Longboat Observer 12.29.22

FEBRUARY

A PICKLEBALL SENSATION

Pickleball has become a big draw in the two years since the town expanded public pickleball options at

Key’s midisland park. Vee Arnold

Smitz play a doubles match during a normally busy Saturday morning at Bayfront Park.

MARCH

HELPING UKRAINE

Longboaters with ties to Ukraine did what they could to help the embattled nation with fundraisers and relief efforts while also educating others. Social media has helped the world tune in and realize what’s happening, and Anisa Mycak (above) has seen friends and neighbors acting as a microcosm of the global desire to help as the reality of the situation sinks in. Ukrainians have been fighting for their independence for years, and the world is now tuning in.

2022: Through the lens

Can we talk for a moment?

We’ve been through a lot, huh?

There we were, tooling along just fine a couple years ago. A round of golf here, a bike ride there, a little ceviche and a nice cigar.

Then, whammo, we’re all wearing masks and checking drive times on Google maps to find some place called Micco where a Publix store had a single COVID-19 shot appointment open at 8:30 tomorrow morning.

Since then, we’ve dodged hurricanes, survived elections and worked like heck to get back to where we were when all this craziness started.

It wasn’t easy, but we’re here to tell you, we seem to have made it. In looking back through the thousands of photos our reporters took in 2022, we were hard-pressed to notice much of a difference as compared to normal. No masks, no clear plastic barriers and, with the exception of a photo we shot in the first days of January, no signs of social distancing.

Just Longboaters doing Longboat things.

So, as 2022 fades into a typically glorious Longboat Key sunset, we look ahead to even more normality in 2023.

—ERIC GARWOOD

AUGUST

A DAY IN THE LIFE

Have you ever heard of an executive director so hands-on they teach Zumba to their clients? Suzy Brenner does. And if you’ve met Brenner at Longboat Key’s The Paradise Center, you’ve also met Lahni, a 10-year-old pitbull mix. We saw a lot of them both when we spent a day with them.

YOUR TOWN

Whiskey, bourbon, champagne and Blitzen

F. Scott Fitzgerald said, “Too much of anything is bad, but too much champagne is just right.”

Switch champagne to bourbon and whiskey, and that’s the sentiment on Longboat Key this holiday season.

“We’ve been selling a lot of this bourbon sampler. We’re out of it right now because we sold so much,” owner of LBK Liquors Jason Blomme said. “It’s small little bottles of bourbon. We put it together personally. You get the Woodford Double Oaked, Knob Creek, Buffalo Trace and Bulleit.”

The shelves will be stocked again shortly. Until then, there’s a wall of whiskey to choose from. And for Fitzgerald fans, there’s champagne in a gift box.

A little reading

The Little Free Libraries are adding up on Longboat Key. A fourth LFL was spotted in Longboat Village in the 600 block of Fox Street. When swapping books, look down at the painted coconuts.

The first LFL to grace a front lawn was in 2009 in Hudson, Wisconsin. Two years later, there were more than 400 little libraries. Now, there are more than 150,000. The idea was inspired by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie’s creation of public libraries, except these eliminate all barriers to reading. They’re open day and night.

The Longboat libraries aren’t registered on the LFL map, but there are more than 60 registered LFLs in Sarasota County. Find them at LittleFreeLibrary. org/map.

Lesley Dwyer Lesley Dwyer

APRIL

MASTER CLASS IN SERENITY

Tai chi is a weekly thing at The Paradise Center on Longboat Key, but not so visits from Master Max Yan, front. As in past visits, The Paradise Center’s usual teacher, Reuben Fernandez, warmed up the students before handing them off to Yan during a class in the center’s parking lot.

Longboat

and Helen

May we quote you, please?

ERIC GARWOOD MANAGING EDITOR

If it’s college football bowl season, it must be time for our annual nearly New Years’ tradition of matching newsmakers with what they said in the past 12 months. Simply read the quotes and try to match the person who spoke it from the pages of the Longboat Observer. And yes, in many cases we are trying to trick you. No, you can’t have your money back.

we know it’s safe to return to the island, it might not be safe to live on the island.’’

“It means that they believed in me. That they trusted me, that they had the confidence ... that I would be able to carry on everything that they’ve built.’’

is our favorite joint meeting. Now, perhaps I say that at all the joint meetings, but I do mean it.”

brings the whole community together, and that’s what’s important, especially in these times where there’s so much animosity.”

Julie Madison

was a really great surprise and that definitely helped get me through the last couple miles.’’

JANUARY BACK TO THE MASKS

COVID-19 restrictions made a brief return to Town Hall and other municipal buildings when test positivity rates climbed above 10% in Sarasota and Manatee counties following Christmas 2021.

JANUARY TO MARKET, TO MARKET

Longboat Key residents and visitors didn’t have to even cross a bridge to enjoy the benefits of a farmers market when the Town Center Green played host to one of its first organized events. Hundreds of people turned out for the event, organized by the town and the same person who runs a nearby market on Coquina Beach.

Initially, three monthly markets were held.

FEBRUARY

Some of the art at the Longboat Key Festival of the Arts probably looked familiar to anyone who’s driven down Gulf of Mexico Drive and noticed the multitude of Tube Dude mailboxes. The creator of those metal marvels, Scott Gerber, was just one of dozens of artists present at the first Festival of the Arts on the Key, which spanned Feb. 5 and 6.

FEBRUARY ON TOP OF THEIR HAT GAMES

The hats at the Temple Beth Israel Women luncheon just got curiouser and curiouser. The theme of the gathering was a Mad Hatter’s tea party, and attendees came dressed to impress with towering hats sprouting feathers and springy coils. Barbara Rosenthal and Gale Frank came with their maddest hats.

JANUARY WALK THIS WAY

Al and Dottye Van Iten’s annual arrival in Twin Shores came with something of a shock when they first saw the sidewalk of their community torn up. “(Normally), we look at the Gulf of Mexico here at the dinner table and it’s a nice pleasant look,” Al Van Iten said. “Well, now what do you see? A derelict-looking (view).” So they reached out to the town, learned what the problem was, and then, contacted The Observer. A few calls later, the responsible communications company promised to fix it. And it did. “I just don’t like not getting answers,” Al Van Iten said.

MARCH

FEBRUARY

Racket

the courts

JANUARY COURT WAS IN SESSION

Tennis players were back for more in 2022 when the Observer Challenge returned to the Public Tennis Center after COVID-19 prompted a hiatus in 2021. It was the 21st presentation of the tournament and Holly Parker, Beth Gotthelf and Chris Goodwin enjoyed its return.

No. 2

FEBRUARY

CELL POLES CAUSE A STIR

Spotty cell service on the north end of the island has been a perennial issue. In February, residents near the proposed sites for nine small-cell network pole installations argued the black devices weren’t right for their neighborhoods and should be moved elsewhere.

Engineers countered that the sites were chosen to optimize the system’s operation. In the end, all nine were approved and installed. Some of them were activated by 2022.

MARCH

LET’S GET READY TO RRRRRRUMMMAGE

The line was more than 50 people deep to enter St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church’s Royal Rummage Sale. In case you wondered, the largest item that sold was a treadmill. The smallest? A corkscrew.

File photos

ART IN THE OPEN

TOMMY AND FRIENDS

enthusiasts took

on a sunny and warm day at Cedars Tennis Resort and Club for a fundraising clinic with former

in the world tennis pro Tommy Haas and some of his friends. About $11,000 was raised to help Match Point Impact, an organization that trains youth through tennis with the goal of them growing into leaders, athletes and entrepreneurs.

WELCOME TO LEARN

Kids and grown-ups alike perused the displays at the town’s annual open house gathering at Bayfront Park. Tori and Bindi Schield search for trash and recyclables in the Longboat Key Turtle Watch’s educational display.

YEAR IN PHOTOS

MARCH

SEX, SEXUALITY, AND INTIMACY

Sex does not have an expiration date, so why is this topic so taboo? This workshop will explore what sexuality looks like in late adulthood (70+), how to continue an active satisfying sex life regardless of physical health and other challenges, maintaining emotional intimacy, and addressing your expectations. Whether you’re a widow, divorced, or in a relationship, we encourage you to attend. This w orkshop promises to be stimulating, supportive, and very helpful!

Registrants are invited to email questions (see address below) beforehand that will be read anonymously by our guest panel of health experts. They will address your questions, offer tips, suggestions, and new approaches for finding the secret to gratifying sexual intimacy after 70!

Our panel of presenters includes Peggy Albano, psychotherapist and founder of the Florida Center for Healthy Sexuality and a specially trained and board -certified AASECT sex therapist (American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists); Mary Davenport, Ph.D, licensed marriage and family therapist and a certified AASECT sex therapist in private practice since 1974, specializing in both individual and couples therapy; Ike Koziol, M.D., retired urologist in practice from 1978- 2012 as director of men’s health in a large clinical practice, treating many men with sexual issues; Robert Rosenbluth, M.D., retired obstetrics and gynecology physician in private practice from 1970 -1999, mostly in Sarasota, providing comprehensive health care for women at all stages of their lives.

MARCH

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TWO-WHEELED ADVOCACY

Aaron Kleiner, Emmanuel Charron and Howard Tessler of the Longboat Key Bicycle Association worked with police to keep the island’s cycling experience safe.

PUTTING WHILE PINK Pam Snauwaert, Katie Moulton, Karen Shearer and Kerri Anderson were among the 150 golfers who put their best feet forward in support of the Go For the Cure golf event.

We met Steve Penn and his Arcimoto electric runabout and instantly became intrigued by the him and his electric car in which he runs errands and generally enjoys himself. The vehicle is a three-wheel, Americanmade machine officially referred to as a Fun Utility Vehicle that sells for about $18,000. It’s street legal, has a top speed of about 70 mph and a range of about 100 miles. There’s a small compartment in the back with enough capacity to carry a few grocery bags, and when we met, Penn was expecting an attachment soon to carry a pair of golf bags.

MARCH

MOVIE NIGHT

In March, it gorgeous weather blessed the Longboat Key Garden Club’s Dinner and a Movie event. About 140 people came out for dinner and to watch “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” on an inflatable screen at Bayfront Park.

MARCH

TURNER TAKES CHARGE

At his swearing in as Longboat Key’s 13th police chief since 1956, George Turner said it was never his desire to leave the town’s department in 2007 in the first place, but a career opportunity about 50 miles north of Tampa just couldn’t be overlooked. Now, he’s glad to be back.

MARCH BLESSING OF THE FLEET

Commodore Bill Coughlin organizes the Blessing of the Fleet every year. Father Robert Dziedziak, from St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church, right, said a blessing before boats began to come through. By the end of the day, 20 boats, including the Longboat Key Fire Department boat, and 23 stand-up paddleboarders and kayakers came through.

APRIL

A

PIRATE’S LIFE

FOR HER Karen MacKay laid out a surprise for some of her friends with a little philanthropy in mind. Karen, she’s on the left, engaged the services of the Anna Maria Privateers in the form of Jamie VanDenson, Kim Boyd and crew to help.

APRIL

On a day suited for the beach, the Town Commission went to Seaplace for its annual off-site retreat, a day set aside at the condominium’s beachfront clubhouse for freewheeling discussions about the year ahead, away from the confines of parliamentary procedure. Mayor Ken Schneier places a sticker on a town initiative he considers a top priority.

MAY SO LONG, OFFICER NAGELL

After 21 years in a Longboat Key Police uniform, Shawn Nagell eased his way into retirement with a ceremony at the police department. About 50 people came to the police station to celebrate with Nagell, including firefighters, paramedics and Public Works employees. His wife, Julia, was also there.

JUNE BABY, IT’S YOU

MAY CHECKING OUT THE OPTIONS

Longboat Key residents took a test drive but not of a snazzy, new roadster or a frugal hybrid. In fact, no one got behind the wheel or shifted into gear. But about 25 people, including a handful of elected officials, did indeed keep their eyes on the road — Gulf of Mexico Drive, specifically — in a Town Hall try-before-you-buy session highlighting the vision for the island’s largely two-lane thoroughfare.

In early May, the arrival of Blair Sobotka deeply cut into the average age of Beach Harbor Club residents. The daughter of David and Brianna Sobotka, Blair is the first baby to live in the formerly 55-and-older community, well, ever.

Vanessa Ladzinski, the community association manager, said families live there now and have in the past, but no one has ever given birth to a child while living in the complex. Residents are excited to have a new addition. “It’s thrilling to have a new baby, and she’s just so cute,” Ladzinski said.

JUNE A NEW CALLING

Building off photography knowledge gleaned from YouTube, retired firefighter John Harkness now enjoys capturing quintessential Longboat Key images. Harkness is leery of photographing people because there’s too much pressure to get it right. He also prefers to socialize with friends and family in those special moments and says you miss too much when you’re always behind the camera.

JUNE

home office that’s 11’ x 19’ in itself. The second floor features a sizable loft/sitting room at the top of the stairs and two large guestrooms (with ensuite full baths). Call Paul Stern at 941.330.3051 for further details.

sizable loft/sitting room at the top of the stairs and two large guestrooms (with ensuite full baths). Call Paul Stern at 941.330.3051 for further details.

JAMIE STERN 210.612.6654M

LEARNING ABOUT THE OCEAN

Educational booths surrounded the courtyard of Mote Marine Aquarium & Laboratory on World Ocean Day. The educational purpose was to demonstrate the fragility of the world’s seas. Shaina and Jaxton Johnson check out the touch tank.

File photos

Vision 2023

As we move into the new year, Observer Media Group remains committed to its vision statement: Innovate and elevate.

Recently, the Florida Press Association commissioned CODA Ventures, an independent research and consulting firm, to conduct a survey among Florida adults ages 18 and older. The study found that every month, 15.1 million — 86% of Florida adults — read local print or digital newspapers. Of those, 78% are digital readers, 63% are print readers and 56% read both print and digital. In addition, 74% of those Florida newspaper readers are under the age of 65. And more than seven out of 10 Florida adults (72%) access local digital newspaper content through a smartphone.

Despite industry news about newspapers dying, Florida’s print and digital media remain strong.

In fact, Florida Press Association’s membership is growing, with the largest increase coming from weekly newspapers and online digitalonly news sites. Interestingly, some of the online-only sites are now beginning to print weekly publications, such as the Mainstreet Daily News in Gainesville.

The Observer Media Group’s print and digital readership is also strong. With a mission to inspire our communities with extraordinary local content and to help our partners prosper, we believe that we will continue to do so, both in print and digitally, for years to come.

We continue to offer the largest print distribution in the SarasotaManatee area, delivering 60,000 papers each week, while our competitors continue to shrink their circulation (Sarasota Herald-Tribune — 27,889*; Bradenton Herald — 14,000**) and raise subscrip-

tion prices. A yearly subscription to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune is now $754.99*. The Observer remains free for our readers.

Print remains strong, yet our digital audience continues to grow. YourObserver.com, our online daily news site, reached more than 200,000 more people year over year. The number of brand lovers — users who visit the site more than 15 times a month — is up 26%.

Subscribers to our Daily Headlines e-newsletter grew 25% and our Deals and Promotions e-newsletter, which delivers marketing messages for our partners, grew 27%. Experiencing the highest growth was a 30% increase in ad impressions served on YourObserver.com. That means our partners’ advertising messages were seen 57,110,594 times!

Demographically, our audience is becoming younger. About 60% of our users on YourObserver.com are between the ages of 35 and 64, with more than 100,000 of those users falling into the 35 to 44 age range. Last year, our largest group of online users fell into the 55 to 64 range.

Observing this data and the ways readers are consuming news, we spent much of 2022 focusing on our vision statement: Innovate and elevate.

YOUROBSERVER.COM

Nearly a decade since our last website redesign, we knew it was time to offer an updated version of our site with a new clean design and sharper technology. Noting the fact above how most users access local digital news content through a smartphone (67% of YourObserver.com users access our site via smartphones), we wanted to build a site that had a mobile-first and friendly design that loaded fast.

A fresh look. After nearly a decade, YourObserver.com was redesigned.

YOUR OBSERVER E-PAPER APP

While our print distribution is the largest in the Sarasota-Manatee area, the demand has continued to grow. Especially in growing communities like Lakewood Ranch — if money were no object, we could double the print distribution of the East County Observer easily. However, with the cost of paper rising with inflation, we would also have to double the cost to advertise in the paper, which would price ourselves out of the market and many small- and medium-sized businesses’ budgets. That challenge is coupled with the fact that Publix corporate recently made a decision to ban distribution of all free newspapers from its stores. Thankfully, our loyal readers lobbied with store managers to have a small number of Observers distributed behind the customer service desks. Yet, the problem still remained: How do we get the Observer into more people’s hands?

Early next year, you will be able to have the Observer at your fingertips with our new Your Observer e-paper app on your computer, tablet or smartphone. You will be able to read each week’s newspaper or other back issues exactly how it appeared in print. Zoom in and out, swipe through pages, jump through sections and click on a headline for an easy-to-read text view. You can view photos or videos by tapping on an image and swipe through photos from an entire gallery. Love an article, share and post it on social media and print an article or crossword any time you need. It’s your Observer delivered a whole new way.

Our Newsie members, at 452 strong, will have free access to the Your Observer e-paper app. Otherwise, the app will be available for $5 per month or $50 annually. To be one of the first with access to the app, consider becoming a Newsie by emailing Newsies@YourObserver.com.

As we look toward 2023, we will continue on this path to innovate and elevate the ways you can consume our extraordinary local content and provide additional ways to help our partners prosper.

*Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Statement of Ownership, October 2022 **Alliance for Audited Media, December 2019

Hayek “Road to Serfdom,”

1944

President and Publisher / Emily Walsh, EWalsh@YourObserver.com

Executive Editor and COO / Kat Hughes, KHughes@YourObserver.com

Managing Editor / Eric Garwood, EGarwood@YourObserver.com

Staff Writers / Lesley Dwyer, LDwyer@YourObsever.com; Lauren Tronstad, LTronstad@YourObsever.com

Digital & Engagement Editor / Kaelyn Adix, KAdix@YourObserver.com

Copy Editor / Gina Reynolds Haskins, GRHaskins@YourObserver.com

Senior Editorial Designer / Melissa Leduc, MLeduc@YourObserver.com

Editorial Designer / José Valle, JValle@YourObserver.com

A+E Editor / Spencer Fordin, SFordin@YourObserver.com

Black Tie Editor / Harry Sayer, HSayer@YourObserver.com

Director of Advertising / Jill Raleigh, JRaleigh@YourObserver.com

Sales Manager / Penny Nowicki, PNowicki@YourObserver.com

Regional Digital Director / Kathleen O’Hara, KOHara@YourObserver.com

Senior Advertising Executive / Laura Ritter, LRitter@YourObserver.com

Advertising Executives / Richeal Bair, RBair@YourObserver.com; Beth Jacobson, BJacobson@YourObserver.com; Jennifer Kane, JKane@YourObserver.com; Honesty Mantkowski, HMantkowski@YourObserver. com; Toni Perren, TPerren@YourObserver. com; Lyndsey Walsh, LyndseyWalsh@ YourObserver.com; Brenda White, BWhite@YourObserver.com

Classified Advertising Sales Executive / Lexi Huelsman, LHuelsman@ YourObserver.com

Sales Operations Manager / Susan Leedom, SLeedom@YourObserver.com Sales Coordinator/Account Manager / Lori Downey, LDowney @YourObserver.com

Digital Fulfillment Specialist / Emma B. Jolly, EJolly@YourObserver.com Tributes Coordinator / Kristen Boothroyd, Tributes@YourObserver.com

Director of Marketing / Robin Lankton, RLankton@YourObserver.com

Marketing Specialist / Melanie Melone, MMelone@YourObserver.com

Director of Creative Services / Caleb Stanton, CStanton@YourObserver.com Creative Services Administrator / Marjorie Holloway, MHolloway@ YourObserver.com

Advertising Graphic Designers / Luis Trujillo, Taylor Poe, Louise Martin, Shawna Polana

Digital Developer / Jason Camillo, JCamillo@YourObserver.com

Director of Information Technology / Adam Quinlin, AQuinlin@YourObserver.com

Chief Financial Officer / Laura Strickland, LStrickland@YourObserver.com Controller / Rafael Labrin, RLabrin@ YourObserver.com

Office and Accounting Coordinator / Donna Condon, DCondon@ YourObserver.com

Observer Media Group Inc. is locally owned. Publisher of the Longboat Observer, East County Observer, Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer, Palm Coast Observer, Ormond Beach Observer, West Orange Times & Observer, Southwest Orange Observer, Business Observer, Jacksonville Daily Record, LWR Life Magazine, Baldwin Park Living Magazine and Season Magazine

CEO / Matt Walsh Vice President / Lisa Walsh Chairman Emeritus / David Beliles 1970 Main St. Sarasota, FL 34236 941-366-3468

Observer Media Group’s e-paper app will make its debut in early 2023.

EMILY WALSH

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

Friedrich

JULY

FREEDOM AT ITS MOST FESTIVE

It was as hot as a firecracker July Fourth morning, but that didn’t cool the fun for Longboat Key’s annual Freedom Fest, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. Grand Marshal Lisa Walsh led the parade in a red Corvette convertible. Tully the dog, in an Uncle Sam hat and a red, white and blue tulle neck tutu, won the award for Most Patriotic Costume.

JULY GOING UP

With hundreds of workers on-site and nearly as many truckloads of concrete, buildings at the site of The Residences at the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort have been steadily rising from the land once occupied by the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort. Opening is planned for 2024.

JULY

MAPPING

THE FUTURE

Stephanie Troxler, a 33-year-old entrepreneurial mom and a lifelong artist, started painting maps when a client requested something cute to welcome her guest to a destination bachelorette party. Now her water color map paintings of Longboat Key and its surrounding islands are popular items at Driftwood Beach Home & Garden.

AUGUST ON THE RUN

The annual Siesta Key Triathlon has historically been held early in the morning on Siesta Key Beach — it’s in the name, after all — but the event was relocated to City Island in Sarasota this year. So, event organizer Thierry Rouillard made the decision to eliminate the event’s swimming portion and turn the race into a duathlon, in which athletes ran and cycled a total of 15 miles.

AUGUST BUZZWORTHY

A massive bee colony inside the walls of a Tarawitt Drive home prompted the kind of action you probably can only get from a neighbor with some knowhow. J.C. and Jennifer Dominquez recently bought the property essentially for their family to come and stay. But when the bees were discovered, they relied on neighbor Tony Woodward, an amateur beekeeper, to help resolve the situation and relocate the bees.

SEPTEMBER

SETTING SAIL SOLO

Coco Claypoole was one of about 150 youth sailors to compete in the Sarasota

Squadron’s 74th Annual Labor Day Regatta. The 12-year-old Longboat Key resident has been sailing half her life, but this was Claypoole’s first time sailing in this regatta.

OCTOBER

REALLY ARTIFICIAL

Dogs and their owners made a clean break from the sand and grit of the Bayfront Park dog enclosure when the new artificial turf was installed. The turf installation came after a donation from Longboat Key resident Irene Hess, totaling about $123,000. The Longboat Key Town Commission accepted the donation from Hess and the Paul Klingenstein Family Foundation through the town’s Rotary Club Charitable fund.

SEPTEMBER

GETTING READY FOR IAN

With a calm and orderly sense of purpose earned from multiple tangles with tropical weather over the years, Longboat Key residents — including James Keller — prepared for Hurricane Ian, perhaps the most threatening weather forecast in a decade. Forecasters said Ian would blast up the coast with torrential rain, dangerous storm surge and damaging winds. All that took place but farther south than originally seen, sparing the island much of the tragedy experienced in Lee, Charlotte and southern Sarasota counties.

OCTOBER

BLESSED BE THE PETS

More than two dozen dogs and one cat attended the Longboat Island Chapel’s first Blessing of the Animals. October is a popular month for pet blessings because the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi is Oct. 4. The Rev. Brock Patterson even blessed his own dog, Pippa.

SEPTEMBER

AFTERMATH

When it was all done, limbs fell and power failed, but the Key generally fared well. Anja Sandstrom, 3, surveys the damage.

NOVEMBER

LET THERE BE LIGHT

As has become the custom, folks gathered at the Town Center Green on the Saturday after Thanksgiving for a little municipal fellowship and the annual lighting of the tree, which Donna and Mark Meador help set up. With attendees ranging from nine months to 99 years old, it’s an event for all ages. Toddlers and seniors donned Santa hats, antlers and anything else that could light up. The Town Center Green glowed with holiday glee.

On January 5 at 7:30pm,

with The Big Truth: Upholding Democracy in the Age of ‘the Big Lie, ’ featuring Major Garrett, chief White House correspondent for CBS News, and author David Becker.

The Rabbi Michael B. Eisenstat Miniversity of Juda ism FREE to Temple members and $10 per date for guests January 11, 18, 25 - 2:00 pm

Features a lecture series by Rabbi Eisenstat entitled “ Oedipus and Israel: Common Themes Between Two Diametrically Opposed Cultu res.”

Sailing

File photos

2022: A Return to Normalcy

The latest year in Sarasota’s arts community saw a return to a full slate of performances and customers returning to their places in theater spaces.

SPENCER FORDIN A+E EDITOR

The arts community in Sarasota and beyond had craved a year like this, an opportunity to welcome people back to live performances with minimal interruptions.  And they mostly got what they wanted: COVID-19 continued to recede and cause fewer programming interruptions, and people began to fill the seats again.

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall welcomed more than 100,000 visitors to performances this year, and three musical tribute acts (to ABBA, Simon and Garfunkel and Queen) sold more than 1,700 tickets in their one night on stage.

There was also a demand for more time with great art. Beyond Van Gogh, the immersive experience that took people inside the master’s work, was originally expected to spend about a month-and-a-half in Sarasota. It was extended twice, though. The following are some of the other highlights of the year from the arts and entertainment scene.

Spencer Fordin

Jeffery Kin is looking forward to building a festival that puts Sarasota on the international arts circuit map.

Eric Garwood

The intersection at Fruitville Road and Paramount Drive would be upgraded as part of the plan to build a new home for Sarasota Orchestra.

Spencer Fordin

Patti Smith didn’t just play Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. She decided to sign on for a return in both 2023 and 2024.

Spencer Fordin

The Van Gogh immersive exhibit was extended twice and ended in August instead of the original plan to end in April.

Photo courtesy of Sarasota Ballet

Longtime principal dancer Victoria Hulland retired during the 2022 season and later returned to the ballet in an advisory role.

Patti Smith, celebrated poet and inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, added another item to her distinguished list of accomplishments in 2023: Artist-in-residence at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

Smith, who performed in Sarasota in February and April, is the first artist tagged with that position at Selby Gardens. She’ll come back to perform at Selby Gardens in 2023 and 2024, and she’ll spend some time drawing inspiration from the organization’s two campuses.

Selby Gardens first honored Smith and her former collaborator and lover, the late iconic photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, with an exhibit called, “Flowers, Poetry and Light.”

“I was just a little sad that Robert couldn’t see this,” she said when she toured the exhibit for the first time in February. “I think we really would’ve had fun, and he would’ve also been very moved at all of the effort on so many levels.”

VENUES

Two local arts organizations continued their quest for a new permanent venue; one successfully and one that will go back to the drawing board.

Sarasota Orchestra announced in March that it had agreed to purchase a 31.7-acre plot on Fruitville Road just west of the interstate with the

intention of building an 1,800-seat concert hall and a 700-seat recital hall space. That potential home leapt one procedural barrier in December, when it received a 5-0 vote from the Sarasota County Planning Commission.

The orchestra’s potential new home will be voted on by the Sarasota County Commission in January, and if approved, the purchase of the land is set to close in February.

The Players Centre for Performing Arts wasn’t as fortunate.

The Players had two plans for a potential home — one in Lakewood Ranch and one in Sarasota — fall through in 2022. The theater had planned for a $30 million complex in Waterside Place, but those plans fell through in March when SchroederManatee Ranch terminated that agreement.

Then in May, the Players had plans to lease and manage Sarasota’s Municipal Auditorium voted down by the Sarasota County Commission.

As for new venues, plans for the new Sarasota Performing Arts Center are still moving forward. An architect is expected to be chosen for the project, which will be part of The Bay park, by April.

SARASOTA RISING

Jeffery Kin spent 15 years building drama at The Players Centre. And he’s spent the past year laying the tracks for something big in Sarasota.

Kin is the driving force behind Sarasota Rising, which is committed to helping the arts scene evolve

in the Sarasota region and elsewhere on Florida’s Cultural Coast. The ultimate goal? Building a festival, dubbed the Living Arts Festival, that will debut in fall 2024.

Kin’s dream is to ultimately build a bigger stage for each of the institutions in town. He wants to build cross-collaborations between unlikely partners, and he wants to leverage the stellar arts products in town into building a catalyst for tourism during the “shoulder” season.

“We want to drum up cultural tourism. It’s going to start local, then statewide, then the Southeast and then the nation,” he says. “In 10 years, we want this to be an international festival. We will want people to be able to say, ‘We’ve got to be in Sarasota at this time because we’re going to see stuff that we would never be able to see anywhere else.’”

SAD NEWS

For more than a year, Sarasota Orchestra had looked forward to Bramwell Tovey taking charge. But it wasn’t meant to be.

Tovey, the charismatic Grammy Award-winning conductor who had formerly led the Vancouver Symphony, died in July after a recurrence of sarcoma.

Tovey accepted the position of Sarasota Orchestra’s Music Director in 2021, and he was able to lead performances here in October 2021 and again in April 2022.

He was expected to fully take the reins in the fall.

Tovey had been looking forward to shaping both the material for sea-

sons to come but also the composition of the orchestra. He told the Observer in an interview that there were as many as 15 positions to fill via audition, and he looked forward to a long and fulfilling run in Sarasota.

“As a group, I think they’re incredibly impressive. Individually, I think they’re outstanding,” he said of the orchestra. “It’s a wonderful group to work with. At the end of the day, as a conductor, I spend most of my time in a windowless studio working with musicians. I feel very confident about the people they are, the service they give and the quality of musical life that is available here in Sarasota. I’m just thrilled and honored to have been invited to lead the team.”

STORM FRONT

Many of the local arts organizations were lucky to skirt major damage from Hurricane Ian.

But the Hermitage Artist Retreat and the Venice Theatre were hit hard.

The Hermitage, located out on Manasota Key, had the opportunity to do some prep work before the storm, but the organization experienced major damage to its campus. Luckily, it avoided storm surge and survived a period after the storm in which it didn’t have power or water.

But for Venice Theatre, the interruptions to business as usual were more profound. Murray Chase, producing executive director of the theater, said in October that the main stage, the Jervey Theatre, would be out of operation for at least a year and maybe more. The secondary stage, the Pinkerton Theatre, was thought to need a few months of renovation.

Chase estimated at the time that damage to the theater could exceed $3 million, but he said Venice Theatre would emerge strong again.

“Sometimes, they can look a lot worse than they are. But they’re really bad,” said Chase of photos showing the extent of the theater’s damage. “At first glance, you think, ‘Oh, the theater is totally destroyed.’ It’s not. It suffered catastrophic damage, but it can be fixed.”

COMING AND GOING

The Asolo Repertory Theatre announced a major change in their organizational structure in April, when Michael Donald Edwards and Linda DiGabriele said they would step down in 2023.

Edwards joined the organization in 2006, and by the time he retires, he will have been the producing artistic director for Asolo Repertory Theatre for 18 seasons.

But DiGabriele was there even longer. She’s been the theater’s managing director since 1989, and her tenure at Asolo will total 50 years by the time she steps down next June.

Sarasota Ballet also celebrated a momentous changing of the toes.  Principal dancer Victoria Hulland retired in April after 16 seasons with the company, and she announced in November that she is returning to Sarasota Ballet in an advisory role.

The ballet also welcomed a pair of dancers from Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, Argentina: Macarena Giménez and Maximiliano Iglesias, who have relocated their lives and their art to speak the language of dance in a new community and a new country.

RIVERDANCE, as you’ve never seen it before! A powerful and stirring reinvention of this beloved favorite, celebrated the world over for its Grammy® Award-winning score and the thrilling energy and passion of its Irish and international dance. Bill Whelan has rerecorded his mesmerizing soundtrack while producer Moya Doherty and director John McColgan have completely reimagined the groundbreaking show with innovative and spectacular lighting, projection, stage and costume designs. Fall in love with the magic of RIVERDANCE all over again.

Photo courtesy of Sarasota Orchestra

The late Bramwell Tovey led the Sarasota Orchestra last April.

The Venice Theatre sustained major damage from Hurricane Ian.

Photo courtesy of Venice Theatre

THIS WEEK

decades, and the latest scholarship winners are part of a tradition that stretches all the way back to the mid-’80s.

SATURDAY

PINEAPPLE DROP PARTY

1 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1 at intersection of Lemon Avenue and Main Street Free Visit DestinationDowntownSarasota. com.

the show with a special champagne toast.

NEW YEARS EVE WITH RON FEINGOLD

9:30 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd. $70 Visit McCurdysComedy.com.

Ron Feingold is bringing all of his voices. He’s the man behind Comedy A Capella, and he’ll sing lead vocals, backup and even the odd percussion sound. Scott Novotny and Helen Keaney will also do sets on New Year’s Eve.

MONDAY

MONDAY NIGHT JAZZ AT THE CABARET

7:30 p.m. at FST’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St. Tickets TBD Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.

OUR PICK

Bring on the pineapple! The spiny emblem of the Sarasota New Year is ready to drop like clockwork to help you ring in 2023. The actual festivities will start 12 hours earlier, with DJs and bands, carnival rides, games and food and drink. Live music starts at 9 p.m., and the party lasts an hour into 2023.

NEW YEAR SOIRÉE AT GROVE

If it’s Monday night, that means there’s a jazz show down at Florida Studio Theatre. It’s the start of a year full of rich programming for the Jazz Club, which brings local and regional performers to the stage multiple times a week.

IF YOU GO

When: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dec. 29 and Dec. 30; 1 p.m. on Dec. 31 Where: at Sailor Circus Arena, 2075 Bahia Vista St. Tickets: $20-$40 Info: Visit CircusArts.org.

7-10 p.m. at Grove, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch $200 Visit GroveLWR.com.

It’s a five-star buffet and a full open bar for the New Year’s Party at Grove. The menu will include items like prime rib and crabstuffed flounder, and the customary midnight toast will actually be served at 10 p.m.

FST IMPROV PRESENTS RESOLUTION REWIND

SCHOLARSHIP

AT TWO — JC

RECIPIENTS CONCERT

2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road $15-$20 Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.

The next generation of talent is bright. The Jazz Club of Sarasota has been nurturing local talent for

7:30 p.m. at FST’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St. $25 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Think of it as a last request for 2022. The talented improv crew at Florida Studio Theatre is taking your best suggestions to provide you a comic rewind of 2022, and they’ll close out

SALUTE TO VIENNA NEW YEAR’S

CONCERT

7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail $57-$90 Visit VanWezel.org. The Strauss Symphony of America, conducted by Michael Zehetner, is bringing you the sounds of a European New Year. Champion ballroom dancers will move to the music, and soprano Alexandra Reinprecht and tenor David Danholt will give voice to the songs of the Neujahrskonzert.

WEDNESDAY

FLYIN’ WEST

7:30 p.m. at Donelly Theatre, 1012 N. Orange Ave. $40

Visit WestCoastBlackTheatre.org. This show will still be in previews on Jan. 4, but here’s your chance to see the Sarasota premiere of a Pearl Cleage work. The play centers around a group of women in the 1890s who left the South to stake their claims in an all-black town in Nicodemus, Kansas, and their fight to keep what they had built for succeeding generations to develop in their wake.

DON’T MISS

BLONDE’

‘LEGALLY

Elle Woods would like you to know there’s no law against being both a blonde and also the smartest person in the room. The national tour of the hit Broadway musical took a brief break for the holiday season, and it will get back on its feet with a pair of shows right here in Sarasota. Hannah Bonnett stars as Elle Woods, and Lea Savola, who starred in Urbanite Theatre’s “Athena” earlier this year, plays Vivian Kensington.

IF YOU GO When: 7:30 p.m., Jan. 4 and 5 Where: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail Tickets: $42-$92 Info: Visit VanWezel.org.

SAILOR CIRCUS HOLIDAY SPECIAL

This is a circus town. And these are circus kids. The talented class of the Sailor Circus Academy — ages ranging from 8 to 18 — are ready to show you everything they’ve been working on over the past year. There are nimble acrobats and flexible contortionists, dextrous jugglers and people who fly through the air with the greatest of ease. And they still have homework.

A special ovation for Lea Sevola

The young actress will get a chance to spend holidays home with her family, and then she’ll get right back on the stage for the touring production of ‘Legally Blonde.’

SPENCER FORDIN A+E EDITOR

ea Sevola will spend the holidays right here in Sarasota.  And then she’ll go right back to living her dreams on stage. Also in Sarasota.

Sevola, who plays Vivienne Kensington in the touring production of the Broadway musical “Legally Blonde,” will be on stage at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Jan. 4 and 5.

And if it sounds like she’s getting a special ovation, there’s a reason for that. Her parents live in Sarasota, and they’re bringing their own cheering section.

“My parents are coming to the first performance with like 50 of their friends,” says Sevola during a break of the touring production.

“So I feel very supported, very loved. They have a wonderful community of friends where they live, and they’re so supportive of me.”

Sevola says her sister will also be in attendance at the Van Wezel, which makes it mean a little more than the average performance.

Sevola, who starred in the Urbanite Theatre’s production of “Athena” earlier this year, says that her “Legally Blonde” role doesn’t necessarily get all the laughs.

“Vivienne is the all black in a room of pink,” she says of her character, who plays a foil to the heroine Elle Woods. “She starts out very severe and rigid because she knows what she wants. And Elle is getting in her way.

“But by the end, she has a nice bit of an arc and a little bit of growth and ends up being really supportive of

Elle. And they end up as allies.”

Sevola says the tour has wound its way through 50 shows already, and by the time it concludes in May, she will have performed in 100 shows and 85 cities.

The hardest part of a national tour, she says, is moving from venue to venue and not knowing the little things like what the backstage looks like and whether all the set pieces will fit. But night after night, the show must go on no matter what adjustments have to be made to the final product.

Interestingly, as they move from city to city, the young actors are part of a finishing school of sorts. They’re interacting with each other, young professionals who are each getting their first big break and with seasoned actors who have played on these tours before. Sevola says that Chris Carsten, who plays Professor Callahan, is a veteran touring actor

IF YOU GO

‘Legally Blonde.’ 7:30 p.m., Jan. 4 and 5; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail. $42-$82. Visit VanWezel.org.

of 25 years and that he’s been really kind and warm to most of his younger peers.

“He has been a mentor and someone I absolutely look up to because he does such great work every night,” she says. “There’s a nice blend of new people and people who are veterans.”

The cool part about a long tour, she says, is that several of her peers will have their own hometown shows at some point during the season’s worth of performances.

At some point, they’ll all get a special ovation.

“Those are the most fun because you can feel there are people who are extra supportive,” she says. “But I have been so pleasantly surprised; people are so excited to see theater no matter where we are. Our audiences have been so packed, so supportive, so loud. It’s been a lot of fun.”

Sevola says she hasn’t thought much about what’s next because the tour winds all the way through May, but she’s been so excited to perform on stages in front of audiences that seat thousands of people.

Every night, she remembers how lucky she is to do what she loves.

“Every once in awhile, we’ll get people coming to the stage door and they want us to sign our programs,” she says.

“I remember doing that when I was a kid. These are the people I looked up to, and now I’m that person for other people. That’s the very meaningful to me.”

Earlier this year, Lea Sevola (right) starred with Emma Giorgio in the Urbanite Theatre’s production of “Athena.”

Photo courtesy of Urbanite Theatre

BECOME A FRIEND OF THE BAY TODAY!

Help make The Bay sustainable in every way.

In this season of giving, a gift of as little as $25, $50 or $100 will enable The Bay to be a world class, central park for Sarasota.

Your help and support will ensure this new public park looks incredible and delivers surprisingly delightful experiences to every park guest every day -- every year.

The Bay preserves, restores and transforms 53 acres of precious city-owned land along Sarasota Bay into a blue and green oasis - providing a sustainable bayfront gathering place for the community to experience a wide range of park uses.

Everyone who came to The Bay for the ten-day grand opening, everyone who enjoys a walk in the park, and everyone who participates in free park programs and events is encouraged to become a Friend of The Bay.

Every dollar donated by a Friend goes to operate, maintain and program the park. Your gift of only $25, $50 or $100 will enable you, your family and friends, neighbors and visitors to enjoy The Bay, and enable others to experience that same joy. EVERY GIFT UP TO $1,000

Park guests and other supporters who choose to become Friends of the Bay will help enable The Bay to be one park for all – open and accessible, free and welcoming to the full and rich diversity of our community, now and for generations to come.

Please help SHARE THE JOY of The Bay to ensure more park is built, maintained and enjoyed by all.

Become a Friend of the Bay Today!

Best Of Black Tie 2022

season.

Well, we’re certainly back, aren’t we?

After a couple years (give or take) of cancellations, rescheduling, Zoom adaptations, alternative fundraiser routes and plenty of pining for “The Good Old Days”, Sarasota’s social scene has returned with a roaring first half of the season that’s kept everyone busy.

Last year’s season was largely a return to form but was missing a few events that were still reworked or rescheduled to now.

And everyone showed up ready to meet the moment. The various functions and fundraisers have always been marked (to me anyway) for their high levels of energy, excitement and commitment to philanthropy for those in need in our area, but this year’s outings seemed to have taken it up a notch. The air has been different, and more and more people have been out and about making the most of these many social gatherings.

Or maybe I feel that way because I stayed close to the entirety of Wine, Women and Shoes this year, and I witnessed the intensity up close. Who knows?

In any case, the calendar had a healthy mix of new approaches and events mixed with some returning favorites. Lighthouse Loss Vision Education Center and All Faiths Food Bank got the ball rolling in September with their signature Red Hot Gala and Autumn Harvest Dinner events,

respectively, before October brought a small wave of social functions.  Selah Freedom returned to events after some time away with its new Light The Path fundraiser at Flirt Sushi Lounge, while Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium brought the underwater beauty aesthetic with its Oceanic Evening event.

Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation finally had its moment in the sun (or rain, rather) with its Rock The Roof fundraiser in November, which must have been a relief for staff after it was delayed for so many months.

Children First brought back its lively Flip Flops & Fashion and Rockin’ Lobster events in Venice early in November, and several nonprofits followed suit with their own functions throughout the month.

Even the Sarasota Art Museum kept its streak of elegant and committed events in December with a nature-inspired Art Bash that mixed philanthropy with nature conservation efforts.

It’s been quite a ride, and we’re only halfway there. But really, it’s a healthy and happy thing to see events having returned in a way that will positively affect so many.

We hope you’ve enjoyed the first half of this social season, and we’re excited to get back into it with you for the new year.

— HARRY SAYER

Best (And Longest-Awaited) Premiere: Rock The Roof

got back onto the (now slightly soaked) dance floor and mixed it up in defiance of the bad weather. That perhaps added to the thrill when the night’s bands finally took to the stage and absolutely shredded.

They finally had their signature event on Nov. 5, but that too was briefly interrupted by a freak rain shower. When it rains it pours, right?

To the crowd’s credit, once it was clear the rain would pass, everyone

It was a fun, rocked-out vibe with plenty of enthusiastic guests bringing their best ’80s-style costumes. Here’s to next October’s shredding session.

Shout Out to the Mayor’s Ball

The mayor gave back as much as he got, and the mood at the fundraiser was punchy and fun throughout. Arroyo spent some time helping create the event and possibly more time thinking of jokes and roasts.

The best news is that the cursed roundabout is finally opening, which means the easiest target on his back is no more. Nice job, Erik!

Here’s what’s been shining bright this social

We’re not saying Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s Rock The Roof event was cursed, but it definitely had the bad hand of having to consistently reschedule its comeback over the past few years.

We have to give a shout out to past Mayor Erik Arroyo for working up the courage to get roasted by his friends and peers during the inaugural Mayor’s Ball fundraiser at Waterworks on Oct. 15.

Photos by Harry Sayer

Bands rocked out at Rock The Roof.

Erik Arroyo gave it his all at the Mayor’s Ball.

Best Outfits: Disco Boys, Wine Women & Shoes

Wine, Women & Shoes always goes hard, be it with various fashion show models or the creative and dazzling shoewear guests think up for the all-day event. There’s even been themed models like a Tom Cruise Top Gun lookalike in fundraisers past.

This year’s event at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota had a different move in mind on Nov. 18.

The event’s fashion show was led by a pair of Disco-Headed Dudes wearing snazzy suits that danced and posed for pictures with the crowd.

Best Outfits: Sasha and

Nathan

Pyatte, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s

Stephanie Caroline of GRAE Productions ordered the disco ball heads and volunteered for the event. She helped lead the disco dudes to take photos and get through the busy ballroom. It turns out large globe heads aren’t the best for navigation, but Caroline was just glad it all went so well.

Groovin’

On The Soul Train gala

Sasha and Nathan Pyatte have been out and about at various fundraisers over the past few months, but rarely as boldly and loudly than at the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s funky “Groovin’ On The Soul Train” gala on Nov. 11. The duo showed up with matching ’70s jumpsuits that matched the groovy looks most of the crowd donned for the signature fundraiser.

Best Outfits: Dan and Nicole Starostecki, Rock The Roof

Rock The Roof truly drew a surprising number of cool costumes and throwback rocker looks from guests that haven’t typically done so in the past.

Dan and Nicole Starostecki, though, tapped into their innate rocker energy and dressed up as they often do — something Dan called “GNashville with some doses of LA grime.”

In any case, it worked well for the duo, and the pair lived it up with the other rockers in the crowd.

Best Outfits: Rogelio Capote and Antonio Pinho, Rock The Roof

Rogelio Capote, of CAN Community Health, and his husband, Antonio Pinho, also did up the throwback look for Rock The Roof. But instead of embracing the ’80s with the big clothes and bigger hair, the duo went for a ’90s MTV look. Roger went for the cocktail look with jeans and a jacket, while Antonio kept it athletic with a colorful track suit.

“As a kid of the ’90s, it was so much fun to relive the styles,” Capote said.

Engagement: Margaret Wise and Tom Taylor

Margaret Wise has been a well-known figure in the social scene and was married for 40 years before her husband died a few years ago. She connected with social figure Tom Taylor and the two have been going steady for some time, often being seen at events together.

It’s going well. Wise and Taylor recently announced their engagement to a delighted social scene.

“He’s a good man,” Wise said. “That’s important when you get older.”

Taylor popped the question to Wise at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, where she happily said yes. They don’t have a date just yet, they’re just enjoying the moment and embracing what comes.

“We’re too young and immature (to set a date),” Wise said.

Sarah Karp of the Karp clan recently became engaged to fiance Okay Renkliyuz on a sunset cruise in Istanbul, Turkey.

Karp and Renkliyuz fell in love a year ago and have been enjoying their time together. Renkliyuz went so far as to project his proposal in large, bright letters on the Bosphorus Bridge.

About 15 minutes later, the pair spotted a pod of dolphins swimming past their boat — always a good sign for a couple.

They’re aiming to be married in Italy this summer.

Wedding: Sydney and Madison Koffman

Donna Koffman is no stranger to the social scene, be it fundraisers, luncheons, galas and all sorts of weddings.

December 3 was a first for Koffman, however — the wedding of Donna’s daughter, Sydney, to her wife, Madison.

The pair were married at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art during an elegant setting that saw more than 300 of Sarasota’s social scene in attendance. There were also several of Sydney’s friends from college who were attending as well.

A cute coincidence was that the wedding fell on Donna and David Koffman’s 28th anniversary.

Sydney and Madison Koffman are gearing up for their honeymoon at an undetermined time.

New Baby: Jersey Shelby

It’s not Alysha Shelby’s first time as a parent — she gave birth to her daughter Asher in December 2019. But as that date indicates, it was definitely a weird time to be a mom with the pandemic soon disrupting her planned mom life.

Her second baby, Jersey, born this past August, was unexpected in a different way. Alysha and her husband had been told from medical professionals and were convinced their second baby was going to be a girl.

The Shelbys went so far as to start buying girls clothes for their new child. It didn’t go that way. The couple set up their gender reveal at an Orioles spring training game on April 1 and, when the billboard revealed it was a boy, they both thought it was a big prank.

Surprises aside, young Jersey Shelby has been a happy baby in every way. And Alysha has enjoyed getting back into the social scene as well.

Engagement: Sarah Karp and Okay Renkliyuz

Courtesy photo

Jersey Shelby

Courtesy photo

Okay Renkliyuz and Sarah Karp were recently engaged off the coast of Istanbul.

Nicole and Dan Starostecki went to the rocker event dressed as, well, themselves.

Roger Capote and Antonio Pinho did up the MTV look.

Sasha and Nathan Pyatte brought matching jumpsuits to Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s gala.

Starry Night Series

The Asolo Repertory Theatre started its Starry Night series with a swashbuckling event for close supporters on Dec. 12.

The theater’s annual series — which features a number of events that are themed to Asolo Repertory Theatre productions — started with a “Three Musketeers” evening at Katherine Harris’ residence.

Guests were welcomed by a pair of adventurous performers clad in throwback attire who led them into the event space for an evening

of light bites and mingling.

Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards and Managing Director Linda DiGabriele later gave remarks to the assembled crowd before it was time for the night’s entertainment.

The “Three Musketeers” performers drew their blades and dueled to the delight of the crowd.

The next installment in the Starry Night series will have a “Silent Sky” theme and be held on Feb. 27.

— HARRY SAYER

Monday, Dec. 12, at Katherine Harris’ residence | Benefiting Asolo Repertory Theatre

Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards

Development Associate of Data and Special Events India Marie Paul and Interim Development Director Sarah Johnson

Host Katherine Harris

Photos by Harry Sayer

Meh.

2022

We survived another crazy year. But we are thankful for our loyal readers and advertisers helping us get through the year. Wishing you a healthy, happy and prosperous 2023!

YOUR NEIGHBORS

property in 2016. After the Players presented a smaller theater concept for the space, which was rejected by SMR, it began talks with the city of Sarasota to lease the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium for its new home. The city rejected that proposal, which left the Players still searching for a home.

In the meantime, the community theater is still performing shows in its Studio 1130 space, in The crossings at Siesta Key mall.

RED TIDE

Red tide returned to the region in mid-October. Rain and storm surge from Hurricane Ian helped fuel the ideal conditions for toxic levels of Karenia brevis, the organism that creates algae blooms known as red tide.

High levels hit Sarasota and Manatee beaches in mid- to late November but decreased in early December.

Tens of thousands of readers stayed up to date on the red tide status levels of local beaches with the Observer’s status map that began this past year.

2022 Digital Year in Review

OBSERVER STAFF

We all know the World Wide Web is a bit of a crazy place. When you put news out for the world to see, you never know who will come check out the latest and greatest happenings from our area (or what they’ll have to say about it). And, this being Florida, sometimes we garner a little extra attention for our news shenanigans. But, as years go, things were pretty tame in 2022 on YourObserver.com, which recently got a face-lift just in time for the new year, if you haven’t noticed. No alligators invading pools or rogue men in SpiderMan costumes bopping around town. But that doesn’t mean we had any less news. Here are some of the stories that drew the most attention on our website this year.

HURRICANE IAN

The top-performing content on YourObserver.com this year was — fairly unsurprisingly — our coverage of Hurricane Ian. We kept readers up to date on forecasts and news leading up to and throughout the storm. But what caught the most attention was the aftermath.

People like to see for themselves.

We published more than 100 photos taken by Observer staff and sent in by readers of damage across the region.

Readers from across the country were keeping up with our Ian coverage — snowbirds from their summer states as well as thousands of new readers. Compared to an average 60% of our content being read by people in Florida, the number of

those outside the state nearly quadrupled those in state reading the Observer’s Hurricane Ian coverage.

MIRA MAR

This one had all the makings of a juicy local story: In essence, a local developer proposed razing the 100-year-old Mira Mar building on Palm Avenue in downtown Sarasota to replace it with 70 condos.

That alone was enough to spark a tidal wave of comments from readers. Then add in the plot twists: The building’s historical value was called into question from renovations and repairs made throughout the years. Then, just days after the proposal was made public, citing also that the building was a safety hazard, the city of Sarasota called for immediate shoring up of structural issues in it.

Add in that a longtime Sarasota restaurant currently leases space that would be affected by the proposal and we had a legit brouhaha brewing.

After the Historic Preservation Board unanimously refused the developer’s request, the deal to sell the building fell through, but the owner said in August it would still move forward with demolition. Stay tuned …

THE PLAYERS CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS

The tale of the Players Centre for Performing Arts finding a new home had some twists and turns this year, and it still does not have an ending, happy or otherwise.

In March, Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch terminated its plan with the Players to build a $30 million theater complex in its new Waterside Place development.

The community theater had been working to raise the money to build the new theater since it announced it was selling its downtown Sarasota

RESTAURANTS

The region’s restaurant scene saw a lot of sad goodbyes and exciting hellos this year.

Sarasota staple Cafe Baci announced in mid-April it would close the following month after more than 30 years. Owner Roberto Mei said that it was time for him to move into the next phase of his life.

Blue Rooster was another big hit. The Rosemary District restaurant brought Southern food and the blues to Sarasota for nearly a decade before closing its doors. Owner Bill Cornelius said that at 70 years old, he was ready to retire and sold the building to a new operator.

The area and its growing population is still a magnet for restaurateurs. Lakewood Main Street saw the openings of Remy’s on Main, which offers comfort food with a Korean twist, and Mediterranean restaurant Sofia’s.

Massachusetts-based Kelly’s Roast Beef opened at University Town Center in December, and Longboat Key’s first Mexican restaurant opened in August. La Villa Mexican Grill serves up authentic Mexican dishes, margaritas and mariachi.

File photos

Remember that warning about driving into standing water? The driver of this pickup on Upper Manatee River Road must not have seen the road sign for “High Water Ahead.”

In the wake of Hurricane Ian, an apt message on a downtown Siesta Key mural by Brandon Thrift remained undamaged.

Angelo DiFiore opens the doors to Sofia’s at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch in August.

Cops Corner: Best of 2022

These are some of our weekly feature’s

Lets face it, whether you’re a cop in the South Bronx or on Longboat Key, there are days you’re gonna just stop and smile at the world around you.

OK, maybe fewer days in the South Bronx than on Longboat Key, but you get what we’re saying.

Those stop-and-smile moments are what we try to capture each week in Cops Corner, a newspaper feature that could easily adopt The Friars’ Club mantra of “we kid,  because we love.’’

Hard crime news isn’t what we’re about at Cops Corner. Making you smile and perhaps tipping our newsprint hat at the men and women who wear a badge is.

Anyway, here’s some of 2022’s best broken into five categories.

THERE MUST BE SOME MISTAKE, OFFICER BANG, BANG!

5:13 p.m., Jan. 7, 1900 block of Harbourside Drive

Officers canvassed a neighborhood after a resident’s report of sounds that resembled gunfire. Officers found nothing suspicious and were told by a witness that an antique car

top items from the past year.

backfired several times, adding that the owner of the car lives nearby.

NUDE? OR NOT NUDE?

7:15 p.m., April 24, 4500 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Police hit the beach in search of a man, perhaps in his 70s, walking the beach unincumbered by clothes. Upon arrival, the officer reported no first-hand sightings of the man, but in speaking with others on the beach, the officer learned the man was wearing a thong-style swimsuit referred to by the beachgoers as a “banana hammock.”

MEATS, CHEESES, BUT NO CRIMES

12:40 p.m., Aug. 16, 2800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

A resident alerted police to a white tent with food inside that seemed to be the basis for a roadside business of some sort. An officer arrived to find a couple celebrating their wedding engagement with a charcuterie board.

NEVER MIND

7:44 p.m., Sept. 18, 4700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

While en route to beachfront resort on a report of a missing person, the officer learned the report actually involved a missing purse. And it wasn’t missing anymore.

TOP O’ THE AFTERNOON TO YA! 4:39 p.m., Oct. 27, Greer Island beach

A woman who was reported to be topless on the beach told police that, no, she wasn’t actually topless but rather had simply adjusted the upper half of her two-piece swimsuit because of sand infiltration. An officer arrived to find the woman appropriately covered and advised

her to return to her car out of sight if future adjustments were needed.

PRIME SUSPECT: BOBBY EWING

1:38 a.m., Nov. 3, 2500 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

An officer was sent to a residence on a report of a home burglary. While the officer was on the way, he was advised the caller ascertained the alarming sound she heard was the result of a dream, not reality. The caller told police she did not wish to make an official crime report and there is no provision for a dream report. The officers investigated and found no sign of forced entry or other crime.

SETTLE DOWN, PEOPLE LOUD? FOUL? GRUMPY? OLD?

3:03 p.m., Feb. 27, 7000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

A caller who did not wish to meet with an officer reported a group on the beach was playing music annoyingly loud. When an officer reached the beach, he was directed toward a tent containing six people by a man who said the group was not loud, but rather using foul language. The officer noted the music was not loud, but the lyrics could be considered foul. A woman interjected that the group had been neither loud nor foul-mouthed and that the reporting party was a “grumpy old man.’’

HERE IN AMERICA . . .

6:01 p.m., May 12, 200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

The manager of a dining established called police to report a couple who refused to pay for their meal and refused to leave. The officer spoke

WHO ARE YOU, WHY ARE YOU HERE?

8:36 p.m., Aug. 30, 4900 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Men with flashlights atop a scaffolding drew the suspicions of a caller concerned about the possibility of a big-time heist in progress. One of the men told the responding officer he was a beekeeper and was assisting in the emergency removal of a beehive. The officer relayed the sweet-as-honey news to

to a man with an overseas accent who said he and his wife had been displeased with the way they had been treated. The officer explained the tenets of Florida’s defrauding an innkeeper statutes and that they could both be taken to jail. The bill was paid in full a short time later.

FRUSTRATED WHILE FISHING

9:47 a.m. July 10, 2600 block of Harbourside Drive

Police came to the aid of a worker who was having a hard time persuading a fisherman to leave the private property of a marina, even though signs were posted reading “No Fishing, Private Property.” The fisherman told the officer that he didn’t believe the water belonged to the marina. The officer convinced the fisherman of the error of his opinion, and he raised anchor and departed.

SOMETHING’S SUSPICIOUS QUITTIN’ TIME NAP

12:29 p.m., Jan. 21, 5300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

An employee of a business, napping between buildings in a commercial center, prompted a call to police. When an officer arrived, he learned from the napper that he had just clocked out and was snoozing before bicycling home, where he said he planned to continue his slumber. The officer found the man in good condition and watched as he pedaled away toward his Manatee County home.

SEE COPS CORNER, PAGE 24

Devon Meddock

Devon Meddock, described by many as “The Darling of Manhattan,” is a singer, actor, and multi-instrumentalist based in New York City. Devon led the company of The Imbible nightly for two years at New World Stages and performs regularly at Feinstein’s/54 Below, The Green Room 42 and Lincoln Center, in addition to other renowned New York venues. Most recently, Devon performed with acclaimed jazz pianist Arthur Migliazza in Mystic, CT, played trumpet in Joe Iconis’ album debut concert in Manhattan, and spent summer 2022 in Long Island, NY playing trumpet and acting with the Argyle Theatre’s production of The Buddy Holly Story.

completing her studies in classical music at Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA, Devon

her Masters in

Performance in Music Theatre and an Advanced Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy from New York University. When not performing, Devon serves as a Professor of Voice at NYU. Her concert will be wide-ranging and heart-touching. She may even surprise us by inviting her all-time favorite student, Alexa Lowrey, to join her for a few selections. Come one, come all, and bring your family, friends and neighbors. This program is destined to be One For The Ages.

To

FROM

DEPENDS ON THE NEWSPAPER

5:35 a.m., Feb. 11, 4300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

An officer was sent to a neighborhood on a complaint from a caller, who did not want to meet. The caller reported being suspicious of a sedan delivering newspapers in his neighborhood. Dispatchers were not able to discern what was suspicious about a sedan delivering newspapers. The officer was not able to find any vehicles answering the caller’s description in the neighborhood.

JUST RESTING

8:44 p.m., April 14, 3500 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Police investigated a small car found between some trees across the street from a public beach access. When an officer arrived, he reported seeing the head of a woman pop up from the back seat, then disappear. When the officer approached, the woman said she had been at the beach all day and was resting before driving home. The officer told her the beach access would close at 11 p.m.

MAKING HIS WAY

3:56 a.m., May 25, 5700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

An officer on patrol stopped to talk to a man he encountered pushing a grocery cart south in the bicycle lane. The man was dressed but also was wrapped in a shower curtain while pushing the cart containing a boat fender, some vegetation and a sign. The man apparently spoke only Creole, which created a language barrier, but officers were able to direct him to the sidewalk for a safer passage along the highway.

THE ULTIMATE IDLING MACHINE

7:08 p.m., July 17, 4800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Police responded to a call about an unoccupied German sports sedan,

parked with its windows closed, doors locked and engine running. A check by the officer linked the license-plate number to an auto dealership, which was closed. During the course of the investigation, the owner came outside and said he had been moving boxes into a nearby residence, and all was well.

THE ANIMAL KINGDOM SLIPPERY LIKE A . . .

11:16 p.m., Feb. 19, 3300 block of Bayou Sound

A police officer responded to a call regarding a snake in a bathroom. When the officer arrived, the caller said the approximately 4-foot-long reptile was nowhere to be found. Officers looked around and theorized the animal might have come and gone through a plumbing access area. The resident said a plumber

MASTER OF DISGUISE

11:30 p.m., Nov. 18, 200 block of Sands Point Road

Citizen dispute: The manager of a bar called police to report trouble with a patron who refused to produce identification before being served. The manager said staff explained to the patron that no alcohol would be served without ID. The male patron became belligerent and demanded he be served. At that point, the patron was told to leave. Several minutes later, the manager said the patron tried to return to the bar

would be called to seal off more slithery visitors.

THAT’S NOT A BIRD 3:18 p.m., March 4, 1600 block of Harbor Sound Drive

An officer went to the home of a caller who reported what she believed to be a bird trapped in her attic. The officer, too, heard a chirping sound, which he followed into a pantry.

In the pantry, the officer found a smoke detector with an expiration date of 2003. Batteries in the device were from 2009. He recommended the chirping electronic device be replaced.

OVER A BARREL 7:33 a.m., Sept. 22, 1200 block of Hillview Street, Sarasota

The town’s marine patrol officer was called to assist Sarasota Police with a report of someone clinging to a barrel in Sarasota Bay. Before the Longboat Key officer could arrive at the scene, it was determined that the barrel/castaway combination was a manatee.

ITSY, BITSY BREAK-IN ARTISTS 5:28 p.m., Oct. 28, 500 block of Halyard Lane

A resident called police to report ants had infiltrated her home via a faucet. The officer suggested a call to a plumber or a pest control service.

TO PROTECT AND SERVE

LET THERE BE LIGHT 8:55 p.m., Feb. 3, 500 Bay Isles Parkway

A driver told a police officer she was having trouble seeing her lane of travel while driving north on Gulf of Mexico Drive. The officer assessed the driver as being in good health and in no need of medical attention. He then checked her vehicle and discovered the headlight switch was in the off position, instead of automatic. With the headlights now activated, the driver was able to proceed home without incident.

TWO-TIME LOSER 2:16 p.m., Feb. 9, 5400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

An out-of-state drivers’ license was turned in to the police department. A civilian department employee was able to find a telephone number

POWERED UP 10:48 a.m., Oct. 3, 500 block of Bay Isles Road

Following Hurricane Ian, police went to the Public Tennis Center to check out a report of an extension cord connected to a receptacle on town property leading over the fence into an adjacent community. Following the cord back to its end, the officer found a resident who said he was concerned about the refrigeration of his insulin and saw that the tennis center power had been restored. The man immediately unplugged the cord, but regained power shortly thereafter. The man was advised to seek permission first before again seeking to use publicly financed

keys were locked inside asked an officer to break a window to solve the problem. The officer asked if a spare set was available and drove to the woman’s home in the 2500 block of GMD at her request to pick up her husband and the keys. Upon the officer’s and husband’s return to the retail store at which the car was parked, the door was opened and all was well.

PERSONALIZED FOR YOUR CITATION

7:44 p.m., April 15, 300 block of North Shore Road

Police were alerted to an incident of littering by a person in a vehicle. The responding officer found the fastfood trash also included a receipt with a name and telephone number, which he called. The man who answered said he must have accidentally left the trash. The officer let the man know he would be getting a littering citation by mail at his out of town home address.

CAST AWAY 5:56 p.m., June 26 Sarasota Bay, Marker 25

for its owner. In arranging for the license’s return at the police department, the owner said he was familiar with the location of the station because he had picked up his license there last year when he lost it.

LIGHTING HIM UP 2:40 a.m., March 28, 6900 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

An officer on patrol spotted a man riding a bicycle in the dark with no lights. The man told the officer he had lights, but the batteries had died. The officer provided the man with a new set of lights, donated to the department (both red and white) as part of bicycle safety program sponsored by Florida Department of Transportation. The man installed the lights, switched them on and rode off.

NO BREAKAGE REQUIRED

2:45 p.m., April 1, 4000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

The driver of a car in which two dogs, a cell phone and the ignition

The town’s marine patrol officer spoke to a group of people he rescued from a pair of paddleboards in the middle of Sarasota Bay. The five people and a dog were taken aboard his vessel and said their catamaran had run aground and they abandoned it as a storm approached, heading initially for Bradenton. With limited visibility, they reversed course and headed for Longboat Key. The officer dropped them off at Bayfront Park and alerted the U.S. Coast Guard and Manatee County Sheriff’s Office to the presence of a grounded sailboat in the bay. No one was hurt.

CAN WE KEEP IT?

8:15 a.m., Sept. 30, 500 block of Ranger Lane

A resident called police to tell an officer about a boat that drifted loose and arrived near his canal-front dock. The resident said he secured the boat with rope to his dock and used a pump to remove water inside. The resident told police the boat belongs to an owner down the street who is out of town and would maintain the vessel until the owner returns.

golf course and Gulf of Mexico views. Upgrades are evident throughout this 2BR+Den/2.5BA home, including Chef’s kitchen, and replacement of all sliders and windows with high-impact glass.

JUST LISTED 1350 MAIN 1350 MAIN ST., PENTHOUSE 1704 SARASOTA, FL $7,500,000

THE ONE - A Freshly redesigned entertainers penthouse located high above the city of Sarasota. Encompassing 3,208 sq. ft., the penthouse offers jet liner views of the entire city, including sweeping views of Sarasota Bay

TOP 10 PROPERTY SALES ON LONGBOAT

HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

Six of 2022’s top 10 residential real estate transactions on Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key and Bird Key reached the $10 million level. Here are the top 10 sales.

$13.75 MILLION

1.

Longboat Shores: Donald and Dawn Meagher sold their home at 3303 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Tamara MacCormack, trustee, of Ontario, Canada, for $13.75 million. Built in 1985, it has five bedrooms, six-and-two-half baths, a pool and 6,009 square feet of living area.

2. $11.5 MILLION

Schoenherr, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the home at 171 S. Washington Drive to William and Rebecca Miller, of Ruston, Maryland, for $10.06 million. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, seven-and-twohalf baths, a pool and 11,246 square feet of living area. It sold for $7.4 million in 2007.

6. $10 MILLION

Bay Isles: Daniel Garrad Warren III and Kim Elaine Warren, of Culver, Indiana, sold their home at 550 Harbor Point Road to Bill Thomas and Beverly Thomas, trustees, of Dallas, for $10 million. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, fiveand-a-half baths, a pool and 6,062 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.5 million in 2010.

7. $9.65 MILLION

(TIE)

Lido Shores Estates: Jon and Donna Boscia of Sarasota sold the home at 1313 Westway Drive to the Stewart Revocable Trust Declaration for $11.5 million. Built in 2004, the home has six bedrooms, seven full baths, two half-baths a swimming pool and 7,336 square feet of living area.

Coquina Beach: Ben and Barbara Price of Longboat Key sold their home at 3501 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Willis and Elizabeth Hartman of Wichita, Kansas, for $11.5 million. Built in 2004, the home has five bedrooms, six full baths and one half-bath, a swimming pool and 10,097 square feet of living area.

4. $10.4 MILLION

Sleepy Lagoon: Johanna Santer, Kailua, Hawaii, Simon Platt, of Aiken, South Carolina, David Platt, of Grande, California, Stephen Platt, of San Diego, and Alison Hare, of San Jose, California, Co-Personal Representatives, sold the home at 6211 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Vicki James, trustee, of Auburn, Indiana, for $10.4 million. Built in 1993, it has five bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 4,980 square feet of living area.

$10.06 MILLION

5.

Lido: Sean and Jennifer Stumler, of Sarasota, sold their home at 1435 Westway Drive to Jeffrey Ansted, of Maumee, Ohio, for $9.65 million. Built in 2013, it has five bedrooms, six-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,566 square feet of living area. It sold for $7.7 million in 2021.

8. $9.25 MILLION

Longboat Key: Amy Katz, of Sarasota, sold her home at 3475 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Jeffrey Horowitz, trustee, of Suffern, New York, for $9.25 million. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 7,608 square feet of living area. It sold for $7 million in 2016.

9. $8 MILLION

Lighthouse Point: Nicholas Reding, trustee, and Patricia Reding, of Longboat Key, sold the home at 70 Lighthouse Point Drive to Remer Stephen Buffington and Mary Ellen Buffington, of Atlanta, for $8 million. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths, a pool and 4,979 square feet of living area. It sold for $6.35 million in 2004.

10. $7,725,000

Country Club Shores: Troy Dolan sold his home at 642 Ranger Lane to Todd and Lisa Zimmerman, of Longboat Key, for $7,725,000. Built in 2001, it has six bedrooms, sevenand-a-half baths, a pool and 7,091 square feet of living area. It sold for $4.5 million in 2013.

John Ringling Estates: Russell Lee Schoenherr and Joan Catherine

ADAM

Courtesy photos

YOUR CALENDAR

RECURRING EVENTS

WINTER SPECTACULAR

From 4-9 p.m. and from noon-9 p.m. on holiday weeks and weekends in St. Armands Circle. See the circle transformed into a winter wonderland until Jan. 3. Wristbands for attractions cost $10.

MONDAYS

GENTLY CHAIR YOGA

From 9-10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Fee is $70 for members; $80 for others. Call 383-8222.

STRETCH AND STRENGTHEN

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Fee is $10. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

THINKING OUT LOUD: TIMELY TOPICS WITH MIKE KARP

From 1-2:30 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Topics will include U.S. and world current affairs, popular culture and topics relevant to seniors. Cost is $10. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

TUESDAYS

QI GONG FOR HEALTH AND VITALITY

From 9-10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Fee is $70 for members; $80 for others. Call 383-8222.

QI GONG

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Class is outdoors, weather permitting. Cost is $10. Walk-ins welcome. Call 3836493.

YOGA

From 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Cost is $10; free for members. Call 383-6493.

MAH JONGG

From 1-3 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. To check availability at the tables, email MaryAnnBrady@TheParadiseCenter. org.

WEDNESDAYS

BEGINNER TAI CHI

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise

BEST BET

MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY LONGBOAT LIBRARY

The Longboat Library is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday at 555 Bay Isles Road. On Wednesdays, most books are on sale for $1 or less. Call 383-2011 for information.

Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Class is outdoors, weather permitting. Cost is $10. Walk-ins welcome. Call 3836493.

THURSDAYS

ST. ARMANDS KEY LUTHERAN CHURCH BRIDGE CLUB

Every Thursday beginning at 1 p.m. at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, 40 N. Adams Drive. There is an $8 suggested donation for each session. Refreshments provided. RSVP to 952-9251.

ZUMBA AND MAT PILATES FOR SENIORS

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Cost is $10. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

FRIDAYS

QI GONG AND MEDITATION

From 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Free for members; $10 for others. Call 383-6493.

at

it comes to great photography, we don’t have to go any further than our readers, who supply our weather page with amazing photos for our Nature’s Beauty with Manasota Flooring contest. Here is a 2022 sampling.

JUMBO FREESTYLE

WHITE CHRISTMAS by Ryan McCarty and Adrian Johnson, edited by David Steinberg

By Luis Campos

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

Jenelle Alber captured this white ibis walking in the waves along Longboat Key.

Brian Wamback captured the sunset on a beach at Greer Island.

Sergio Albuquerque captured this photo of a railroad vine in bloom along Longboat Key.

Susan Molnar captured this osprey holding a sheepshead fish on North Lido Key.

Experience this stunning bayfront estate in person! Just a sunny walk from famed St. Armands Circle. This impressive 5BR residence is situated on two lots in a corner location, spanning more than a half-acre, set among lush, professionally managed greenery beside the coastal landscape of Sarasota Bay. Designed by luxury home builder John Cannon Homes, the nearly 8,000 SF interior highlights beautiful bay views throughout. Offering elaborate outdoor entertaining space, plus multiple boating options to fulfill the yachtsmen’s dreams.

www.97SouthWashington.com