-wire acrobat extraordinaire Nik Wallenda had to deal with slightly different dimensions when it came time to walk the wire to light the Mall at UTC’s big Christmas tree along the Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade route with thousands of people watching.

Knowing his life is on the line during the tree-lighting walk, as well as all his stunts, Wallenda meticulously plans each step.

But if one end of the wire is attached a little higher or lower than expected, it can change the degree of elevation he is walking or can put him closer to the tree than expected.

If the tree is closer or farther away, it can affect what he needs to do with his balancing pole.

“We had elevation issues,” Wallenda said of his 2023 tree-lighting walk at UTC. “We had to get around that tree with the balancing pole.”

Silence fell over the crowd, which collectively held its breath as Wallenda slowly turned his body, working the long pole around the tree.

And when those lights on the tree came alive, the crowd erupted in applause.

Despite the added challenge, Wallenda never considered canceling the walk, which was the highlight of last year’s parade, or turning back.

“I’ve crossed Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon and I’ve done the Macy’s Day Parade (in New York) 13 times, but there always is something special about performing in your hometown,” Wallenda said.

But he admitted it felt good to take his last step off the wire last year and then wave to the crowd.

“There is always a sigh of relief when you get to the other side safely,” he said.

There will be two sighs of relief this year if Wallenda performs his

Courtesy image

IF YOU GO

SANTA’S GRAND ARRIVAL PARADE NOV. 9 Where: Mall at UTC Cost: Free Event schedule: ■ 5 p.m. — Parade route opens with live DJs, holiday characters, giveaways, food trucks and more ■ 5:45 p.m. — Veterans tribute ■ 6 p.m. — Tree-lighting with Nik and Erendira Wallenda on the high-wire ■ 6:15 p.m. — First light show of the season ■ 6:30 p.m. — Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade ■ 7:30 p.m. — Fireworks ■ 8-9:30 p.m. — After-party with concert by Cassadee Pope

stunt successfully at the Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade on Nov. 9.

His wife, Erendira, will perform on the wire with him. This year’s treelighting event is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. The tree is located on North Cattlemen Road, on the traffic circle adjacent to UTC’s The Green.

The first light show of the season begins at 6:15 p.m. followed by the start of Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade at 6:30 p.m. After the hour-long parade, a fireworks show begins at

Holiday parade characters get their instructions in a parking lot before the Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade.

7:30 p.m. and the Cassadee Pope concert kicks off at 8 p.m.

The parade route begins and ends at the traffic circle where North Cattlemen Road meets DeSoto Road and Mall Ring Road and moves to the traffic circle near The Green before heading back in the other direction.

Free parking is available in the mall parking lots, at Nathan Benderson Park, and in a lot south of Homewood Suites.

A special veterans tribute is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. along the parade route. The parade will feature more than 50 floats, marching bands and dance troops, along with a special appearance by Santa Claus.

Pope, whose hometown is West Palm Beach, was the Season 3 winner of “The Voice.” Her duet with Chris Young “Think of You” was Grammynominated.

Wallenda will have more local appearances after the parade. For the second consecutive year, his “Wonderland” show will be offered under the big top at UTC, this time with a show called “Illuminate” that will offer shows from Nov. 22 through Jan. 5.

The Wonderland show is billed as a production that “will take audiences on a heartwarming and visually stunning journey that brings together the enchantment of the winter holidays and their unique traditions.”

The show features Wallenda along with Johnny Rockett and Ty McFarlan, along with other circus artists.

“This will be a brand new show (as compared to last year),” Wallenda said. “It’s a new storyline.”

Last year’s show was so popular that Wallenda had to expand his original schedule of 38 shows to 50.

“In the end, people want to see something different,” Wallenda said.

“But it features many of the same key personnel.

“It is going to be about unity, and combining all our cultures to come together for the common good.”

Wallenda is happy to be spending the holidays in front of hometown crowds.

“It is such an honor and an incredible feeling to perform for your hometown,” he said. “This isn’t just a circus. There is more to it. I think people will leave these shows inspired.”

A fireworks show will light up the sky during Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade and After-Party concert on Nov. 11 at University Town Center.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

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JAY HEATER

Navy vet honored to play in Lakewood Ranch concert D uring Pam Jefferies’ 10 years serving in the U.S. Navy, she never was more proud of being in the military than she was June 8, 1991, during the National Victory Celebration in Washington, D.C. Jefferies, who was serving as the drum major, was leading the Navy Band Southeast (Orlando) in the Desert Storm Victory Parade, which included 8,000 Desert Storm troops and was attended by more than 200,000 people. The parade route went down Constitution Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue and crossed the Memorial Bridge.

With her position in front of the band, Jefferies came to where President George H.W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush were sitting. She locked eyes with the first lady.

“Mrs. Bush gave me the biggest salute,” said Jefferies, who now plays saxophone and clarinet for the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble.

“She was all smiles.”

That pride continues to run through Jefferies when she plays songs that honor soldiers and military veterans, as she will Nov. 10, when the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble plays a Veterans Day Concert at Peace Presbyterian Church in Lakewood Ranch.

“Just hearing the music makes me proud to have served, and makes me humble,” she said. “So many people have sacrificed so much. I am proud to be recognized as part of that.”

She said the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble’s focus will be on “our amazing veterans.”

“The music is the music that a military band would play,” she said.

Under the direction of Music Director and Conductor Joe Martinez, along with founder and Director Emeritus Joe Miller, the band will be playing patriotic favorites (iconic American marches and tributes) along with a special performance of “Bugler’s Holiday.”

Presentations during the concert

IF YOU GO

VETERANS DAY CONCERT When: 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10 Where: Peace Presbyterian Church, 12705 S.R. 64 E., Lakewood Ranch Program title: “Saluting Those That Served” Tickets: Free for military veterans; $10 adults; $5 students More information or to purchase tickets: Go to LWRWindEnsemble.org.

(Tickets also are available at the door.)

include a “Porgy and Bess” medley and “Elegy for a Young American.”

Jefferies, who will play saxophone during the concert, said she would have played in the Navy band for 30 years if the military hadn’t been downsized when she reached the 10-year mark. She thought it was important to be a part of band that played at military funerals, parades and honor functions.

She almost never played a note in the Navy.

After graduating from Ben Davis High in Indianapolis, Indiana, the 18-year-old Jefferies, who was born in Muncie, Indiana, enlisted in the Navy and headed to the Naval Training Center in Orlando.

“I went to boot camp when I was 18,” she said. “I went into the Navy because I loved the water, and I just wanted to serve my country. I wanted to go into aviation (with the Navy).”

But while training, she found out there was a band on the base.

She had grown up in a family that always embraced music, and she was skilled at both the saxophone and the clarinet. She also was the drum major for the marching band at Ben Davis High.

She thought she was fine about

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Pam Jefferies played in the U.S. Navy Band for 10 years. She now performs with the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble.

moving away from music in the Navy, until one day she went to the band room and asked the warrant officer there if she could join.

He told her they were looking for someone to play both the clarinet and the saxophone.

It was meant to be, so she switched to a military career performing in the band.

She found her work fulfilling.

“Absolutely, we were the support branch of the military,” she said.

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“We would play at the funerals, and the families of the soldiers were so grateful.”

Growing up in Indiana, Jefferies used to go to her grandfather Richard Watts’ gigs. He played both the clarinet and the sax. Her mom, Sandra Benedict, also played the clarinet.

Jefferies didn’t believe she wanted to follow in their footsteps, even though she loved music. She had her heart set on playing the drums.

Then, at the age of 9, she came home one day to find a clarinet sitting on the kitchen table with her name on it.

“I was forced into it,” she said.

“But my mother said both she and my grandfather could teach me to play (the clarinet). I wasn’t happy, but I took to it. It was just ... me.”

A year later, she picked up a saxophone, which took over as her favorite instrument.

“I play more sax now,” she said.

“I love the sound. It’s the cherry on top of my sundae.”

Besides playing with the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble, she also plays with The Gravel Road band, which performs at many Sarasota venues.

She also volunteers to teach students music at several middle schools in Bradenton, Sarasota, Venice and Nokomis.

Unlike the start of her own musical career, in which she was pushed toward the clarinet, Jefferies said she enjoys helping students pick their instruments.

“There is so much that goes into it,” she said.

She began volunteering to teach music in retirement because she wanted to give back. “I love teaching the kids,” she said. “They learn discipline and how to work with others. They learn life skills.”

The reward for her is watching her students perform down the road.

“When I see them, I tear up,” she said. “I feel I have made a difference.”

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

Amber Creek Ryan Johnson, CRPC®

at Lakewood Ranch Senior Vice President Portfolio Management Director Financial Advisor

Jared Hermann, CRPC®, CRPS®

thebayfrontgroup@morganstanley.com

First Vice President Financial Advisor

Lyn Breda Vice President Financial Advisor

Jackie Rindner Senior Registered Client Service Associate

From L-R: Ryan, Jackie, Lyn, Jared

Source: Forbes.com (Jan 2023) 2023 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams ranking awarded in 2023. This ranking was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by The Bayfront Morgan Stanley SHOOK Research LLC (the Group researchatcompany) in partnership with Forbes (the publisher) during the period from 3/31/21 – 3/31/22. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its 2 North Trail, SteAdvisors 1100 Sarasota, FL 34236 Financial Advisors orTamiami Private Wealth paid a fee to SHOOK Research LLC for placement on its rankings. This ranking is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings 941-364-7402 to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations, and advisor.morganstanley.com/ the-bayfront-group quantitative criteria, including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK thebayfrontgroup@morganstanley.com Research LLC and this ranking may not be representative of any one client’s experience; investors must carefully choose the right Financial Advisor or team for their own situation and perform their own due diligence. This ranking is not indicative of the Financial Advisor’s future performance. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is not affiliated with SHOOK Research LLC or Forbes. For more information, see www.SHOOKresearch.com.

The Bayfront Group at Morgan Stanley Named one of Forbes’ Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams

Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at https://www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/ understandingyourrelationship.pdf

© 2023 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.

CRC5828607 10/23 CS 887187-3852183 10/23

As The Bayfront Group at Morgan Stanley, we devote the full talents and resources of our team to serve the needs of a limited number of clients.

Understanding you as a person and an investor allows us to help you reach and maintain your desired lifestyle through a comprehensive financial plan encompassing all aspects of your life. To learn more and to see why we were named one of Forbes’ Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams of 2024, contact us today.

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Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at https://www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationships.pdf Source: Forbes.com (Jan 2024) 2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams ranking awarded in 2024. This ranking was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by SHOOK Research LLC (the research company) in partnership with Forbes (the publisher) for the period from 3/31/22-3/31/23. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors paid a fee to SHOOK Research LLC, for placement on its rankings. This ranking is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each Financial Advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations, and quantitative criteria, including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms.

Investment performance is not a criterion. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research LLC and may not be representative of any one client’s experience; investors must carefully choose the right Financial Advisor or team for their own situation and perform their own due diligence. This ranking is not indicative of the Financial Advisor’s future performance. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is not affiliated with SHOOK Research LLC or Forbes. For more information, see www.SHOOKresearch.com.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

Courtesy image

AAWA benefit’s goal to unite people LESLEY DWYER

IF YOU GO

STAFF WRITER

T

422026-1

he way the dancers’ gracefully sway their arms toward the sky when performing the Carinosa is similar to Spanish dance movements, but Lake Club’s Maria Cora Gaffar said the folk dance was adapted in such a way that it is distinctly Filipino.

Gaffar is Filipino and the president of the American Asian Women’s Association.

The AAWA is hosting its annual Asian Ethnic Fashion/Talent Show and Luncheon at the University Park Country Club on Nov. 16.

Proceeds from the event benefit three local charities: Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center, the Food Bank of Manatee and the State College of Florida Foundation to fund scholarships.

The event raised over $15,000 this past year to split between the three nonprofits.

Cultural fashions and folk dances are also a way to showcase the different Asian cultures represented by the association’s members. However, being Asian is not a requirement to join the club or attend the show.

“This is not just for Asian women,” Gaffar said. “We’ll include anybody who’s interested in Asian culture. We want to have more members.”

The show will feature six dance numbers from Tibet, South Korea, India, Sri Lanka, Hawaii and the Carinosa from the Philippines.

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Gaffar will be wearing a “terno.”

The formal Filipino dress features sleeves that resemble butterfly wings. Sponsors at a wedding, which are akin to godparents, often wear ternos.

The buffet lunch will also be on theme with an Asian Fusion menu that features sticky rice with fresh mango and Thai sauce for dessert.

Gaffar said it’s a dish that everyone loves.

“There is so much emphasis on differences and not enough on how we can unite and overcome these differences and learn to understand and accept each other,” Gaffar said.

“That is the primary goal.”

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Custom Homes | West of Trail Homes | Waterfront Residences

HB Realty Group, Inc. | Licensed Real Estate Broker

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All designs are the property of Heritage Builders of West Florida, LLC. CBC1259307 Plans, pricing and specifications subject to change without notice. Renderings are artist’s conception and not intended to show specific detailing. Square footages are estimated and may vary in actual construction.

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Visit us at HeritageBuildersWFL.com or call (941) 328-8272

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

11A

READY TO MOVE BEYOND YOUR EXPECTATIONS?

Look No Further 8468 Lindrick Lane Laura Stavola

$6,395,000 941.447.4875

THE GULF COAST LUXURY LEADER

Scan below for a full list of Open Houses, property details, driving directions and more

LAKEWOOD RANCH 14728 Derna Terrace Stacy Rumbaugh

$2,175,000 941.592.6002

WATERSIDE VILLAGE 8172 Grande Shores Drive Rebecca Zimmerman

GATOR CREEK ESTATES 6301 South Gator Creek Boulevard $1,500,000 Elke von Oertzen 941.441.7073

LAKEWOOD RANCH COUNTRY CLUB 13853 Siena Loop Gloria Bracciano

$975,000 941.229.4000

BRADENTON 12209 Clubhouse Drive Lisa Morreale

THE LAKE CLUB

$2,099,000 941.224.4824

BOCA ROYALE 52 Grande Fairway Bob Linthicum

$1,349,900 941.228.9206

LAKEWOOD RANCH COUNTRY CLUB 7758 US Open Loop Sarah Harrington

7620 Club Lane Joel Schemmel

ARBOR LAKES ON PALMER RANCH $1,185,000 941.587.4894

5930 Anise Drive Janet Boyden

RIVERWALK VILLAGE

$945,000 941.915.2467

3924 Alamanda Drive Cindy Taliaferro

$2,999,000 941.961.5857

PRESTANCIA

MIRA LAGO $675,000 941.400.9038

17120 Verona Place Donna Soda

10803 Bullrush Terrace Joe Harris & Charles Totonis

$765,000 941.539.0974

THE MEADOWS 3125 Ringwood Meadow Fernando Viteri

LAKE VISTA RESIDENCES $545,000 941.894.7269

7718 Lake Vista Court #408 Kevin Milner

$525,000 941.539.3287

$995,000 770.595.8139

$749,000 941.400.7676

SARASOTA 6891 Approach Road #41 Roberta Tengerdy & Carolyn Collins

$425,000 941.321.2292

The Estates at TerraNova

offer an exquisite blend of expansive country estates, proximity to town centers and world-class equestrian competition. Over 1,000 acres of green pastures on Florida’s Gulf Coast, arranged into 5- to 20-acre estates, provide a serene natural setting for this luxury residential equestrian community. Whether you are a casual rider or a serious equestrian athlete, The Estates at TerraNova is the perfect place to call home.

31625 Clay Gully Road | Myakka City, Florida 34251

941.213.0014

BROKERAGE | RENTALS | RELOCATION | NEW DEVELOPMENT MORTGAGE | INSURANCE | FINE ART CONSIGNMENT

PremierSIR.com VENICE | 941.412.3323

LAKEWOOD RANCH | 941.907.9541

LONGBOAT KEY | 941.383.2500

RENTALS | 941.203.3433

Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Property information herein is derived from various sources including,but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate. Source: BrokerMetrics®.

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SARASOTA - DOWNTOWN | 941.364.4000

YourObserver.com

EYE ON BUSINESS

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Mote’s new Science, Education and Aquarium building is part of the view from PopStroke’s UTC mini-golf course.

PopStroke gets even cooler Fans and misters were installed on the mini-golf courses, along with a few other upgrades.

IF YOU GO

PopStroke, 195 University Town Center Drive. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and from 9 a.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

F

rom the groundbreaking to the grand opening, it typically takes under nine months to build a PopStroke.

When the dining and entertainment complex opened in University Town Center in 2022, it was only the third location. Today, there are 17 locations with another set to open at the end of the year in Palm Beach.

“One of the greatest things about PopStroke is that it appeals to everyone,” owner Greg Bartoli said

in an email. “That broad appeal is a huge part of our success. Everyone can have a great time here, regardless of age or skill level.”

Bartoli’s partner in PopStroke is Tiger Woods’ TGR Ventures. Part of the draw is that each course is designed by Woods and is unique to each location.

Another practice that Bartoli credits PopStroke’s popularity with is listening to its customers and adapting accordingly. People wanted to be cooler when putting

outside in the heat and humidity, so fans and misters were installed on the course at UTC, along with some aesthetic upgrades.

The two 18-hole mini-golf courses were returfed, and wood paneling was installed inside to give the location a more elevated feel, Vice President of Marketing Dylana Silver-O’Brien said.

The renovations took a month to complete, and staff worked around them versus closing and reopening.

One course stayed open, while the other’s turf was replaced. The front desk, where guests get their golf balls, temporarily moved to an outside trailer.

As the renovations wrapped up, a new membership program was rolled out.

Bartoli said guests had been asking for ways to “stay more connected and get even more out of the PopStroke experience.” Member-

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doesn’t want to lose sight of what makes PopStroke special.

“We’ve built PopStroke to foster those moments that get people to put their phones down, laugh, play and make memories together,” he said. “As we grow, we remain committed to providing an exceptional experience in every area, getting to know each community and adapting to what guests enjoy most.”

Outside of using the app to order and keep score, there are plenty of other ways to unplug at PopStroke.

Activities include ping pong, foosball and cornhole. There’s also a playground for little ones and a bar for the 21 and over crowd.

Even the ice cream parlor takes an extra step to appeal to all ages.

The menu includes “boozy shakes.”

The “Chocolate Peanut Butter Wasted” is blended with peanut butter whiskey, vanilla ice cream, Kahlua and chocolate syrup.

Silver-O’Brien said the most common misconception about PopStroke is that you need a golf pass to get in.

All those amenities, you can enjoy by just being here,” she said.

“You can just come to eat or drink and hang out.”

Each PopStroke is a little different from the rest, but Bartoli said the Sarasota location has been a “standout.”

“It’s a vibrant spot where we’ve seen people come back time and again for the golf, the atmosphere and the food,” he said.

Lakewood Ranch’s Jason Greenspan finishes up the hole with one last putt as his fiancee, Molly Nestleroad, looks on.

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VISIT OUR NEW

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ships are a way to provide “meaningful” benefits to PopStroke’s most loyal customers.

Jason Greenspan is an events coordinator at Nathan Benderson Park. He used to play golf, but now he and his fiancee, Molly Nestleroad, are content with mini golf.

Nestleroad had a margarita delivered to her on the course during a private event on Oct. 30.

Technology elevates the service and scorekeeping at PopStroke.

Guests can download the PopStroke app to have drinks delivered to any hole, order dinner in between holes and keep track of their scores.

A membership costs $25 a month, which is the same price as a day pass. However, a membership requires a three-month commitment. Benefits include unlimited mini-golf games using an upgraded TaylorMade Spider putter and discounts on food, drinks and events.

Greenspan said he’d consider a membership, especially because he works so close by. For now, SilverO’Brien said the memberships are only good at the Sarasota location.

Currently, there are eight PopStrokes in Florida. Bartoli lives in Jupiter, but the brand has also expanded outside of Florida, with locations in Alabama, South Carolina, Texas, Arizona and Nevada.

The company is actively scouting new markets across the United States. While being a national brand is the end goal, Bartoli

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3170 Bee Ridge Rd Sarasota, FL 34239 941-924-6614

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12A

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

13A

It’s Time to Give Your

MEDICARE COVERAGE A CHECKUP To help people with Medicare make informed decisions for the coming year, Sarasota Memorial offers this information about Medicare Open Enrollment, now taking place through December 7.

This year, Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7.

During this time, Medicare recipients can make changes to their health and prescription drug coverage, including:

 returning to Original Medicare (also known as Traditional Medicare)  joining a Medicare Advantage Plan or switching from one plan to another  joining or changing prescription drug plans Health and prescription drug plans can change from year to year, so it’s important to review your coverage during Open Enrollment to ensure it meets your needs.

Any changes made during Open Enrollment will go into effect on January 1, 2025.

ORIGINAL MEDICARE (“Traditional”) Sarasota Memorial and First Physicians Group (FPG) always accepts all Original Medicare and Medicare/Medigap Traditional supplemental plans.

Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C Plans) IN-NETWORK with Sarasota Memorial and FPG as of January 1, 2025.

 Aetna  Florida Blue  Florida Complete Care  Freedom Health*

 Optimum Healthcare*  Simply  UnitedHealthcare  Wellcare

*Note: These plans are in-network with SMH and FPG Specialists only

Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C Plans) OUT-OF-NETWORK with Sarasota Memorial and FPG as of January 1, 2025.

 Cigna Healthcare  Gold Kidney Health  Ultimate Health  Devoted Health  Humana If you have already made your Medicare selections for the coming year, you can make additional changes through December 7, 2024.

For assistance with health insurance issues, contact SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders), a free program offered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the local Area Agency on Aging. Specially trained volunteers can provide one-on-one counseling and information. Call 1-800-963-5337 or visit www.floridashine.org.

This information is not a solicitation and is not intended to persuade you to make any changes to your relationship with any health insurer.

For more information about insurance plans accepted by Sarasota Memorial, go to www.smh.com.

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For more information about insurance plans accepted by First Physicians Group, go to www.firstphysiciansgroup.com.

14A

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

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ADOPT DON’T SHOP

OPEN 7 DAYS 10am-6pm - 941-366-2424 | 2542 17th St., Sarasota, FL 34234 • www.catdepot.org Kelly’s legendary Roast Beef Sandwiches and Fresh New England Seafood.

Photo courtesy of Jacob Blickenstaff

Danielle Nicole will appear at the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival on Dec. 7.

Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival producer Paul Benjamin says everything has run smoothly for the Dec. 7 event.

MANAGING EDITOR

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usic producer Paul B e n ja m i n ow n s a timeshare on Treasure Island, so he was calling the area from his Maine home following Hurricanes Helene and Milton to check on his building.

After calling his Florida neighbors

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Blue skies ahead for inaugural festival

ER ER STOPP

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

“We are very much invested in the community, and into bringing arts to the community.”

— Erik Vatter, Sarasota-Manatee BOA President

to check on that property, he then made calls to Lakewood Ranch to check on the status of Waterside Place.

In March, Benjamin Productions, in conjunction with local music producer Independent Jones, announced it would host the inaugural Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival at Waterside Place on Dec. 7.

Independent Jones President Morgan Bettes Angell informed Benjamin everything was fine and any minor damage at Waterside Place had been cleaned up.

So it’s all systems go for the festival, which will feature Vanessa Collier, “Monster” Mike Welch, Dylan Triplett, Kat Riggins, Mitch Woods and his Rocket 88s, Melody Angel, and the Danielle Nicole Band.

Benjamin wasn’t the only one worried about Waterside Place and how it fared through the storms.

Blues fans from around the country who are planning to attend the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival were calling him to check on its status.

Also calling were members of two of the bands that will appear at the festival.

He said both fans and musicians are excited about the new venue, so they were hoping that everything was going forward.

He assured everyone that preparations are advancing smoothly for the concert, which is somewhat of a reincarnation of the Bradenton Blues Festival. Benjamin had been the artistic director of that one since 2012 but that festival ended its run last year.

“Starting a new festival always has its challenges,” Benjamin said.

“It’s a different location and you have to put the pieces together. But in this case, the location is a 100% improvement.”

Benjamin is a national figure

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VIP BRUNCH & HORSE SHOW SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17 GENERAL ADMISSION IS FREE! FOOD TRUCKS • TINY TOWN • SHOPPING

Reserve your ringside VIP table during The Event at TerraNova and enjoy..

• gourmet brunch • beer and wine • VIP parking • courtesty shuttles and the best views of international cross-country and show jumping featuring horses and riders from around the world!

LAKEWOOD RANCH BLUES FESTIVAL LINEUP DEC. 7 ■ Melody Angel, 10-11 a.m.

■ Dylan Triplett, 11:20 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.

10:30am - 3:00pm

■ Mitch Woods & His Rocket 88s, 12:40-1:45 p.m.

■ Kat Riggins, 2:05-3:10 p.m.

■ Monster Mike Welch, 3:304:40 p.m.

■ Vanessa Collier, 5 p.m.-6:10 p.m.

A short drive east of Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota!

www.TerraNovaEquestrian.com

■ Danielle Nicole Band, 6:307:40 p.m.

941-557-8014 | INFO@TERRANOVAEQUESTRIAN.COM 31625 Clay Gully Rd. Myakka City, FL 34251

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What: Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival Where: Waterside Park, 7301 Island Cove Terrace, Lakewood Ranch.

When: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 7 Tickets: $75 general admission and $150 VIP can be purchased at LakewoodRanchBluesFest. com.

WEST FLORIDA’S PREMIER POOL BUILDER

on the blues scene as a blues promoter, festival organizer and music producer. His North Atlantic Blues Festival has run for more than 30 years in Rockland, Maine, and features some of the nation’s top artists each year. Aside from his running and consulting on many blues festivals throughout the nation, he has established weekly shows such as the Monday Night Blues series at the Time Out Pub! in Rockland, Maine that have given blues artists a consistent place to launch their careers or showcase their talent.

Bettes Angell has set up parking shuttles from the Out-of-Door Academy parking lot and the Lakewood Ranch Baptist Church, which is next to ODA on Deer Drive to go along with 808 on-site parking spaces.

The festival received a boost when Bank of America took the role of major sponsor in August.

“We are very much invested in the community and into bringing arts to the community,” Sarasota-Manatee BOA President Erik Vatter said.

“This fits right into that goal. We also like that this festival is highlighting a lot of great businesses in Lakewood Ranch.

“And who doesn’t love the blues?”

Bettes Angell said having BOA come on board was almost like receiving a grant for the festival. She said it adds validity to the effort.

Benjamin and Bettes Angell expect attendance for the inaugural event to be above 1,500 people and Bettes Angell noted that the park could hold about 5,000 as the festival grows.

General admission tickets are $75. Special, in front of the stage tickets are $150. But out of the 150 tickets in front, only 35 remain.

Tickets can be purchased at LakewoodRanchBluesFest.com.

433658-1

IF YOU GO

15A

Veterans Day

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For further information contact Gail: Ardy@ dioceseofvenice.org | 941-484-9543

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

BUSY BEE TUTORING Tutoring Grades K-College General Education & Special Needs

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16A

NOVEMBER 7, 2024

SPORTS IF YOU GO The Event at TerraNova is three days of competition, Nov. 15-17, at the TerraNova Equestrian Center, 31625 Clay Gully Road, in Myakka City. Starting and finishing times vary.

General admission tickets and parking are free. Spots for campers can be reserved. Bring your own camper (50 amp hookups); rentals from Southwest Florida Camping Rentals are also available.

A VIP brunch experience (10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.) includes preferred parking, ringside seating, panoramic competition views in the VIP pavilion, nonalcoholic beverages, beer and wine, and a catered brunch. Single tickets are $125, with special pricing for groups.

Empty Bowls event tickets are $35 Food trucks will be on site.

A limited number of golf carts will also be available for rental.

Parking lot shuttles will be available.

The pavilion is wheelchair accessible.

home a keepsake ceramic bowl. Tickets for Empty Bowls are $35 and can be purchased online or at the event.

File photos

Lucienne Bellissimo of Great Britain and Tremanton led going into the final show jumping discipline of the 2023 Event at TerraNova, but finished second.

World-class riders head for TerraNova Some of the world’s best riders are slated to compete at the Myakka equestrian facility from Nov. 15-17.

JIM DELA DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCER

M

ore than 300 competitors — including at least five Olympians — are set to saddle up at a worldclass international equestrian event Nov. 15-17 at the TerraNova Equestrian Center in Myakka City.

Dubbed “The Event at TerraNova,” the competition will consist of three different events over three days, designed to test both horses’ and riders’ stamina and precision.

The competition is also divided by skill categories, from Intro and Beginner Novice, to Olympic caliber riders, said Ruby Tevis, TerraNova’s marketing and communications director.

“It’s based on experience,” she said. “You start at your most basic level, which is called starter, and it goes up all the way up to four-star level, which is the highest level we offer. And that’s the level that you will see in the Olympic Games.”

Tevis says some of the best riders in the world will be on display. “We have the United States, Great Britain and Canada represented for Olympic athletes, and then countless Pan American World Championships riders as well,” she said.

This is the fourth fall Event at TerraNova, a 225-acre event site designed to be a go-to spot for all levels of equestrian competition.

WHAT IS EVENTING?

The sport of eventing originated as a cavalry test. The three-day competition is divided into three separate sets of challenges. “It’s similar to a triathlon. You’re going to have the same horse and rider competing in three different phases over the course of three days,” Tevis said.

The three components of eventing are: Dressage. The first day is devoted to dressage, where the horse demonstrates obedience, flexibility and balance. The word is from the French term for “training.”

At predetermined areas in the arena, the rider and the horse must per-

form specific movements. “Depending on how well that horse and rider can perform that movement to the standard, that’s how they’re judged,” Tevis explained.

Each movement is scored by a judge on a scale of 0-10. A rider subtly communicates with his horse by using his legs, seat and reins. “It’s almost invisible,” Tevis said. “That’s what the judge is looking for; that harmony, that communication.”

Along with earning marks for the dressage movements, judges also look for more general attributes such as the horse’s gaits, submission, impulses and the rider’s performance, according to the United States Dressage Federation.

Cross-country. The second leg of The Event is held on open ground and a cross-country course can be anywhere from 3,800 to 6,270 meters long.

The course at TerraNova was designed by Olympic gold medalist Mark Phillips. It’s designed to mimic conditions as if the competitors were on a hunt, Tevis said. “We have water features, mounds, and they’re going to experience large obstacles.”

The goal is to complete the course within a time limit without penalties, and jump or pass all obstacles in the proper order. Penalties are given for refusing, circling, or running out of an obstacle, or for going too fast or too slow.

Show jumping. On the final day, the competition returns to the arena for show jumping, where a horse and rider navigate a closed course of obstacles of various heights and lengths in a timed competition.

The goal is to complete the course without knocking down any obstacles within the time limit. Like cross country, riders receive penalties, called faults, if they knock down an obstacle, refuse to jump, or go over the time limit.

The competitor with the fewest faults and fastest time wins.

WHAT MAKES A CHAMPION?

Like any sport, how successful you are depends on how much work you put in, said Madison Bonamarte, the

director of stable operations and programs at TerraNova.

Having a good foundation is key.

“If you put the foundation work in, by the time you get to the upper levels, it’s all easy,” she said. “I think that’s the biggest and most important thing … having a good foundation and fitness.”

Bonamarte says equestrian events can see many breeds of horses, though many are thoroughbred or warmbloods, a cross-breed between a high-spirited horse such as an Arabian, and a heavier draft horse.

“I’ve always competed on thoroughbreds my entire life because I got them off the track and I introduced them to eventing, and they’d be rock stars,” she said.

“Most people nowadays are riding the warmbloods because they score better in the dressage, and they’re still talented enough to do the jumping.”

She has three students competing at The Event, in the lowest level category. “It’s kind of fun because before they started taking lessons with me, they didn’t know anything about eventing, so I’m really excited for them.”

When training riders, Bonamarte says she stresses the partnership of the horse and rider. “I really instill that in the young riders who have aspirations to do the higher levels.”

Bonamarte wants them to remember “why we do the sport and the love that we have for the horses.”

In the end, rider and horse are a team. “It’s the heart of the horse and the connection between the horse and rider,” she said. “When a horse fully trusts you, there’s no obstacle on cross-country that they’re going to say no to.”

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

TerraNova needs volunteers to work the event and they will be raising money for charity by just showing up.

Volunteers’ hours will be tracked and for every volunteer hour worked, $20 will be donated to The Azinger Family Compassion Center, a multipurpose donation and distribution center that provides life-changing resources for foster children, hungry children, trafficked children, single moms and struggling families from the surrounding community.

It takes a lot of volunteers to put on this event, Tevis said. “It is an army of people. We have amazing volunteers, and we need more volunteers,” she said.

No equestrian experience is necessary.

“We see an influx of thousands of people, and they don’t know where to park, they don’t know where to go,” Tevis said.

To volunteer, sign up online.

“We’ve had a busy summer to prepare for the upcoming season, and it is so rewarding to see everyone’s hard work take shape,” TerraNova President Molly Oakman said.

“With the recent hurricanes, TerraNova was able to open its doors to horses in need of evacuation stabling, but now we are ready to fill our barns with competitors and get back to what we love to do — hosting equestrian competition.”

TerraNova has additional events scheduled most weekends from January to May, including the addition of Combined Driving in January and Para-Dressage in May, along with five uninterrupted weeks of Show Jumping in February and March.

“With the recent hurricanes, TerraNova was able to open its doors to horses in need of evacuation stabling, but now we are ready to fill our barns with competitors and get back to what we love to do — hosting equestrian competition.”

— Molly Oakman

GIVING BACK

The TerraNova Equestrian Center will host a special Empty Bowls event during the competition on Saturday, Nov. 16, to benefit the Food Bank of Manatee, which is part of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee.

Guests will enjoy a lunch of soup, salad, bread, and desserts provided by local restaurants including Taverna Toscana, ATRIA Cafe, Myakka City Grill, Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi, as well as several other familiar favorites.

Donors will also be able to take

Waylon Roberts, of Canada, rides Fernhill Salt Lake as they change speeds while approaching a jump during the 2023 Event at TerraNova in Myakka City.

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

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Classifieds 15B Games 14B Real Estate 11B Weather 14B

NOVEMBER 7, 2024

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Sarasota’s Heather Deyrieux and Lauren Ursone sip on a Spanish red wine.

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Jennifer Allen and Dana Weppner pour wine for the Signature Wine Room.

Foodies flock to Premier

Lakewood Ranch’s Kelli Martinez and Adrian Tolentino recommend the tuna tartare from Post Kitchen & Bar.

P

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ascone’s Ristorante chef William Sellner said an authentic Italian pomodoro sauce only requires six ingredients: good tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, basil, salt and pepper.

The chef was offering cooking tips to a crowd of foodies at the 22nd Suncoast Food & Wine Fest on Nov. 2 at the Premier Sports Campus. The fundraiser is organized by the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch.

Sellner said Italians use a lot of olive oil when making pomodoro sauce because it acts as an emulsifier. If the texture or consistency of the sauce is off, it’s most likely a lack of oil.

“At the restaurant, on average, we probably use 24 gallons of olive oil a week,” Sellner said. “Most people in this country never, ever add enough olive oil.”

While the chef talked about sauce, he demonstrated how to make a stew. The audience was then treated to a taste of the chef’s veal spezzatino.

The gates opened an hour early for VIP ticket holders, so Lakewood Ranch Country Club residents Michele Campbell and Blythe Hanson were among the first guests to arrive.

The friends have been attending the festival together for five years. This is the first year they splurged on VIP tickets, and it won’t be the last.

With more than 30 local restaurants dishing up samples, Campbell likes finding

Kay LaRue is visiting Lakewood Ranch from Pittsburgh and deciding between bread pudding and tiramisu.

Camille Perkins offers guests a choice between white chicken chili and chicken meatballs from Big Top Brewing.

new places to eat in the area.

“It is such a lovely venue,” Hanson said of the Premier Sports Campus. “And it’s supporting the Rotary, which does such amazing work in our community.”

— LESLEY DWYER

Lakewood Ranch’s Carol Stephens and Jennifer Edmonson are about to sample a French rosé.

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

Fun for the kiddies

A

lthough East County’s Jessica McCord dressed up like Elastigirl from “The Incredibles” during the Kiddie Academy Halloween parade on Oct. 31, she wasn’t about to fool Woody or the Princess.

McCord’s kids — her son, Emmett, was Woody and her daughter, Jade, was a princess — quickly noticed their mom was handing out candy during the trunk or treat portion of the event. Like several other parents who were dressed in costume while handing out candy, their little ones didn’t want to leave mom or dad to get back into line.

Even so, after a kiss and a hug, it was back to the parade route for the kids.

Kiddie Academy hosted the event following the school day on Halloween, releasing the kids one class at a time to show off their costumes.

Photos by Jay Heater

Flynn DeSoe, Anthony Marini, Nolan Koepsel and Liam Lazek lead their class during the start of the Kiddie Academy Halloween parade.

Fellow students had to be green with envy over Apollo Truman’s costume during the Kiddie Academy Halloween parade.

— JAY HEATER

Jessica McCord visits with Kiddie Academy students Emmett Ramirez and Zara Morales during the Halloween parade.

Sophia Marchena, a B.D. Gullett Elementary student, helps Lakewood Ranch’s Hailey Hodges hand out candy from a plastic pool during the Kiddie Academy Halloween parade.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

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Teagan Biggs shows off her costume during the Kiddie Academy Halloween parade.

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

Wheels keep turning for St. Jude

T

he sixth annual Knights of Columbus Car Show on Nov. 2 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Lakewood Ranch was more about stories than cars.

The approximately 120 cars that decorated the parking lot at the church were a conversation starter, and then the stories flowed.

All the proceeds benefitted St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

A fun story was told by East County’s Arthur Matney, who was showing his 2020 C8 Corvette that has a 6.2-liter V-8 engine that produces 490 horsepower.

Matney was asked how fast he had driven his prized car. He said he had gotten it up to 125 in the middle of the night on a deserted central Florida highway. Matney laughed and said there were no witnesses. Then he launched into a story.

“I was driving one day when a police officer drove up alongside me,” said Matney, who figured he might be in trouble. “Then the cop gave me the thumbs up.”

Mike Mahan of the Knights of Columbus said the best story has to do with their donation to St. Jude. Last year it was $15,000.

— JAY HEATER

Photos by Jay Heater

Palmetto’s Kelvin Etchison stands next to the distinctive fins of his 1959 Cadillac Deville at the Knights Car Show.

Food & Wine Tasting Event You Will Never Have So Much Fun Doing So Much Good!

Lakewood Ranch’s Elliot Labanauskas, 16 months, might be showing cars of his own in the future, such as Carl Oberg’s 1972 Corvette. He was visiting the Knights of Columbus Car Show on Nov. 2 with his parents, Alexandra and Lukas Labanauskas.

SARASOTA MEMORIAL PRESENTS

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE & RELATED DEMENTIAS As our bodies age, so do our brains. Join us for this special lecture event and learn to identify the signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia, to distinguish between normal aging and dementia-related memory loss, and how to communicate effectively with those living with these conditions. A brief Q&A will follow the presentation.

Wednesday, Nov. 20th 4:30 - 5:30pm Danielle Valery, BS, CDP Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Dementias: An Overview of Cognitive Changes

We Had Another Great Event This Year

SMH-SARASOTA

Thanks To Everyone Who Helped Make It A Success

Be Sure To Join Us Next Year For A Fun Time!

This is a FREE LECTURE SERIES with FREE VALET PARKING at main hospital entrance.

Light refreshments served. RSVP required.

Reserve your space by phone at (941) 917-7777 or online at smh.com/lectures.

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Sarasota Memorial Hospital Auditorium - First Floor 1700 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34239

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

5B

Braden Woods’ Steve Aiena “completely rebuilt” his 1937 Ford, which he has owned for 18 years.

Lakewood Ranch’s Chris Carnevale stands in front of his 1965 Corvette Stingray he was showing at the Knights Car Show.

END YOUR YEAR

CELEBRATING WITH AN ALLIANCE

Bradenton’s Pete Tolhurst sits behind the wheel of a 1964 Corvette. He bought the car in 1979.

MEMBERSHIP!

Next year the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance turns 20 and for 20 years the Alliance has provided unparalleled access to business connections, resources, and advocacy. Help us continue to spread that mission and celebrate 20 years of connecting the business community by joining the Alliance!

BRINGING OLD WORLD CHARM TO FLORIDA SHORES

Contact TimEstep@LWRBA.org for more information.

DecEMBER 4th - 8th, 2024 Enjoyculinary delights, unique treasures, captivating performances, and festive music.

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

Bank OZK’s Jose Lescano and Fifth Third Bank’s Ernesto Izquierdo make connections at the Hob Nob, which had approximately 400 attendees.

Photos by Liz Ramos

Young Leaders Alliance members Janeth Gonzalez, Kristie Calandro, Jordan Sebastiano and Sierra Nunn pass out popcorn to Hob Nob guests.

Hobnobbing at the library

L

indsay McSweeney with the Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library sat alongside librarians Fiorella Colacci and Hayley Rigatti to provide information to a special group.

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance was hosting its Hob Nob BBQ on Oct. 30 at the library.

“Some people didn’t know the library was here or have been in it,” McSweeney said. “It’s been a great opportunity to learn about the library.”

It was one of the side benefits of the Hob Nob, which serves as a fun, but important, networking event.

Approximately 400 people attended the 35th annual Hob Nob,

Rachel Forsyth, with 1-800 Packouts, and Amplify Communications Consulting’s Kristen Theisen dress for the occasion.

Heather Koester and Jacquie Johns, with Invigorate Nexus, connect with others in the business community at the Hob Nob.

which LWRBA President and CEO Brittany Lamont said generated funds for hurricane relief.

The LWRBA took over the Hob Nob from the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. this past year.

Approximately 20 businesses showcased their services during the western-themed event, which featured live music, food and drinks.

“We wanted to help people feel a sense of getting back to normal,” Lamont said. “We wanted to come together while also supporting businesses that were impacted by the hurricane, especially on the island.”

Jamie Kahns and Bob Kahns with Bank of America and Tim Estep, manager of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, get into the western theme for the alliance’s Hob Nob.

— LIZ RAMOS

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

7B

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ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS REFERENCE SHOULD BE MADE TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. ALL RENDERINGS AND PLANS ARE PROPOSED CONCEPTS SHOWN ONLY FOR MARKETING PURPOSES AND ARE BASED ON THE DEVELOPER’S CURRENT PRELIMINARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN. DEVELOPER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY, REVISE OR WITHDRAW THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT PLAN IN DEVELOPER’S SOLE DISCRETION WITHOUT NOTICE. NOTHING HEREIN OR IN ANY OTHER COMMUNICATION SHALL BE DEEMED TO OBLIGATE THE DEVELOPER, OR ANY AFFILIATE OF DEVELOPER, TO CONSTRUCT THE PROJECT OR OFFER ANY OF THE PROJECT FOR SALE, AND NOTHING HEREIN SHALL BE DEEMED A GUARANTY OF ANY KIND. THIS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SALE OR SOLICITATION OF OFFERS TO BUY.

8B

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YOUR CALENDAR

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

COMMUNITY THURSDAY, NOV. 7 THROUGH SUNDAY, NOV. 10

LIVE MUSIC AT JIGGS LANDING Runs from 4-7 p.m. each day at Jiggs Landing, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton. The live music lineup at Jiggs Landing includes Steve Arvey (Thursday), Soundwave (Friday), Blue Grass Pirates (Saturday) and Zooey (Sunday). The Friday and Saturday concerts are $5; the others are free. For more information, go to JiggsLanding.com.

FRIDAY, NOV. 8

MOVIE IN THE PARK Runs from 6-9 p.m. at Waterside Park, 7301 Island Cove Terrace, Lakewood Ranch. The free family friendly movie series continues with a showing of “Inside Out.” The movie begins approximately at sunset. The event is sponsored by Grace Community Church, which will hand out one Chick-fil-A sandwich to the first 300 attendees. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Bring a blanket and/or lawn chairs.

Concessions available from We B’ Poppin Popcorn and Kettle Corn. Inflatables for the kids will be available from 6-7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, NOV. 8 AND SATURDAY, NOV. 9

MUSIC AT THE PLAZA Runs 6-9 p.m. at Waterside Place, 1560 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. Singer/songwriter Matt Gerhardt will entertain those strolling through Waterside Place on Friday night while singer/musician Sheri Nadelman will perform on Saturday.

For more information about the free music series, go to WatersidePlace. com.

SATURDAY, NOV. 9 AND SUNDAY, NOV. 10

LINGER LODGE MUSIC Runs Saturday from 6-9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. at Linger Lodge Restaurant, 7205 85th St. Court E., Bradenton. Live, free music at Linger Lodge restaurant includes the Brooke Hargrove on Saturday and Scotty Yates on Sunday. For more information, call 755-2757

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE

BEST BET THURSDAY, NOV. 7

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!

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS Begins at 7 p.m. at Waterside Place, 1560 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. The free Sights and Sounds arts series continues with Strings Con Brio presenting “A Salute To Veterans” concert. Strings Con Brio Conductor Kenneth Bowermeister leads a concert of American music throughout history in honor of veterans. Patrons will hear music they know and love, including titles from the American Civil War and the 1940s dance music of the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Strings Con Brio will perform all of the familiar armed forces signature songs as well as “God Bless America” and “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Limited seating is available, so please bring a lawn chair. No outside food or drinks permitted.

SATURDAY, NOV. 9 THROUGH MONDAY, NOV. 11

MEDIEVAL FAIR Runs 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Woods of Mallaranny, 29847 S.R. 70, Myakka City. The Sarasota Medieval Fair continues its 2024 run, which continues every Saturday and Sunday in November, along with Veterans Day. A wide range of family friendly activities include jousting and human chess performances, fun food (including the classic turkey legs), a children’s realm area, local artisans and craft demonstrations, rides and games, and vendors. Tickets are available online at SarasotaMedievalFair.com.

SUNDAY, NOV. 10

FARMERS MARKET Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Lakefront Drive in Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch. The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch, which was voted as the top farmers market in Florida for the second year in a row, will run year-round every Sunday.

Vendors will be offering seafood, eggs, meats, dairy products, pastas, bakery goods, jams and pickles, among other items. Other features are children’s activities and live music. For more information, visit MyLWR.com.

OVER THE HUMP DAY WITH THE OBSERVER: Stephanie Boehning took the East County Observer on a two-hump camel ride while visiting the Gobi Desert in Mongolia.

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

9B

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BRADENTON (941) 667-2574

10B

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

LAKEWOOD RANCH 19443 Newlane Place 4 Beds 4 Baths 4,020 Sq. Ft. Tina Ciaccio 941-685-8420 A4626436 $3,595,000

SARASOTA 8040 Waterbend Trail 3 Beds 3 Baths 3,138 Sq. Ft. Victoria Turner 662-614-2783 A4626641 $1,805,000

BRADENTON 7301 221st Street E 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,872 Sq. Ft. Ray Rausa 941-228-7614 A4625350 $1,250,000

BRADENTON 13614 Swiftwater Way 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,107 Sq. Ft. Christopher Van Vliet & Jamie Van Vliet 941-993-7087 A4624696 $1,049,000

PARRISH 15923 29th Street E 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,972 Sq. Ft. Diane Fogo Harter 941-445-2431 A4620370 $899,900

BRADENTON 14730 1st Avenue E 5 Beds 3 Baths 2,955 Sq. Ft. Angela Adams 941-809-9760 A4621980 $865,000

BRADENTON 815 128th Street Ne 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,634 Sq. Ft. Peggy Wellman & Robert Moffatt 941-374-0811 A4617983 $749,900

LAKEWOOD RANCH 6527 Moorings Point Circle 101 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,983 Sq. Ft. Marci McFarland 941-961-3390 A4626461 $725,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 6438 Watercrest Way 204 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,134 Sq. Ft. Carol Stewart 941-290-9150 A4614255 $724,900

BRADENTON 5111 51st Lane W 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,163 Sq. Ft. Leah Secondo 941-545-4430 A4622923 $685,000

BRADENTON 17571 Cantarina Cove 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,838 Sq. Ft. Stephanie Annable 941-376-4100 A4618943 $640,000

PARRISH 5715 99th Avenue Circle E 4 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,736 Sq. Ft. Chris Baylis 941-735-4713 A4622585 $625,000

BRADENTON 4914 Savona Run 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,684 Sq. Ft. Kim Ogilvie 941-376-1717 A4613271 $595,000

PARRISH 10710 Falling Leaf Court 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,110 Sq. Ft. Stacy Haas 941-587-4359 A4621759 $559,000

BRADENTON 4010 18th Avenue W 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,773 Sq. Ft. Judy LaValliere 941-504-3792 A4621489 $547,999

BRADENTON 10720 Klee Avenue 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,575 Sq. Ft. Cheryl Roberts 941-266-1450 A4626617 $479,900

LAKEWOOD RANCH 5114 60th Drive E 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,698 Sq. Ft. Richard Hearn 941-313-1591 A4626338 $465,000

PALMETTO 4420 Hearthstone Run 5 Beds 3 Baths 2,605 Sq. Ft. Diane Fogo Harter 941-445-2431 A4618669 $445,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 6251 Cassia Street 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,434 Sq. Ft. Blair Schrock 970-666-1240 A4611633 $437,900

PARRISH 14611 Barefoot Lane 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,525 Sq. Ft. Laura Naese 941-350-3657 A4626400 $415,899

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7107 Boca Grove Place 201 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,552 Sq. Ft. Laura Navratil 941-806-7436 A4626609 $399,900

LAKEWOOD RANCH 6320 Rosefinch Court 102 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,691 Sq. Ft. Barbara A Milian, PA 941-504-0660 A4607902 $328,500

BRADENTON 6509 Grand Estuary Trail 203 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,156 Sq. Ft. Mark Boehmig 941-807-6936 A4600320 $305,000

BRADENTON 1007 27th Street Court E 3 Beds 1 Baths 864 Sq. Ft. Gregory Zies 941-779-3081 A4626394 $280,000

BRADENTON 122 Wild Palm Drive 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,408 Sq. Ft. Gregory Zies 941-779-3081 A4619652 $270,000

PARRISH 11432 Harbourside Lane 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,355 Sq. Ft. Sandi Dietrich 941-704-0697 A4608564 $2,250,000

BRADENTON 5911 Redbay Boulevard 3 Beds 4 Baths 3,784 Sq. Ft. Adam Cuffaro 941-812-0791 A4625485 $1,999,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM 427570-1

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7478 Seacroft Cove 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 3,592 Sq. Ft. Tina Ciaccio 941-685-8420 A4625387 $2,695,000

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

REAL ESTATE

Country Club home tops sales at $2.4 million

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

OCT. 21-25

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

LAKEHOUSE COVE AT WATERSIDE

Bruce Elliott Sorensen and Tiffany Dawn Sorensen, of Sarasota, sold their home at 7961 Mainsail Lane to Eric Klonowski, of Sarasota, for $1,635,000. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,502 square feet of living area. It sold for $961,500 in 2022.

Lesley Dwyer

This Country Club home at 13603 Blythefield Terrace sold for $2.4 million. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 5,814 square feet of living area.

Beach, New York, sold her home at 17523 Polo Trail to Siddharth and Anupama Aneja, of Bradenton, for $906,000. Built in 2022, it has six bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,520 square feet of living area. It sold for $720,000 in 2022.

WOODLEAF HAMMOCK

B.J. and Shirley Kingdon, trustees, of Jamestown, North Carolina, sold the home at 5820 Mulligan Way to Douglas Mihelick and Karen Tooley, trustees, for $1.35 million. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,647 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.3 million in 2023.

Gregory Madison Taylor and Jenna Taylor, trustees, of St. Petersburg, sold the home at 2217 Woodleaf Hammock Court to Mark Andrew Thacker, and Rhonda Pafford Thacker, of Bradenton, for $875,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,639 square feet of living area.

It sold for $574,300 in 2020.

GROSVENOR GARDENS

KENWOOD PARK

LAKEWOOD NATIONAL

Vincent Tonna and Robin Tonna, trustees, of Ontario, Canada, sold the home at 8419 Grosvenor Court to Donald Harrison Snively and Pamela Lynn Fowler, of Ontario, Canada, for $1.3 million. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,917 square feet of living area. It sold for $274,800 in 2015.

Howard Alan Kolk and Bonnie Kolk sold their home at 5719 Arnie Loop to Ann and Sean Mcconnon, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, for $1.15 million. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,840 square feet of living area. It sold for $720,000 in 2019.

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

Dario and Linda Stucchi, trustees, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, sold the home at 16616 Collingtree Crossing to Michelle Brown and Kimberly Skiba, of Rexford, New York, for $1,025,000. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, two-and-ahalf baths, a pool and 2,941 square feet of living area.

Samuel Paul Guerrero and Katherine Elizabeth Guerrero, of Palmetto, sold their home at 7123 Whittlebury Trail to Tony Jei-Ling and Shu Chen Su, of Bradenton, for $855,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,443 square feet of living area. It sold for $518,000 in 2020.

EDGEWATER

Ting-Fang Zheng and Su-Hua Men, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 6585 Waters Edge Way to Jacob Dunn, Dimitra Dunn, John Milan and Elizabeth Milan, of Lakewood Ranch, for $920,000. Built in 1997, it has three bedrooms, twoand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,461 square feet of living area. It sold for $370,000 in 2013.

Christopher Jorgensen and Jody Jorgensen, trustees, and June Jorgensen, of Sarasota, sold the home at 8343 Whispering Woods Court to Fred Reimer, of Boca Raton, for $475,000. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,644 square feet of living area. It sold for $189,300 in 1999.

POLO RUN

Dina Murphy, of Westhampton

Susan Hesse, trustee, of White Post, Virginia, sold the home at 8330 Abingdon Court to Marina Solo, of Lakewood Ranch, for $775,000. Built in 2005, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,620 square feet of living area.

SUMMERFIELD

of Bradenton, for $575,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,116 square feet of living area. It sold for $390,000 in 2021.

STONEYBROOK AT HERITAGE HARBOUR

Patricia Mulcahy, of Brookfield, Connecticut, sold the home at 8933 Brookfield Terrace to Alfredo Antonio Isaias, of Doral, for $569,000.

Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,332 square feet of living area. It sold for $490,000 in 2021.

lie Nicole Alagna, of Catonsville, Maryland, sold their home at 5735 Arbor Wood Court to Michael and Rosemarie Stevens, of Bradenton, for $565,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,588 square feet of living area. It sold for $600,000 in 2022.

COPPERLEFE

Michael Paul Warner and Lindsay Anne Warner, of Stephenville, Texas, sold their home at 11547 Sweetgrass Drive to Roseanne Caputo, of Bradenton, for $545,000. Built in

ARBOR RESERVE

David Joseph Alagna Jr. and Kel-

SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 12B

In with the new NOW TAKING CONTRACTS

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

John Robert White and Cynthia Debari White, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 12210 Clubhouse Drive to Christopher and Amy Fehr, of Lakewood Ranch, for $750,000.

Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,332 square feet of living area. It sold for $392,500 in 2016.

Christine Aristizabal sold her home at 11829 Winding Woods Way to Daniel Ferrell and Rosalie Soberano, of Barclay, Maryland, for $440,000.

Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,871 square feet of living area. It sold for $290,000 in 2020.

INDIGO

Laurie Jo DeLoach, of Lakewood Ranch, sold her home at 13307 Deep Blue Place to Arthur Anthanasios Foutsitzis and Stavroula Pappas Foutsitzis, of Bradenton, for $715,000. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,460 square feet of living area.

It sold for $519,100 in 2021.

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MOVE-IN SPRING 2024

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

GOLDEN GATE POINT

LONGBOAT KEY

BRADEN PINES

Michael Cormac McConnaghy and Nicole Marie Canada, trustees, of Lakeland, sold the home at 10612 Forest Run Drive to Karima Mesbahi and Abdelaziz Katibi, of Bradenton, for $600,000. Built in 1981, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,884 square feet of living area.

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

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

RIVA TRACE

Anthony Santelli, of Lakewood Ranch, sold the home at 7808 Rio Bella Place to Vasyl and Regina Vasko, of Sarasota, for $580,000. Built in 2014, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,911 square feet of living area. It sold for $415,000 in 2019.

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

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

CARRIAGE RUN AT UNIVERSITY PLACE

Silvia Golueke, of Sarasota, sold her home at 7447 Sea Island Lane to Robert and Dolores Schmelzer,

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

427674-1

home in Country Club topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. David Lewis Maraman and Brenda Toler Maraman, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 13603 Blythefield Terrace to Steven Gerhardt and Laurie Beth Gerhardt, of Lakewood Ranch, for $2.4 million.

Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 5,814 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.2 million in 2010.

11B

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

Real estate 2018, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,546 square feet of living area. It sold for $348,800 in 2018.

Teresa Benedict, of Bradenton, sold the home at 111 San Lorenzo Court to Duncan Rodman and Brianna Valenti, of Bradenton, for $420,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,512 square feet of living area. It sold for $350,000 in 2021.

GLENBROOKE

HARMONY

FROM PAGE 11B

ST. BARBARA PHILOPTOCHOS

2024 Autumn Food Fest...

A women’s Philanthropic Organization

GREEK STYLE!

Austin and Mckenzie Stump sold their home at 4633 Glenbrooke Drive to Grace McCabe and Joanne Windus, of Sarasota, for $515,000.

Built in 1986, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,665 square feet of living area. It sold for $283,300 in 2019.

Friday & Saturday November 15th & 16th Noon till 7pm

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We are a non-profit organization and all proceeds to benefit our National and Local Charities

RIVERS EDGE

BACCIANO AT ESPLANADE

MANDALAY

GREENBROOK

VERANDA AT LAKEWOOD NATIONAL

Joseph and Abigail Doyle, of Columbus, Ohio, sold their home at 6352 Golden Eye Glen to James and Sharon Gross, of Lakewood Ranch, for $465,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,034 square feet of living area. It sold for $294,000 in 2017.

Programs

Maxwell and Deanna Stewart, of Greer, South Carolina, sold their home at 6326 Golden Eye Glen to Irina and Joshua Dumitrescu, of Lakewood Ranch, for $441,000.

Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,073 square feet of living area. It sold for $295,000 in 2018.

BRADEN RIVER LAKES

EHB of Tampa Bay Inc., trustee, sold the home at 711 49th St. E. to Enkela Xhelilaj and Meleq Jazaj, of Bradenton, for $440,000. Built in 1988, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,593 square feet of living area. It sold for $245,000 in February.

David Moody, trustee, of Bradenton, sold the home at 905 48th St. Circle E. to Steven and Angela Sylvester, of Bradenton, for $385,000.

Built in 1991, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,757 square feet of living area.

LEARN MORE HERE >

Donald and Kathleen Borsos, of Bradenton, sold their home at 6526 68th St. E. to James Patrick Troxal and Rebecca Sue Troxal, of Bradenton, for $390,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,618 square feet of living area. It sold for $237,000 in 2014.

Mazen and Jumana Al-Bataineh, of Bradenton, sold their home at 6136 46th St. E. to Laith Ismail and Ashraf Ismail, of Bradenton, for $379,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,290 square feet of living area. It sold for $420,000 in 2005.

Jocelyn Udell, of Bradenton, sold her Unit 812 condominium at 5527 Palmer Circle to Robert Gray, of Bradenton, for $370,000. Built in 2018, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,329 square feet of living area. It sold for $222,000 in 2018.

TOWNHOMES AT REGATTA LANDING

JG STR LLC sold the home at 7253 Ketch Place to Richard Wille and Jordan Constantine, of Bradenton, for $320,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,968 square feet of living area. It sold for $215,000 in 2018.

TERRACE AT LAKEWOOD NATIONAL

Ross Overstreet sold his Unit 1044 condominium at 17626 Gawthrop Drive to Meghan and Michael Wald, of Bradenton, for $307,500. Built in 2020, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,121 square feet of living area. It sold for $198,500 in 2020.

ONLINE See more transactions at YourObserver.com

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Christian Martin Fulda and Gina Schilleci Fulda, of Sarasota, sold their home at 5532 Coachwood Cove to Albert Joseph Persampiere and Meghan Griffin, of Bradenton, for $420,000. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,904 square feet of living area.

It sold for $438,700 in 2022.

Jeffrey Nuckols, trustee, of Lakewood Ranch, sold the Unit 202 condominium at 6330 Watercrest Way to John Robert White and Cynthia DeBari White, of Lakewood Ranch, for $499,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,742 square feet of living area.

It sold for $330,000 in 2017.

Matthew Ryan and Lisa Pillitteri Ryan, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, sold their Unit 202 condominium at 13822 Messina Loop to Patrick Reilly, of Bradenton, for $480,000.

Built in 2021, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,528 square feet of living area. It sold for $266,900 in 2021.

Over 50

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WEATHER

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST THURSDAY, NOV. 7

SUNRISE / SUNSET Sunrise Sunset

High: 83 Low: 73 Chance of rain: 59%

FRIDAY, NOV. 8 High: 86 Low: 70 Chance of rain: 17%

Thursday,Nov. 7

6:44a

5:41p

Friday, Nov. 8

6:45a

5:40p

Saturday, Nov. 9

6:46a

5:40p

Sunday, Nov. 10

6:47a

5:39p

Monday, Nov. 11

6:47a

5:39p

Tuesday, Nov. 12

6:48a

5:38p

Wednesday, Nov. 13

6:49a

5:38p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, NOV. 9 High: 88 Low: 70 Chance of rain: 9%

Nov. 8 First

Nov. 15 Full

Nov. 22 Last

Nov. 30 New

RAINFALL

SUNDAY, NOV. 10 High: 88 Low: 72 Chance of rain: 44%

Gordon Silver photographed this red shouldered hawk in Del Webb of Lakewood Ranch.

Monday, Oct. 28

0

Tuesday, Oct. 29

0

Wednesday, Oct. 30

0

Thursday, Oct. 31

0

Friday, Nov. 1

0

Saturday, Nov. 2

0

Sunday, Nov. 3

0

*Rainfall totals from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

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.

YEAR TO DATE: 2024 77.76 in.

2023 22.84 in.

MONTH TO DATE: 2024 0.00 in.

2023 0.00 in.

We have all of your luxury flooring needs carpet | hardwood | tile | stone | pavers | and more

Daily crossword puzzles available at YourObserver.com/crossword

DOWN 1 Bisected

68 Even bigger 69 Having posted bond 70 Made a smooth transition

2 Grieve 3 Lavigne who sings “Sk8er Boi”

72 “Tender ___” (Robert Duvall film) 74 Stood up

4 Shrewd 5 Smartphone download

75 Bowler or boater

6 Angela who played Queen

78 Overly

8 “Look what I did!”

86 Enemy

Ramonda in “Black Panther” 81 Cast one’s vote 84 ER’s sorting task 7 Awesome victories 9 Sir’s counterpart 10 Huge, in France 11 Opposite of SSE 12 Fruity red wine concoc-

89 Last word of some French films 90 Is unwell 91 Jones-Perry on the U.S.

egoist

94 Zest

13 Where the hot people are? national volleyball team 92 Movie previews 14 First concern, for an

16 Overtake, in an impressive way 17 Bleaching chemical 18 Japanese currency 24 Home of the NCAA’s Bulldogs 25 Trans activist Erlick 30 Artist using a steel nib 32 Lovable idiosyncrasy 34 “Eat ___ eaten” 35 Earth-shattering

©2024 Universal Uclick

ACROSS 1 Apple desktop 5 Be a partner in crime 9 The “M” of YMCA 13 Stinky 19 Explosive star 20 Dad 21 Actress Kendrick 22 Assent at sea 23 *Flip the bird?

26 New York Grand Slam tennis tournament 27 Squeeze dry 28 It has magnitude but no direction, in math 29 Hereditary factor 31 Not many 33 *Divine being who’s a little fishy?

39 Asa Butterfield’s “Sex

Education” role

73 *Fawn in a surly manner? 108 “You don’t have to

36 Licorice-flavored liqueur

41 George Orwell’s given

76 British afternoon tea treat explain that to me”

37 Noodle bar option

name

77 Surgically remove

114 Chop ___

38 Trippy tab (Abbr.)

42 Serious disagreements

79 Store away

115 John or Paul

40 Shows the door, in a way

43 *One hogging the stand? 80 Civil rights org.

117 Spot often featuring

43 Panhandler

50 “Curses!”

82 “Notorious ___” (former

mountain roads

44 Fentanyl’s classification

51 Preppy clothing brand

Supreme Court justice)

118 Help

45 Total strangers, in slang

52 Gov. emissions testing

83 Tree supports

122 Putting on a stellar

46 The Liberty Tree, for one

location

85 Sieve, as flour

performance, and a hint to

47 Paneled wall section

53 Accept a lesser option

87 Writer Henry David

this puzzle’s theme

48 Gas additive brand

55 Goads

89 Consideration

125 Doughssant’s kin

49 Show solidarity for

58 Disreputable saloon, in

91 Comeback

126 Plough pullers

54 Texter’s hilarious

slang

93 “___-daisy!”

127 Spanish miss (Abbr.)

acronym

60 Digital junk

94 Henry with six wives

128 Have ___ (know some-

56 Mars, e.g.

61 Altar boy, perhaps

95 NYSE debut

body)

57 Disappears, theatrically

62 Flit (about)

97 *One of the big bucks?

129 Relaxed, as an activity

59 ___ Vegas

63 “Rad!”

99 Finger of the sea

130 Inquisitive, to put it

61 Lady ___

65 Curiosity org.

101 Top-notch

politely

64 Throw up in the air

67 Mars’ smaller orbital body 103 Oom-___ (tuba sounds)

131 “Hey, you there!”

66

71 Basic units of matter

132 Some whiskeys

ing some rays

104 *Cat out of the bag?

“LX TN, HP SHZN, HZ MXV BYCN Y ANPAN XZ BVTXI YRXVL HL, LBYL’A BXJ MXV ENYS JHLB YPMLBHPK.” IYSDB TYOOBHX

88 D&D, for one

tion

15 Fair-hiring letters

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“OJHOIJ BDHSIXU’Y FJ GPNGLX HP YDJLN WHEJNUKJUY. WHEJNUKJUYB BDHSIX FJ GPNGLX HP YDJLN OJHOIJ.” GIGU KHHNJ

96 Multi-sided figure 98 Menacing words 100 Something you might tear into?

102 Nonbinary people, in slang 105 Featherbrained

“ILDDJII SIV’U PJXILAJY HE GMXU ENL XDMSJCJ, SU’I PJXILAJY HE UMJ NHIUXDKJI ENL NCJADNPJ.” JUMXV MXGRJ

106 “They killed ___!” (Recurring “South Park” line) 107 Wilt 109 Take on a role 110 Baltimore Ravens QB Jackson 111 Literary source of wry humor 112 “White Teeth” author Smith

Puzzle Three Clue: H equals B

ANIMAL CRACKERS by Ilana Levene, edited by Jeff Chen

celebrity cipher

Puzzle Two Clue: E equals V

crossword

426212-1

Sarasota 941.355.8437 | Bradenton 941.748.4679 | Venice 941.493.7441 | manasotaonline.com

The Grounded Feeling Everyone will Enjoy

Puzzle One Clue: M equals Y

at MANASOTA FLOORING INC

© 2024 NEA, Inc.

sudoku

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

113 Utopias 116 Recipe unit (Abbr.)

118 Knee part repaired for some NBA players 119 “All seats taken” theatre sign (Abbr.)

120 Scatter seeds 121 Fountain pen need 123 Kitchenware brand 124 Posed for a portrait

Nook for catch©2024 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

11-7-24

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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 TABLE DINING Round with real stone top, dark wood, legs $180 (941) 462-5599 TWO WHITE pvc patio pool lounges w/ cushions & 1 large chair. $200 for all 941-949-2080

We are 5 mi. west at 1415 10th St. W., Palmetto.

Mon-Sat 10a-5p, Sun.12a-5p 941-729-5282

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

Please call Marc: 941-321-0707

Sporting Goods

The Premier Golf & Marina Manufactured Home Community 55+ Active Lifestyle

RED PAGES AD RATES

**NEW & PRE-OWNED HOMES FOR SALE**

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/Red Pages

BEACH’ N RIDES Electric Bike Shop! eBike Sales and Rentals Ride easy on an eBike with as much exercise or assistance as you want.

Leave traffic and parking problems behind!

13 models available.

Daily and weekly rentals available.

We also repair other Brands.

Open 9 to 5 daily except Sundays and holidays.

12208 Cortez Rd, FL 941-251-7916 Ext. 1

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

NIGHT WITH THE STARS

Announcements PROM INC.

jobs

Presents Our 5th Annual Holiday Craft Festival NIGHT WITH THE STARS PROM INC. Food trucks, Kids stations and Presentsraffles!

Our 5th Annual Holiday Craft Festival November 16th a.m.Kids - 2:30 p.m. and Food9:30 trucks, stations raffles!

Crossroads Christian Church 1400 November 10th St W.,16th Palmetto 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Sponsored by Suncoast Fire and CrossroadsSafety Christian Church 1400 10th St W., Palmetto

BUY & SELL HERE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

Garage/ Moving/ Estate Sales ANNUAL CREEKWOOD Community Wide Yard Sale. Five neighborhoods to participate.

Saturday, Nov. 9th, 8a.m.-2p.m.

SR70 & Creekwood Blvd.

Furniture, small appliances, clothing & toys.

General Merchandise PATIO FURNITURE Chaise Lounge Chair Resin Wicker Loveseat with Cushions $100 (419) 217-4931

SELL IT FAST! Place Your Ad Online YourObserver.com/RedPages

auto

Sponsored by Suncoast Fire and Safety

Autos Wanted CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

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

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

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

Help Wanted OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR New Life Lutheran Church Hours: Mon - Thurs, 9a - 2p.

Salary: $15 - $20 / hr Start Date: ASAP Seeking candidate to manage church office with confidentiality/good people skills.

Experience in computer software, accounts payable/ receivable. Create weekly bulletins, newsletters. Answer phones/mail,etc.

Send cover letter, resume, names/ contact info of three references to: New Life Lutheran Church Attention: Dianne Utsinger 8010 Fruitville Road Sarasota, FL 34240 www.newlifesarasota.org 941-378-0885 PART-TIME PROPERTY MANAGEMENT in Bradenton Offi fic ce.

AllState Realty Associates Offi fic ce 941-756-4848, Fax 941-756-9779 Email resume to: allstaterealty@allstaterealty.net

YourObserver.com/RedPages

Cleaning BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service

by Maria. Residential. Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References.

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

RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, Vacation Rentals, and Construction Cleaning. Power washing and windows.

Detailed and dependable.

941-744-7983.

Painting

OLD MOTORCYCLES WANTED *1920-1999* ALL Makes & ModelsAny Condition! $ CASH PAID $ Call 845-389-3239 cyclesndmore10@gmail.com

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

941-955-4888

We have a wide range of homes FOR SALE New Homes starting in the low $200’s Pre-Owned Homes starting in the low $100’s NOW offering “Lease to Purchase Program” on select homes.

Visit our Website for home listings & Golf information at www.riversideclubFL.com Or call us direct at 877-211-5337 To schedule a private tour

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.

SARASOTA PAINTING, LLC INTERIOR / EXTERIOR / CABINETS WE ARE THE BEST!!!

Residential & Commercial.

Fully Insured.

CALL or TEXT Don 941-900-9398

Advertise your business or service in the Observer Advertise your business

or service in the Observer RED PAGES AdvertisePAGES your business RED or service in the Observer

CALL TODAY 941-955-4888 RED CALLPAGES TODAY 941-955-4888 CALL TODAY

This week’s Crossword answers 941-955-4888

OPEN HOUSE (Pre-Owned) 10AM - 12PM EVERY TUESDAY OPEN HOUSE (New Homes) 10AM-2PM 1st Saturday of the month Normal Business Hours Mon-Sat 8AM-5PM Sun 10AM-4PM 2550 Pier Drive Ruskin, FL 33570

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE! Real Estate Wanted STORM ANGELS - Cash or Contract for your property. 48 hrs.

Call Tony 573-216-7000

Adult Care Services CAREGIVER - LICENSED CNA 6 years experience w/ dementia & other ailments.

4-12 hrs, 5 days/ week & some weekends. $25-$30/ hr.

Best care for your loved one.

References avail. Marina 786-906-8103

©2022 Universal Uclick

You’re only cheating yourself.

TO OUR CURRENT AND FUTURE CUSTOMERS, Emiline’s Antique Mall is still open.

home services

General Merchandise

Motorcycles

FIND IT IN THE RED PAGES

peekers’ place

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

real estate

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

MOW MOW OVER OVER thethe competition! the competition!

MOW OVER competition!

Made for where you live. Here!

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “To me, in life, if you have a sense of humor about it, that’s how you deal with anything.”

Ralph Macchio

Puzzle Two Solution: “People shouldn’t be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people.”

Alan Moore Puzzle Three Solution: “Success isn’t measured by what you achieve, it’s measured by the obstacles you overcome.”

Ethan Hawke

This week’s Sudoku answers

©2022 NEA, Inc.

GARAGE SALE Advertise as low as $17.50 per week!

CALL 941-955-4888

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

Alterations/Upholstery

Auto Service

Contractor

Nora’s SELL YOUR CAR! Fabrics FAST • EASY • SAFE

Professional Contractors Network, Inc.

Let our Network Handle All your Building Needs

& UPHOLSTERY

WE COME TO YOU

941.270.4400

5-Star Rated

HoHoBuysCars.com

M-F 10 to 4 / Sat 10 to 1 Aluminum

Construction Estimating • Custom Homes • Design Build We Prepare Estimates to Challenge Insurance Companies *Hurricane/Flood/Fire 435579

433654

7300 Manatee Ave W Beachway Plaza (941) 545.7319

Brick Pavers

433655

16B

Email Project Information: PCNestimating@gmail.com 941-527-9414 Doors

DON’T let your

PATIO DOORS be a DRAG or your

Business in Christ

• Paver Sealing • Pressure & Soft Washing • Concrete Coating • Painting

Sliding Glass Door Repairs Sliding Glass Door Deadbolts | Window Repairs

941.650.9790 941-321-2859 941.650.9790 www.BIC - CC.COM YoderAluminum.com

Over 100 Reviews Award Winning Services

YoderAluminum.com

Insured

Attorney

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

Divorce without Lawyers

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

433690

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.

Call me for a free 30 minute consultation before you call a Divorce Lawyer!

Pegatronics.com

BOOST YOUR BUSINESS

941-735-3362

CALL 941-955-4888

Showcase your products or services.

Flooring

In a Snap Flooring

Services & Removal

Sales & Installation Laminate • Vinyl • Tile Refinishing/Concrete Coating Driveway • Patio • Garage Water Damage - Demolition - Epoxy

“Your Home, Your Legacy” 435578

Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator 677 N. Washington Blvd Sarasota, FL 34236 SarasotaDivorceMediator.com 941-727-5555

www.ezslider.com

E&E GENERAL CONTRACTING

William J. Leininger, JD

Find anything in the RED PAGES

Local Home Improvement Contractor: Kitchen & Bathroom Reno • Tile Floor & Showers Flooring & Trim • Siding & Windows • Fencing

941-955-4888

941-529-1768 | eecontractingllc.com

TREASURES

found here.

Looking for something? Your lucky discovery is closer than you think.

RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!

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

IN-HOAMTEES ESTIM

941.628.8579

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

Contractor

We have mediated divorces involving up to 15 million dollars of assets over past 30 years.

FREE

Call us today!

435018

433689

Owner /Insured Operator

433661

Call or text today for a FREE estimate:

Dustin Yoder

Dustin Owner Yoder/ Operator

941-592-0802

433692

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

WINDOWS be a PANE!!

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

Handyman

Home Watch

17B

Roofing

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc. Building & Roofing Contractor

JOE DAVIS HD LLC

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

• Doors & Trim Licensed & Insured • Laminate & Wood Over 30 Years Flooring FREE ESTIMATE • Tile Cabinets & Drywall • Texture Paint & Wood Rot 941-929-3000

433694

CALL BEFOREYOU YOU FALL CALL BEFORE FALL

INTERIOR RENOVATIONS & ANYTHING FROM THE GROUND UP

GRAB BARS GRAB BARS

435294

COMPLETE INSTALLATION PACKAGE

249 235

* $ $235

$

Health

GET YOUR LIFE BACK!

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

941.966.0333

Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

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

433678

KEENS HANDYMAN SERVICES

364556 433669

TEXT OR CALL 574-354-7772

Screening

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

KEENS HANDYMAN SERVICES

DRGRABBARS.COM

*DRILLING CHARGES MAY APPLY FOR MARBLE, GRANITE OR PORCELAIN. COUPON REQUIRED.

SHOWER & BATH MAKEOVERS

Transportation

Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

FREE CONSULTATION 941.358.2224 433668

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

BLACK LABEL CAR SERVICE “Luxury for Less”

Call John 941.377.2940

Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974

941 - 248 - 4734

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

435582

www.showerandbathsarasota.com Landscaping & Lawn

NEED HELP?

GARDENS

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC Midtown Medical Park 1215 S. East Ave. Suite 210 Sarasota, FL 34239

No Job is Too Small!

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

All Florida Airports, Concerts & Dinners - Hourly Cruise Ships & Medical | See Specials at: www.blacklabelcarservice.com

Find business and service professionals in the Red Pages.

To advertise: 941-955-4888

by Allison

Windows

Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

433687

Storm Cleanup • Garden Beds • Landscape Maintenance • Weeds • Trimming

Home Services

Allison J. Abizaid

941-400-0431 • gbyallison@yahoo.com • gardensbyallison.com

Res. | Com. | Lic. | Ins.

433670

Personal Gardening Services | Designer

410036

Give Us a Call - We Can Help

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

435581

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

Painting

Are You Having Dryer Difficulties?

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

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

Residential

941-705-5468

Commercial

GULF TO BAY

433667

Formerly known as Sunrise Windows

P REMIER P AINTING

UP TO

Licensed & Insured

STANDARD WINDOWS

Complete exterior & interior painting Kitchen Cabinet Painting • Deck Stains & Coating Garage Floor Epoxy Coating

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

Lifetime Sarasota Resident & Owner

gulftobaypremierpainting@gmail.com | lwrpainting.com

941-526-5396 | tomtka@tampabay.rr.com www.tkahomeservicesinc.com Licensed & Insured | License #CBC1256062

Plumbing

Mark’s Plumbing Service

ON TARGET OBSERVER RED PAGES Call 941-955-4888 to reserve your ad

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

RELIABLE • INSURED

HEROES found here.

Relax. You’ve got better things to do. Find a professional here in the Red Pages.

RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!

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

941-920-8221

433671

ALL PHASES OF INTERIOR & EXTERIOR REMODELING

435153

433693

Randy Schmidt | 941-702-3262 Kitchen - Bathrooms | Windows - Doors - Floor Coverings | Repairs

160

25 $

SPECIAL 00 5

$

senior citizen discount.

www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

PURIFIED WATER WINDOW CLEANING AVAIL ABLE!!

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES 941- 284 - 5880

435583

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

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

941.702.0437 | ShanahanLuxuryGroup@CBrealty.com | ShanahanLuxuryGroup.com

Top Lakewood Ranch Team 2024

Kenneth Shanahan, PLLC

Katina Shanahan, PLLC

Tyler Shanahan, PLLC

941.702.0443

941.702.0437

941.961.8205

16303 Baycross Drive | The Lake Club

1095 Blue Shell Loop | Wild Blue

New Listing

Under Construction | Ready February 2025

$3,150,000 | 5,079 Square Feet | 5 Bedrooms | 5.5 Bathrooms Bonus Room | Theater Room

$2,869,875 | 3,474 Square Feet | 3 Bedrooms | 4 Bathrooms Flex Room | Pool/Spa | 3-Car Garage

17522 Northwood Place | Del Webb

8308 Portlight Court | The Lake Club

Open House | Sunday, Nov. 10, 1:00 - 3:00

Under Contract

$760,000 | 2,105 Square Feet | 2 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms Office | Private Pool/Spa

$2,450,000 | 3,422 Square Feet | 3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms Bonus Room | Office | Pool/Spa | Outdoor Kitchen

20918 Parkstone Terrace | Concession

12714 Cobalt Terrace

Sold

$3,250,000 | 4 Bedrooms | 5 Bathrooms Casita | One-Acre Homesite

Under Contract in 1 Week

$499,500 | 1,617 Square Feet | 2 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms 2-Car Garage | Resort Amenities

Would you like to sell your home?

The Right Representation Makes All the Difference.

Contact Us to Learn More or to Schedule a Showing.

941.702.0437 | ShanahanLuxuryGroup@CBRealty.com 413866-1

18B