Longboat Observer 1.12.23

Cell plan makes connections

North end’s new Verizon poles are in service and making a difference. PAGE 2

YOUR TOWN

Photographer sees history

A new year’s plunge

When someone is swimming this time of year, clearly, they’re not from around here. But that was not a swarm of tourists in front of the Seaplace condominiums on New Year’s Day. Residents and their visitors celebrated with a Polar Bear Plunge.

“Some of them jump head first, and some of them just tiptoe in,” events organizer June Hessel said. “Every year the crowd gets a little bit bigger. Some do not even go in. They just come down to celebrate the new year.”

About 70 people took the plunge into the frigid Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf temperature was around 62 degrees, though it had been colder a few days earlier.

We’ve seen this movie before

Anyone who’s been trying to get between Longboat and the mainland this week likely has sat in traffic for possibly hours as Florida Department of Transportation crews reduce lanes in the newly opened bayfront traffic circle. Signs, lane markings and curbing are all going in – during the middle of the day.

City of Sarasota leaders say FDOT’s work was news to them, but by early afternoon Tuesday, trips from St. Armands to Main Street were reportedly taking up to an hour. We also saw southbound traffic backed up past Bay Isles Road. When will it all be over? Well, if it’s any help, we heard this from FDOT.

“We encourage motorists to allow extra time to travel, follow the roadway signage and messaging and avoid making unauthorized U-turns or changing lanes across solid lines between the lanes when traveling through the construction work zone.”

Thanks, FDOT.

Photo courtesy of Allan Mestel

A Ukrainian flag hangs proudly amongst the destruction captured by Longboat photographer Allan Mestel.

Lesley Dwyer

Courtesy photo

Lesley Dwyer

April Glasco sings a beautiful rendition of “God Has Smiled on Me’’ at Temple Beth Israel.

April Glasco repays Temple Beth Israel’s generosity. PAGE 18

All nine cell poles energized for service on the north end

LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

Verizon customers on the north end of Longboat Key say they are receiving stronger cellphone signals, as promised by the wireless communications company, now that all nine new poles have been activated.

The 25- and 35-foot poles went live about two weeks ago.

“The Verizon wireless improvement, particularly at the north end, is a major step forward in improving cell service for Verizon users on the island,” Public Works Director Isaac Brownman wrote in an email. “Verizon was the first of three major carriers to ‘answer the call’ of the town to work on improving and enhancing each of their respective wireless signal services on the island.”

Not only are customers seeing more dependable signals, but coverage has also improved, they say.

“We certainly have noticed a difference,” north-end resident Paul Hylbert said. “We are less than 100 feet from one of the poles, so we always have four bars. The service has not only improved, but we have experienced no drops in service at all.”

Vice Mayor Maureen Merrigan said she has heard similar sentiments from residents, but nothing overwhelming one way or the other. Since she is not a customer of Verizon, she has not been able to form her own opinion on the matter.

“We now need to finish the work and continue to work with other providers to improve their reception on the Key,” she said.

The natural next step in her eyes

is to enter into an agreement with AT&T about improving service in a similar manner. Conversations are continuing between the provider and the town in hopes of enhancing service and coverage on the island.

Such a company would have to come to a business agreement with Verizon, and the locations of the poles would have to mesh with the other company’s network needs.

Potentially, other carriers could make a similar applications to the town to erect their own poles, though the town’s 60-foot spacing requirements, height rules and other specifications would still apply.

Assembly of the nine poles was completed in July. Seven of the nine are 35-foot poles, which were placed along Gulf of Mexico Drive.

The other two that were placed within north-end neighborhoods were capped at 25 feet. They are on Binnacle Point Drive and at the corner of Broadway Street and Lois Drive.

The poles were required to be black to match the color and general appearance of streetlights planned for installation as part of the town’s underground utility project. When possible, placement was hidden among trees to decrease visibility to passers-by.

Seven of the nine poles are on Gulf of Mexico Drive. The remaining two are in residential neighborhoods.

Verizon customers report improved reception with cell phones, but will other companies also join in?

File photo

TIPTON’S TOP TASKS

Howard Tipton will start his new role on the barrier island Jan. 30. Here are five things to pay attention to right away.

As Town Manager Tom Harmer moves out of his office after  five years, he identified the top five issues facing Howard Tipton as he gears up to his first day.

“He has to focus on his first six months to a year to really understand what is going on here,” Harmer said. “With the staff, the community and how he can add value and support the commission’s initiatives.”

Tipton’s first day with the town is scheduled to be Jan. 30. Harmer’s final day helping with the transition between managers is Feb. 6.

“I am looking forward to doing a number of great things; I am excited about the opportunity to follow in my friend Tom’s footsteps,” Tipton said following the approval of his contract Sept. 12.

Tipton is coming from St. Lucie County, where he served as the county administrator.

Here are Harmer’s list of top priorities for Tipton in his new role, in no particular order.

— LAUREN TRONSTAD

Beach nourishment

Tipton must also ensure that the town’s beach nourishment projects are kept moving to maintain the beaches, not only from an aesthetic perspective but also from a storm-surge mitigation perspective.

The town has a track record of keeping its beaches in tip-top shape, even after major storms.

The town saw minimal impacts to the its beaches after Hurricane Ian. The town was able to obtain a clear and accurate measurement of the changes made due to a recent nourishment project, Public Works Department Programs Manager Charlie Mopps had said following the storm.

Canal navigation program

A  priority for Tipton should be to focus on ensuring the startup of the town’s canal navigation program.

The town has been working to develop a canal navigation dredge program to maintain the town’s 81 canals, alleviating the need for major dredge projects every few years.

The last major dredge the town completed in canals was in 2003.

“That’s a big project,” Harmer said. “We haven’t dredged canals in about 20 years and need to get a program in place. We’ve started the process from a planning standpoint. It’s going to be about a year or two of work to get that in place.”

Fourteen priority canals have been identified, but it is likely that the list will grow since the original study was conducted in 2016. Priority canals were categorized as such due to the state of the canal and its ability to meet its designed intent: navigability.

The town has scheduled an update of the program Jan. 23, which is exactly one week before Tipton’s scheduled start date. Also needing to be finalized: a financing plan for the work. Among the considerations, a system similar to the beach-nourishment system in which property owners with direct benefits pay more than others.

Underground utility

As the project nears completion, Harmer said it is important that Tipton continues working to accelerate the planned completion and keep the project under budget in partnership with Public Works Director Isaac Brownman.

The project is  coming in under the original budget for the project by about $5 million. The original budget for all four phases and work with Comcast and Frontier was estimated to total about $28.23 million.

Close out of the project is anticipated by mid-2023.

Brownman expressed hope that energizing of the whole of the new underground system will be complete by spring 2023. Remaining work, including removing poles and wires, is the responsibility of the FPL. Once FPL work is complete, the project will be finished.

Finances

During Harmer’s tenure, the town continued to receive a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence from the Government Finance Officers Association on financial reporting.

Harmer says such a certification, which the town has received annually for the past 40 years, is important for Tipton to ensure he helps maintain. The certificate awards the town for going beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles, showing evidence of transparency.

“Being thoughtful on the financial impacts of a potential recession and prioritizing what resources we have” is important for Tipton to keep in mind when helping the commission identify priorities, Harmer said.

Maintaining a general fund reserve that continues to exceed the policy put in place under Harmer’s management is key to not only Tipton’s success as manager but for the town as well.

The policy, which was changed in March 2021, requires that the “desired combined unrestricted available fund balances should not be less than three months or 25% of general fund operating expenditures.”

For the 2023 budget, that number would equal just less than $9 million.

The minimum is based on the need to have reserves in case of disaster.

County relationships

“One of the things that the commission mentioned when they asked me to help look for my replacement was someone who could work with two counties,” Harmer said.

While in the past a one-county initiative was discussed, the town’s approach has changed.

The town is now working to establish solid relationships with the counties to ensure that residents are seeing the value of the taxes they pay to the counties.

Harmer added that Tipton has worked in county government for years and will have the opportunity to connect with both Sarasota and Manatee officials on potential partnerships.

Town-specific issues that benefit from solid relationships between the town, Sarasota County and Manatee County include transportation, funding for the Broadway Street roundabout and drainage studies like the ones conducted in the Buttonwood Harbour and Sleepy Lagoon neighborhoods.

The town has also been working with Sarasota County on the possibility of establishing a public library on the island. It’s the only Sarasota County town or city without a public library.

St. Lucie County Administrator Howard Tipton will start his tenure with the town Jan. 30.

North-end

building, which will be located at 5630 Gulf of Mexico Drive, will be

LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

Aproposal to build a threestory, eight-unit condominium building passed with unanimous approval from the Longboat Key Town Commission this week.

The building, which will be located on vacant land at 5630 Gulf of Mexico Drive, will be the tallest building on the north end of the island once it is completed.

The site plan was first passed by the town’s Planning and Zoning Board in November before it was initially considered by commissioners Dec. 5.

The development plan includes 38 parking spaces, which include 12 guest spaces, two accessible van spaces and 24 parking spots  underneath the structure. A swimming

pool and fitness center are among amenities the plan showed.

Developers also requested to permit six additional feet in height for two roof-top enclosed elevator shafts.

Vehicle access will be from Tarawitt Drive and Jungle Queen Way, with no access directly to Gulf of Mexico Drive. The proposal includes a plan by the developer to widen Tarawitt Drive to 20 feet.

Residents of both Tarawitt Drive and Jungle Queen Way raised concerns about construction noise, commercializing the area and additional cars parked on the already cramped streets.

In each element, the plan meets or exceeds all town code requirements.

The maximum building coverage permissible is 30%; the plan  proposes 24%. The minimum open space required is 50% of the property; the plan proposes 52%.The minimum street yard setback required is 40 feet; the plan shows 42 feet of setback. The minimum rear yard setback required is 25 feet; the plan includes 125 feet of rear yard setback. The minimum property setback from the waterfront is 20 feet; the setback

All interested persons may appear and be heard with respect to proposed Ordinance 2023-02. Copies of Ordinance 2023-02 and related material associated with the amendment may be viewed at the Planning, Zoning & Building Department, 501 Bay Isles Road, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. weekdays prior to the hearing. Questions may be directed to the Planning, Zoning & Building Department at 316-1966. The proposed amendment will affect property within the corporate boundaries of the Town of Longboat Key as shown on the map appearing at the bottom of this advertisement.

No verbatim record by a certified court reporter is made of these proceedings. Accordingly, any person who may seek to appeal any decision involving the matters noticed herein will be responsible for making a verbatim record of the testimony and evidence at these proceedings upon which any appeal is to be based (see Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes). In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 286.26, Florida Statutes, persons needing a special accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact the Town Clerk’s office at 941-316-1999 seventy-two (72) hours in advance of this proceeding. If you are hearing impaired, please call 941-316-8719.

Green, Chair Planning and Zoning Board Published: 1/12/2023

Courtesy rendering

David

Town commissioners on Monday approved plans for four pickleball courts in the Longboat Key Club.

The Key Club’s plans for the courts were unanimously approved to move forward by the town’s Planning and Zoning Board Nov. 15 following relocation of the site and a sound study prompted by neighboring resident complaints.

The pickleball courts, proposed for 3000 Harbourside Drive, will be built south of the original plans, replacing existing parking, which moves them farther from Winding Oaks. Neighbors from Winding Oaks banded together this past spring to object to the plans, citing noise and nighttime lighting concerns.

Even as plans were largely supported Monday, a remaining concern was brought before developers. Commissioner Debra Williams, with support from fellow commissioners, asked the developers to reconsider the plan for the new parking area proposed.

Prior to Monday’s discussion, the new parking site would have no turnaround area for vehicles looking for a spot, but finding the lot full. Instead, the expectation would be the driver would have to back up the entirety of the parking lot and curve back onto the adjacent road.

After urging from Williams and Commissioner BJ Bishop, developers opted to move forward with the suggestion to stripe a parking spot to be designated as a place to turn around should the parking lot fill up.

Previously, the club’s original plan was to build the four courts adjacent to its Harbourside Tennis Gardens. Those plans were unanimously approved and set to move on to the Town Commission on June 6.

Following the initial public hearing in

shown in the plan is 74 feet; 16 parking spaces are required for the site size, but the developer included 38. Court records indicate the property was sold in 2021 to the developer for $3 million following an earlier sale that year from the Mote Foundation for $1.5 million. According to records, Longboat Key’s Michael S. Kimball bought the property in April 2021 and sold it in June. Voters in 2019 approved Mote’s

The placement of the courts following relocation.

April, residents of the nearby Winding Oaks community raised objections about potential noise, and many complained they had not been notified of the meeting by official mail until after it had taken place.

The original site was planned adjacent to the Tennis Gardens’ courts in an area where trees now stand between the golf course and the tennis facility. The courts were proposed to be no closer than 328 feet from the nearest Winding Oaks home, which is farther away than existing courts are from residential property alongside the Moorings.

request for residential density on the land, following a 2017 rejection of the same request alongside Unicorp National Development’s density request for a redeveloped Colony Beach & Tennis Resort.

Mote had tried unsuccessfully to sell the land with its commercial zoning, and in 2016 offered to sell it to the town as a means of fleshing out a town guideline for open space acreage.

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

Town’s annual citizen surveys are on the way

MISSING YOUR SURVEY?

If a resident does not receive their letter with their unique code in the mail by Jan. 18, they are asked to call or text 941-888-0630. A response should be received within 24 to 48 hours.

Saturday, February 4th

FEATURING YESTERDAYZE

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5:30 pm - 7 pm (Gates open at 4:30 pm) 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm Music by Mike Sales

Town Center Green 600 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key

Come out and “Savor the Sounds,” and enjoy an elegant, yet casual, outdoor picnic setting. BYOPB! Bring a picnic basket and blanket. (Lawn chairs, tables and coolers are welcome.) Pre-order boxed dinners from Publix by calling (941)383-1326 ext. 228 or 229

LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

The town’s annual citizen satisfaction survey will begin arriving in the mail this week.

The deadline for residents to fill out the online survey is Feb. 11.  Each resident will receive a letter in the mail with a unique identifier code and a set of instructions for completing the survey.

“Conducting such a survey proves invaluable by giving owners a voice in expressing their opinion of services, quality of life issues and town policy choices that affect their lives,” the town’s website reads. “The results will show how much consensus around policy issues, which will enable town leaders to direct and shift town priorities.”

The town remains contracted with the John Scott Dailey Florida Institute of Government at the University of South Florida. Seeking knowledge of resident satisfaction costs the town about $23,000 annually.

Homeowners can access the survey online from their home computers, tablet or phone. Residents can

also fill out the survey at the kiosk in Town Hall as long as they come prepared with their letter showing their unique code.

All answers to the approximately 50 questions will be anonymous.

A variety of topics are covered and include the quality of town beaches, parks and town-owned amenities, services such as police, fire and public works and events residents would like to see at the Town Center.

New questions for the 2023 edition of the survey include use of emergency personnel, social media following, hurricane preparedness and the amount of time a resident actually lives on the barrier island.

The final report is expected to be published by early May.

The 2022 survey garnered responses from 1,441 residents with 99% of responses rating the quality of life as “excellent or good.” According to the final report, the town mailed 8,562 surveys, resulting in a response rate of about 16.8%.

Total renovation overlooking the

Total renovation overlooking

overlooking the Oaks Club

overlooking the Oaks Club

STERN 941.330.3051 paul@sarasotabrokers.com

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.

for further details.

for further details.

PAUL STERN 941.330.3051 paul@sarasotabrokers.com

JAMIE STERN 210.612.6654M

The deadline for residents to fill out the online survey is Feb. 11.

Questions about hurricane preparation and plans were added to this year’s survey. File photo

Nikki Fried is right to sue for medical marijuana patients’ gun rights

Although federal law prohibits marijuana use, it doesn’t give it grounds to discriminate against marijuana users.

ADRIAN MOORE AND GEOFFREY LAWRENCE

Florida Agriculture Commissioner and recent candidate for governor Nikki Fried has appealed her case seeking to restore the rights of medical marijuana patients to buy and possess firearms. Fried initially filed the suit against the U.S. Justice Department in April.

She argues that the department’s regulations against gun ownership for medical marijuana patients violate those patients’ Second Amendment rights and run afoul of appropriations riders that restrict the department from using any resources against state-regulated medical marijuana programs.

The case was dismissed in November by a federal district court judge. Judge Allen Winsor ruled that Fried held standing to bring the suit as she holds oversight over both Florida’s concealed carry licenses and medical marijuana programs.

She was joined by two plaintiffs who are registered medical marijuana patients and were barred from purchasing a firearm and a third coplaintiff who is a gun owner with a qualifying medical condition who would like to participate in Florida’s medical marijuana program.

The standing of all plaintiffs was affirmed by Judge Winsor because they suffer direct harms from the Justice Department’s enforcement actions.

The Justice Department, through its Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Division, bars participants in state medical marijuana programs from owning or purchasing a firearm. One method of enforcing this prohibition is the inclusion of a question on ATF background checks about whether the prospective gun buyer uses illegal drugs.

Although marijuana is legal for medical use under some state laws, and for adult use in some states, it remains illegal at the federal level. By contrast, use of federally legal pharmaceuticals with intoxicating characteristics, such as oxycontin, is not necessarily a reason for ATF to deny a gun purchase. Neither is alcohol use.

In court briefings, the department argued that there is a public interest in prohibiting marijuana users from possessing guns and that its regulations are consistent with historical restrictions on the Second Amendment. The department

pointed out that the federal government has previously barred Catholics, Native Americans, panhandlers and the mentally ill from obtaining firearms, so it has adequate historical precedent to bar medical marijuana patients.

The Biden administration received backlash for relying on these comparisons and eventually backed off its claims that marijuana use makes individuals more inclined toward crime. Yet, the administration has continued to argue—in spite of evidence—that medical marijuana patients might be more disposed to engage in domestic violence.

Central to Fried’s claim is that congressional riders to federal appropriations bills specifically restrict the Justice Department from using any financial resources to impair state-regulated medical marijuana programs. Judge Winsor seemingly dismissed this claim prematurely, arguing that the department can bar gun possession because marijuana possession is a federal crime:

Regardless of whether Plaintiffs are prosecuted (or whether Congress allocates funds for their prosecution), possession of marijuana remains a federal crime. The Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment at best precludes prosecution now; it does not forever bless Plaintiffs’ actions.

Winsor’s opinion does not consider that the Justice Department presumably spent financial resources to include its question about marijuana use on ATF background-check forms and pays staff to review these forms. While the department might argue that these enforcement actions are related to regulation of gun ownership and not medical marijuana programs, it clearly has the effect of discriminating against medical marijuana patients using funds appropriated by Congress. On this basis, the

Although marijuana is legal for medical use under some state laws, and for adult use in some states, it remains illegal at the federal level. By contrast, use of federally legal pharmaceuticals with intoxicating characteristics, such as oxycontin, is not necessarily a reason for ATF to deny a gun purchase. Neither is heavy alcohol use.

ATF’s screening of prospective gun buyers on the basis of whether they use marijuana for medical purposes would appear as a clear violation of Congressional appropriations directives.

There is no evidence that medical marijuana patients are any more disposed to engage in violent crime than other groups. To the contrary, the available evidence indicates that medical marijuana is associated with slightly lower crime rates. Fried expressed her disappointment in August that the Justice Department “would perpetuate such harmful and offensive prejudicial stereotypes that cannabis users are dangerous or mentally ill.”

As Fried continues the appeal process, cannabis consumers in Florida and elsewhere should remain highly interested in the outcome. After all, any ruling against the Justice Department could result in positive outcomes for medical marijuana patients across the nation.

Geoffrey Lawrence is director of drug policy, and Adrian Moore is vice president at the Reason Foundation.

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Larry Auerbach is fighting the battle of his life against cancer.

Larry has been a director of duplicate bridge games on Longboat Key for more than 30 years and has been the longest serving instructor of bridge at the Longboat Key Education Center.

Duplicate bridge is competitive bridge, and the games can be contentious. Not so at Larry’s games. They are fun and relaxing, providing many hours of fun for people on Longboat Key and beyond. Larry sets the tone.

Larry was born in West Palm Beach, he has one brother who lives far away and they only get together occasionally. His only means of support are the bridge games and a pension from the U.S. Army, with which he served in Vietnam.

Everyone who was in the military is a hero. Larry has special skills and was chosen to work primarily with the U.S. Marines.

Now Larry is in rehab and is having treatment for his cancer and is trying to resume his bridge games.

Larry has given so much to his

country and to all of us on Longboat Key. Perhaps if you are so inclined, send him a note or a get-well card or drop off an envelope and bring it to one of his 1 p.m. games on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at Longboat Island Chapel.

LONGBOAT ISLAND CHAPEL BRIDGE PLAYERS

Here’s a way to improve air quality

I’ve been a winter resident on Longboat Key for 22 years and have seen a dramatic decline in the air quality, on many days, due to issues from red tide to car and truck exhaust pollution.

There has been a dramatic increase in car/truck traffic over time and the engine exhaust has multiplied along Gulf of Mexico Drive, where many recreational bikers and walkers like to go.  Personally, I am sensitive to air pollution, which causes a headache and nausea.

We may not be able to do much about the additional traffic by the trucks who use Longboat Key as a thoroughfare to get from the north end of Sarasota to the south end. But one small attainable improvement would come from a city ordinance against allowing trucks to idle their engines.

An obvious problem-maker are  Amazon delivery trucks.  As a resident of Islander Club, where there are on average 20-30 deliveries per day, between the two large buildings, the drivers often leave their vehicles idling over 10 minutes, with the door open.

Multiply the diesel exhaust continuously being spewed into the air for hours — unnecessarily, and one could literally see the reason why I’m having trouble breathing as I walk along Gulf of Mexico Drive.

I was told by a UPS delivery man that their company has a policy against their trucks idling.  I was told by an Amazon delivery man that they do not have such a policy.  It appears to me that the town of Longboat Key needs to address this problem.

RUTH MOSS-KATSNELSON LONGBOAT KEY

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Auerbach is a hero in our midst

Courtesy photo

Larry Auerbach has been the director of duplicate bridge games on Longboat Key for more than 30 years.

Evan Stevens and Erin O’Connor

Five questions with Ken Schneier

Ken Schneier will enter his third term on the Longboat Key Town Commission in March 2023 following his reelection without opposition.

He serves the town as mayor and will have the chance again when commissioners vote among themselves on March 20.

He and his wife, Cynthia, retired here in 2009 after a legal career in the New York area working for firms in Morristown, N.J. and Manhattan before a stint at Bank of America.

Longboat Observer Staff Writer

Lauren Tronstad sat down with Schneier recently to discuss his decision to seek a third term and his hopes for the barrier island’s future.

What led to your decision to continue serving on the commission?

I enjoy being on the commission, and I enjoy being mayor. The only thing that made me even hesitate a little bit was the fact that we’ve now got two families outside of Denver: my two sons and daughters-in-law and our four grandchildren ranging in age from 1 to 5. Doing as much as we do makes it a little bit difficult for us to schedule chunks of time out there.

What can or have you learned from Longboat Key’s past?

There were a lot of smart things that were done in the past that we have benefitted from. Maybe the biggest one was the downzoning in the 1980s — which was designed to keep us from looking like Fort Lauderdale — and it succeeded.

Another was to early on put limits on short term rentals, which has made us different from Anna Maria Island and Siesta Key. Now, if you want to put in those kinds of restrictions, you’re not allowed to in the state. We were grandfathered in to be able to keep our rules for nontourist properties. It makes an enormous difference. We are grateful for pieces of our history, grateful for smart things that people did before us. It makes you cognizant of wanting to preserve that goodness.

What is Longboat Key all about? Longboat Key is a very special residential lifestyle. As part of a vibrant, small city community, we’re close to unique in having that combination. To be so close and to have so many amenities … There are a lot of things available here, but for a small city, it’s incredible. The other thing I would say about Longboat Key in particular, unlike some other places that attract well-off people, people here don’t wear it on their sleeves for the most part. You can know someone for five years and then find out they had a tremendous history or did something spectacular, but it’s not a big deal like it is in some other places.

How would you describe your leadership style?  Collegial. I try not to overwhelm people, let everyone have their say, go last and try to keep things moving forward. I don’t like to have an issue that’s before us and too often say “Let’s table it. Let’s workshop it.” I like to get it through as far as

we can. Once everyone has had their say, what I try to do is identify what the issues are that we need to resolve before we go out the door and utilize as much of that time as we can. I like to try to make sure that each issue that is facing us, and there are a lot of them, that we just keep them moving forward.

What is the most pressing issue for Longboat Key moving forward? I’m not sure we have a pressing issue. If you look in Sarasota City, you might say homelessness is a

big issue or affordable housing is a big issue. There are certainly big regional issues … We are fortunate in having probably no pressing issues. We do have a lot of projects that are important to us. Some of them we are in the middle of that we would like to get done, and some of them are on the brink of getting started and we want to get them started.

Lauren Tronstad

Ken Schneier will enter his third term on the Longboat Key Town Commission in March 2023.

THURSDAY, JAN. 12

SPECIAL PROGRAM

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Cybersecurity expert James Goethe presents “How Not to Be Scammed.” He’ll cover viruses, malware and backups. Call 388-8222 to register.

SPEAKER SERIES

5 p.m. at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, 40 N. Adams Drive. Agape Flights transports supplies to missionaries in impoverished countries. Learn more about their mission and hear first-hand experiences from CEO Allen Speer. Call 388-1234 for more information.

MONDAY, JAN. 16

LECTURE SERIES

From 6-7:30 p.m. at the WAVE Center at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway. Mote scientists will discuss exploring blue holes, followed by a Q&A.; $10 for members; $15 for nonmembers. Zoom is also available. Call 388-4441 to register.

TUESDAY, JAN. 17

LECTURE SERIES

From 3-4:30 p.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Doug Knowlton from Bookstore1Sarasota is presenting “How Poetry and Poets Have Affected Our Lives in Unexpected Ways.” $15 for members; $20 for nonmembers. Call 388-8222 to register.

RECURRING EVENTS

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.

MONDAYS

GENTLE CHAIR YOGA

From 9-10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Improve flexibility, strength and overall physical functioning while stabilized in a chair. Eight sessions from Jan. 9 to Feb. 27, $95 for members; $110 for nonmembers. Pay as you go available. Call 383-8222.

STRETCH AND STRENGTHEN

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Focus is on strength training and flexibility for balance. Suzy Brenner leads the class. Fee is $15. 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 top-

ics relevant to seniors. Cost is $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS

PUMPING THE PRIME

From 10-11 a.m. at Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Low-impact cardio and strength exercises to boost metabolism, strengthen muscles and bones. Cost is $10 for members; $15 for nonmembers. Call 361-6411 ext. 2212.

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS

LORD’S WAREHOUSE THRIFT STORE

The thrift store will be open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 6140 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Donations are accepted during business hours. Call 383-4738.

MONDAYS AND FRIDAYS BODY SCULPT

From 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Strength training and body sculpting with weights, resistance bands and towels. Cost is $10 for members; $15 for nonmembers. Call 361-6411 ext. 2212.

TUESDAYS

QI GONG FOR HEALTH AND VITALITY

From 9-10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Improve balance and flexibility, plus loosen joints and relax. Eight sessions from Jan. 10 to Feb. 28, $95 for members; $110 for nonmembers. Pay as you go available. Call 383-8222.

QI GONG

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Qi gong is a mind-body-spirit practice designed to improve mental and physical health. Class is outdoors, weather permitting. Cost is $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

YOGA

From 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Debbie Debile of Feel Good Yoga & Massage leads a gentle yoga class that can be done on a mat or in a chair. Cost is $15; free for members. Call 383-6493.

MAH JONGG

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

ROTARY CLUB

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

TUESDAY AND THURSDAY BREATH BALANCE AND BLISS YOGA

From 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Cost is $10 for members; $15 for nonmembers. Call 361-6411 ext. 2212.

WEDNESDAYS

YOGA POTPOURRI

From 9-10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. A gentle, slow-paced blend of simple yoga postures focusing on balance, alignment, strength, breathwork, flexibility and relaxation. Eight sessions from Jan. 4 to Feb. 22, $70 for members; $80 for nonmembers. Pay as you go available. Call 383-8222.

BEGINNER TAI CHI

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Class is outdoors, weather permitting. Cost is $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 3836493.

THURSDAYS

KIWANIS CLUB OF LONGBOAT KEY

At 8:30 a.m. at Lazy Lobster, 5350 Gulf of Mexico Drive. This service organization meets every first and third Thursday of the month for breakfast and a speaker. Breakfast is $10. Email Lynn Larson at LynnLarson@comcast.net to register.

SLOW FLOW YOGA

From 9-10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Simple yoga routines incorporating a range of several ha-

tha yoga styles for all fitness levels. Eight sessions from Jan. 5 to Feb. 23, $95 for members; $110 for nonmembers. Pay as you go available. Call 383-8222.

ZUMBA AND MAT PILATES FOR SENIORS

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. The class, designed for active seniors, starts with zumba and shifts to all-level mat Pilates at 10:30 a.m. Come for 30 minutes or the full hour. Cost is $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 3836493.

ST. ARMANDS KEY LUTHERAN CHURCH BRIDGE CLUB

Every Thursday beginning at 1 p.m. at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, 40 N. Adams Drive, join an ACBL-sanctioned game of contract bridge with a certified teacher. All skill levels are welcome. There is an $8 suggested donation for each session. Refreshments will be provided. RSVP to 952-9251.

FRIDAYS

INTERMEDIATE TAI CHI

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Reuben Fernandez teaches the class outdoors, weather permitting. Free for members, $15 for nonmembers. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

QI GONG AND MEDITATION

From 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road, take qi gong and meditation with Sandi Love. Free for members; $15 for nonmembers. Call 383-6493.

LUNCHEON 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd. Join the Longboat Key Democratic Club at its monthly luncheon. The topic is “The Right to Choose,” and the guest speaker is former CEO of Planned Parenthood Barbara Zdravecky. $45 includes lunch; nonmembers are welcome. Call (617) 699-3949 to register. File photo

If you want to ensure you stay involved in the goings on of Longboat Key’s town government, look no further for a comprehensive list of public meetings to be held in the next 30 days. To watch Town Commission meetings live, visit LongboatKey.org.

JAN. 17

n Planning and Zoning Board Meeting

When: 9:15 a.m. Where: Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road

JAN. 19

n Special Magistrate Hearing

When: 10 a.m. Where: Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road

JAN. 20

n Sarasota County School Board Convocation of Governments Meeting

When: 8:30 a.m. Where: Suncoast Technical College Conference Center, 4748 Beneva Road JAN. 23

n Town Commission Regular Workshop Meeting When: 1 p.m. Where: Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road

JAN. 26

n ManaSota League of Cities

When: 9:30 Where: Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road

n Development Review Committee Meeting

When: 1 p.m. Where: Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road

JAN. 27

n Investment Advisory/Finance Committee Meeting

When: 1 p.m. Where: Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road

FEB. 6

n Town Commission Regular Meeting

When: 1 p.m. Where: Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road FEB. 8

n Special Magistrate Hearing When: 10 a.m. Where: Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road

FEB. 16

n Zoning Board of Adjustment

When: 9:30 a.m. Where: Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road

FEB. 17

n Consolidated Retirement System Board of Trustees

When: 9 a.m. Where: Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road

THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS

TRIBUTES

George L. Spoll 1933-2022

George L. Spoll, 89, of Longboat Key, FL, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2022, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital following a period of declining health.

A first-generation American, George was born in the Bronx, NY, on November 21, 1933, the oldest of two children and the only son, to, Harry Spoll and Frieda Spoll, who worked hard to achieve the American dream for George and his sister, Grace. Harry and Frieda also instilled in both children the importance of education and hard work. George entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at age 16, where he earned a degree in architecture and building construction, more commonly called architectural engineering. While in college, George met his first wife, Sylvia Steinburg Spoll, whom he married in 1954, and who predeceased him in 1984. In addition to his parents and Sylvia, George was predeceased by his brotherin-law, Dr. James Shepard.

Following college, George and Sylvia moved to Los Angeles, CA, where he worked for Cliff May, an innovative mid-century architect. After a few years, the Spolls moved to West Hartford, CT, and George started Spoll Construction Company and Enviroland Corporation. For more than 40 years, George designed and built executive houses, served as a general

contractor, led residential and commercial renovations, and spearheaded numerous land development initiatives.

In those four plus decades, George was active in state, regional and national Home Builders Associations as a member, director, and officer. He served two Connecticut governors on special planning and zoning commissions and created adaptable housing standards for the disabled. George was a consultant for multiple inner-city housing organizations regarding building and restoration as well as serving as a building code advisor for various governmental bodies. A lifelong interest in consumer affairs led George to become founder and director of the Homeowners’ Warranty Corporation of the United States.

Widely known as a master builder, George earned a lifetime achievement award from the Connecticut Home Builders Association. He delighted in sharing his knowledge and passion for construction and was supremely proud of the numerous newer contractors and tradesmen that he mentored.

George had a lifelong love of the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York where he and Sylvia had a home on Fourth Lake in Old Forge. He met Madelyn Josey there, and she and George were married in 1985. They relocated to Longboat Key in January 1993, finding a vibrant community that afforded the new retirees access to cultural and boating

activities and most of all, a unique sense of character and community.

Throughout his life and wherever he lived, George had a strong commitment to community involvement. In Connecticut, he was active with the Jewish Federation and multiple town committees. In Old Forge, he was president of the Fourth Lake Property Owners Association and served on the Webb Property Owners Association. George participated in an annual lake boat tour and helped raise money for the Old Forge Arts Center, now View. He organized and raised the money to restore the Shoal Point Lighthouse, which now is a working lighthouse.

In Longboat Key, George joined the board of Fairway Bay, his condominium association, and immediately became president, a role he held for more than 10 years. He also was the President of the Longboat Key Federation of Condominiums for several years. He joined the Bay Isles Association Board, serving in leadership roles that led him to serve on the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board, where he was most proud of having worked with the town’s building department to simplify and reduce costs in the permitting process for his fellow citizens. He served from 2004 to 2011, and was Vice Mayor from 2007 to 2008, and Mayor from 2010 to 2011. He was re-elected to the Town Commission in 2016 and served until 2021, and was the Mayor from 2018 to 2020. His legacy includes

legacy includes founding and chairing the Longboat Key Revitalization Task Force, a citizen’s effort to continue to bring success to his adopted hometown for current and future residents.

founding and chairing the Longboat Key Revitalization Task Force, a citizen’s effort to continue to bring success to his adopted hometown for current and future residents.

Left to cherish George’s memory are his wife of 37 years, Madelyn J. Spoll; a daughter, Lisbeth (Beth) S. Coulombe and husband, Marc, of Pittsboro, NC; a son, John Spoll, and wife, Alicia of Amarillo, TX; one grandson, Samuel Spoll, and his wife, Elisha Castro, of Canyon, TX; a sister, Grace S. Shepard of Sherborn, MA; and three nephews, Andrew Shepard and wife, Cheryl, of Winchester, MA; James Shepard and wife, Tamara, of West Newton, MA; and Peter Shepard, and wife, Liz, of Englewood, CO.

DONATIONS: Memorial gifts in George’s name may be directed to the Shoal Point Lighthouse Fund, c/o FLPOA, PO Box 213, Inlet, NY, 13360, or to a charity of your choice.

TOWN OF LONGBOAT KEY NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS JANUARY 17, 2023 OUTLINE DEVELOPMENT PLAN AMENDMENT (QUASI-JUDICIAL) AND SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN (QUASI-JUDICIAL)

Please take notice that public hearings of the Town of Longboat Key’s Planning & Zoning Board will be held at the request of the Town of Longboat Key, Property Owner, for property located at 600 Bay Isles Road. Specifically, the applicant is requesting:

1. An Outline Development Plan amendment to define the allowable uses and development regulations for the property associated with the development of the Town Center Green.

2. A Site Development Plan amendment for Town Plaza, Phase II, allowing for the construction of a pavilion, stage, and accessory structures on the property.

The quasi-judicial public hearings before the Planning and Zoning Board on the Applicant’s Outline Development Plan amendment and Site Development Plan amendment requests will be held on January 17, 2023, at 9:15 a.m., or as soon thereafter as may be heard, in the Town Commission Chambers at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key, Florida. This hearing will be held in accordance with established quasi-judicial procedures.

All interested persons may appear and be heard with respect to the request for Outline Development Plan amendment and Site Development Plan amendment submitted by the Applicant. Copies of the Applicant’s proposals and related material associated with the requests may be viewed at the Planning, Zoning & Building Department, 501 Bay Isles Road, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. weekdays prior to the hearing. Questions may be directed to the Planning, Zoning & Building Department at 316-1966. The proposed amendment will affect property within the corporate boundaries of the Town of Longboat Key as shown on the map appearing at the bottom of this advertisement.

No verbatim record by a certified court reporter is made of these proceedings. Accordingly, any person who may seek to appeal any decision involving the matters noticed herein will be responsible for making a verbatim record of the testimony and evidence at these proceedings upon which any appeal is to be based (see Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes). In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 286.26, Florida Statutes, persons needing a special accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact the Town Clerk’s office at 941-316-1999 forty-eight (48) hours in advance of this proceeding. If you are hearing impaired, please call 941-316-8719.

David Green, Chair, Planning & Zoning Board

Published: 1/12/2023

His

TUESDAY, JAN. 3

SLEEPY TIME

11:20 p.m.,

THURSDAY, DEC. 29

STUCK BUT UNOCCUPIED

9:06 a.m., 2100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Fire assist: Fire and police units responded to residential building on a report of a stuck elevator. They arrived to learn the lift was empty.

FRIDAY, DEC. 30

SELF DE-ESCALATION

11:06 a.m., 500 block of Ranger Lane

Citizen dispute: A pair of neighbors came to a mutual agreement about tree limbs on their properties after police spoke to both of them following a call about a dispute.

SATURDAY, DEC. 31

CLOSING TIME

1:07 a.m., 2600 block of Harbourside Drive

Noise complaint: A police officer responding to a report of a noisy party aboard a docked boat told the gathered crowd of about 30 that the hoopla was over, and it was time to leave. They did so willingly. The host of the party told officers she had invited a few friends over but the party’s address ended up being shared on social media without her

permission. Dozens more uninvited guests showed up. She said she was trying to have everyone leave about the time police arrived.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

11:07 p.m., 3400 block of Winding Oaks Drive

Citizen assist: A homeowner called police to report a burst irrigation pipe that was causing a flood on her property. The water flow had stopped by the time an officer arrived, and the homeowner said she would contact her homeowners’ association in the morning about repairs.

SUNDAY, JAN. 1

FREE CAR WASH

1:09 a.m., 5400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Citizen assist: An officer on patrol encountered a unexpected fountain of water spraying across Gulf of Mexico Drive. Upon further inspection, he ascertained the problem was a broken sprinkler head. Before the officer could report the problem to Public Works, the water flow ended, but he reported the break nevertheless.

LITERALLY!

1:19 a.m., 4400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Fire assist: Fire and police responded to a reported Dumpster fire. Both sets of first responders arrived, and fire-rescue personnel extinguished the blaze. Police assistance was not needed.

SITTIN’ BY THE DOCK FOR A DAY

6 p.m., 700 block of Broadway Street

Abandoned vehicle: The management of a restaurant called police to report a boat that had been tied up to its dock for about 24 hours in violation of a sign that reads “No overnight docking.” Police were able to find the owner of the vessel, who did not know it had been there. The owner of the boat agreed to move it immediately.

LOOK, UP IN THE SKY 11:21 p.m., 7000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Fireworks: An officer was sent to the north end of the island on a report of fireworks being set off. He neither saw nor heard fireworks but spoke with a group of people riding in a golf cart, and they reported seeing fireworks over Bradenton Beach on the other side of Longboat Pass during the same time frame.

MONDAY, JAN. 2 NOT SO FAST 1:33 p.m., Greer Island beach Dog on the beach: A police officer watched as a man stepped off his beached boat and tried to bring his dog to shore. The officer explained the town’s rules on dogs and beaches. The man said he did not know about the town’s dog-beach rules and returned to his boat.

STILL GENERATING COMPLAINTS 8:18 p.m., 600 block of Cedar Street Noise complaints from water: A resident called police over an ongoing situation involving noise from a moored boat’s generator. The officer took written statements about the ongoing issue and flashed his flashlight at the boat, which resulted in a person aboard the boat shutting down the generator. The officer ascertained the noise rose to the level of a town-ordinance violation. The witness statements were placed

into evidence and the town’s marine patrol officer was notified about the violation.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 4 AT YOUR SERVICE

10:57 a.m., 400 block of Firehouse Court Citizen assist: An officer helped a homeowner shut off the water supply to a bathroom fixture that would not stop running and was overflowing. The officer recommended to the homeowner that she call a plumber to repair the problem with the fixture.

THURSDAY, JAN. 5

TROUBLE

WITH THE NEW WHEELS

2:30 p.m., 4300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Citizen assist: A resident called police seeking help for a problem with a South Florida car dealership from which he had purchased a vehicle. The man said the dealership told him it was sending a tow truck to retrieve the vehicle because the previous owner had not completed the required ownership-transfer paperwork. The man said he had not received his money back and that he had made thousands of dollars’ worth of upgrades to the vehicle, and the dealership was not being cooperative. The officer explained the situation was not a police matter and that an attorney would likely be needed to help sort through the civil issue.

BACK WHERE THEY BELONG

6:10 p.m., 4000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Found property: A set of keys turned in to a town employee at a park eventually were returned to their owner. An officer on patrol through the park was approached by the employee and handed him the keys given to her. The keys were brought to police headquarters for safe keeping. The next morning, a police department employee spoke to a person on the phone who inquired about a lost set of keys and was able to correctly describe them.

A relative came to the police department with confirming identification and retrieved the property from the police department’s front desk.

100 block of Broadway Street

Suspicious vehicle: An officer spotted a parked car in a lot with a sleeping man behind the wheel. The man told the officer he was taking a break and fell asleep. The officer explained he could not stay there because the lot closed to the public 20 minutes earlier. The man then left.

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Eye on war

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

Allan Mestel says his wife describes him as a housebound feral cat.

Without a new project or destination, “I start tearing up the furniture and scratching at the windows,” he joked.

But what he is doing is serious work, and the places he goes are often dangerous. The former TV commercial director is now a freelance human rights photographer in his spare time.

He was in Minneapolis after George Floyd’s death and during Derek Chauvin’s trial. He flew to Uvalde, Texas after the mass shooting at an elementary school. He’s been on both sides of the border between the United States and Mexico photographing migrants.

And he’s been to Ukraine twice since the Russian invasion in February 2022. Mestel’s photographs have won awards and been featured in the New York Times, on CNN and in an NBC documentary. He recently shared some photographs with the Longboat Observer and sat down to recount his travels along the border and inside the country.

Mestel and his wife, Robyne, own Beach Fitness in Whitney Plaza. He says he’s always had a passion for human rights and photography. By 10, he’d already converted his grandmother’s hall closet into a dark room. Photography remained a hobby throughout his life, but it didn’t become a focus until he left

the advertising business behind.

In 2014, the couple moved from Toronto, Canada, to Bradenton and opened up shop on the north end of Longboat Key. With Robyne spearheading the gym, Mestel opened a photography studio a few doors down. The portrait studio stayed in the plaza for three years but has since relocated to Florida Boulevard in Bradenton.

With a supportive wife holding down the fort for their two children, ages 10 and 13, Mestel flew to Krakow, Poland, only three weeks after the initial invasion to photograph the exodus of refugees.

In the style of street photography, those images capture the upheaval and uncertainty. Mestel’s photographs convey the toll of war through eyes and posture versus destruction and crowds.

But even a photo of a traffic jam has a story to tell. One, in particular, captures the kindness of strangers in

the worst of times. The cars at a dead stop, the line stretches toward the horizon and around a curve. None of them are public buses or army transport vehicles, the drivers are regular Joe’s from surrounding countries offering their help.

They used their own cars and rented buses, traveling for days to reach the border. At the front of the line, drivers stated what country they were returning to and the Polish military matched them with refugees who had relatives in that country. Passengers fled with one bag or whatever they could carry.

“The Polish army was getting them organized, getting people directly from the border, and almost immediately, they’d get clothed, they’d get fed,” Mestel said. “They’d get resources made available to them as they came across the border, but (the army) kept them moving from the border to other places, so they didn’t develop a backlog.”

Soldiers performed beyond their duties. One soldier caught Mestel’s eye because he never saw her without a baby. The babies would change, but her arms never stopped rocking.

CROSSING THE BORDER

Mestel didn’t cross the border into Ukraine during his first trip. In July, he did. The first and last sounds he heard upon entering and leaving the country were air raid alerts. He heard that sound every day for three weeks, but the visual that most struck him was the blue and yellow Ukrainian flag.

“(The Russians) are doing their best to simply demoralize them. They’ve got all these destroyed buildings, but they’re not being demoralized,” he said. “You see the Ukrainian flag everywhere.”

A few days after photographing a Ukrainian air force monument in the town center of Vinnytsia, the city was destroyed by cruise missiles. Mestel was in Odessa by then, where he says he was only “semi-arrested and interrogated.”

“By the time it was all over, the guy shook my hand,” he said, “But some

guy photographing a police station that’s fortified, it could be anyone.”

The fear was that he was photographing a target for a future attack. Outside of a few close calls, Mestel got lucky. Although this time around there was more destruction than people to photograph. If he saw people on the streets, they weren’t walking. They were hurrying to get back off the streets.

Mestel visited a hospital in Serhiivka, where he met a group of 20-somethings disfigured from shrapnel. They were attending a graduation party when the hotel was struck by a bomb. They were lucky too. Not all their friends survived.

“This is not collateral damage on a military target,” Mestel said. “What you have is the Russians waging an illegal, strategic war on the civilian population of Ukraine, and the Ukrainians are not reciprocating. The Ukrainians are just defending their territory by fighting the invading army.”

Mestel saw homes collapsed and civilian cars riddled by machine gun bullets. He saw “miha” spray painted on buildings where land mines were identified but not yet recovered by minesweepers. Yet the people make him want to return.

“I’d like to go back and use some of my contacts over there to get into some of the hospitals, rehabs and homes and focus on trying to present more human stories about the people who have been affected by this war.”

Beach Fitness owner Allan Mestel has traveled to Ukraine twice since the Russian invasion began last year.

A young man recovering from shrapnel injuries after a hotel was bombed.

A civilian vehicle riddled with bullet holes.

These days, Allan Mestel usually has a camera in hand.

This day care was bombed at night; no children were inside.

Photos courtesy of Allan Mestel

Ukrainians welcomed on Longboat for a merry Christmas

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued a report in December that indicates more than 82,000 Ukrainian refugees are cleared to stay for up to two years in the United States. Some of those refugees landed in the local area, and Longboat Key neighbors were happy to support them over the holidays.  Irina LaRose has been selling handmade items to benefit Ukrainian relief out of her hair salon Design 2000 since the war broke out. Before Christmas, her work neighbor’s 13-year-old daughter saw an opportunity to pitch in. Lark Rippy’s mom, Heather, owns Driftwood Beach Home & Garden. Rippy set up a gift wrapping station outside

the boutique and raised $270.  LaRose also coordinated a Ukrainian-themed Christmas tree to be decorated for the Longboat Island Chapel’s monthlong Christmas in the Garden event. When a Ukrainian friend of LaRose’s asked if the chapel would host a Christmas party for refugee children, the answer was yes.

Chapel member Lesley Rife arrived to see about 25 children playing in the garden. They didn’t speak English. It was their first Christmas away from home, but they were singing, dancing and enjoying the moment.

Boris Tsatskin is a local saxophone player who was already booked to perform in the garden but not on that day. He dropped the sax and played Did Moroz (Father Frost) instead. Did’s attire is similar to his American counterpart Santa, but the coat is dark blue with white embroidery and stretches to the floor. Tsatskin led the partygoers in a conga line.

Funds raised are being donated to the Danube International Company, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Call (727) 6444839 for information or to make a donation.

Several

Longboat Key residents helped raise money and host Ukrainian refugees over the holidays.

Lesley Dwyer

Lark Rippy wraps presents to raise money for Ukrainian relief.

Special guest surprises at TBI’s Shabbat service

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

“Bashert” is a Yiddish term, meaning a soulmate who is “meant to be.”  April Glasco, the founder and CEO of Second Chance Last Opportunity, was “bashert” indeed when she spoke Jan. 6 at Temple Beth Israel’s Shabbat service.

“I didn’t know she was going to be here tonight,” said Rabbi Howard Simon of Sarasota’s Temple EmanuEl. “We came here tonight because it’s the anniversary of my brother’s death, and I want to say kaddish (mourner’s prayer) for my brother, and my April is standing here, and I think ‘Oh my lord.’ ”

The two traveled to Israel together and laughed heartily over the looks they received, but the odd couple wasn’t traveling alone. Simon led three  trips to Israel for non-Jewish clergy and community leaders.

He took between 30 to 40 people on each trip. One year, there were a number of Catholic clergy in attendance who, upon seeing the Jordan River, wanted to be baptized again. The question was who would perform the baptism.

“They looked at me and said, ‘You know we talked it over. Jesus was a rabbi, you’re a rabbi, you’ll do,’” Simon said. “I did the prayers for the Catholics as they got baptized. They were special, special journeys.”

Simon invited Glasco along in 2010 after hearing about her  contributions to Sarasota’s Newtown community. SCLO opened in 1995 and has continued to expand its outreach services since. Plans for 2023 include moving their emergency food services into an air conditioned building.

“Our clients come from a dark pit of hopelessness to being no longer homeless and to seeing a better and brighter future. They move from not eating for days to having healthy food to eat,” Glasco said. “The greatest principle that they have learned through Second Chance is love, peace and hope. Individuals are provided with tools and skills to be encouraged to further their education, live a better life and become a productive citizen.”

Temple members started supporting SCLO in 2020 through the Flanzer Trust Match program and donations of food and clothing every six weeks.

Founder and CEO of Second Chance Last Opportunity spoke and sang.

Lesley Dwyer

April Glasco takes over for the choir and sings gospel.

National Congress

Education Center opens single-session series

The Thursday series begins with a range of topics from scams to senior sexuality.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel is more than its name implies. One, it’s secular. Temple members are automatically given membership, but anyone can attend with or without a membership. And two, students don’t have to commit to traditional courses that run a full semester. The center offers oneof-a-kind lectures, discussions and concerts.

The topic got a little spicy on Jan. 5 to kick off the Thursday one-off series. Titled “Sex, Sexuality and Intimacy in the Senior Years: The Joys and Challenges,” the lecture was led by a panel of experts in the fields of marriage and family therapy, sex therapy, psychotherapy, urology and gynecology.

About 50 people attended in person and another 20 on Zoom.

“This is the beginning of a conversation that needs to happen, and we really need to stop hiding the fact that we are sexual beings,” sex therapist Peggy Albano said. “We need to create a safe environment, which is what we did here, for people to be able to have a forum where they can talk about a very important part of their life.”

Kate Coopersmith has attended a few programs at the center on her own before, but this one, she was invited to by a neighbor. Both women are widows. Coopersmith’s husband died on Valentine’s Day last year after a three-year battle with cancer. She says he chose that day so she’d never forget it.

“(My neighbor) gave me the inspiration and the courage to go ahead and think about life instead of death,” Coopersmith said. “What brought me here was a determination to honor a long term, beautiful marriage by living instead of dying with him, which is what I did, and

now I’m not.”

Programs are scheduled for every Thursday in January. The next topic is how to avoid scams. Instructor James Goethe is a cybersecurity expert. The following week, area art critics will gather for a discussion called “The Art of Criticism.” A Q&A with panel members follows.

And finishing out the month is a bipartisan discussion titled, “Is America at Risk from the Left or the Right?”

ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS

Call 383-8222 for prices and registration.

FRIDAY CONCERTS

n Jan. 20 from 5-6:30 p.m.

The Barbara Jordan Quintet

n Jan. 27 from 3-4:30 p.m.

From Stage to Silver Screen

n Feb. 17 from 5-6:30 p.m.

The Thomas Carabasi Jazz Quintet

n Feb. 24 from 3-4:15 p.m.

Famous Composers and Their Muses SUNDAY SHOWCASES

n Jan. 22 from 3-4:30 p.m.

Joyful Songs for a Joyful Day

n Feb. 5 from 3-4:30 p.m.

Hallelujah, Leonard Cohen and Friends n Feb. 26 from 3-4:30 p.m.

A Salute to the Flute n March 12 from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe n March 26 from 4-5:30 p.m.

The Chamber Orchestra of Sarasota

Professor J. Cohn MD, FACC, FAHA Vice President of the International Society for Cardiovascular Disease

Program Co-Director

Lesley Dwyer

The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel holds a panel discussion on Thursday called “Sex, Sexuality and Intimacy in the Senior Years.”

Lido Shores home sells for $6.6 million

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

Ahome on Lido Shores tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Roberta Hill Barrett, of Clermont, sold the home at 1475 John Ringling Parkway to Kyle Simmons, of Sarasota, for $6.66 million. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,936 square feet of living area. It sold for $2 million in 2010.

POSITANO

T Capital Partners II LP sold the Unit 401 condominium at 4985 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Teresa Walsh and Thomas Walsh, trustees, of Longboat Key, for $4.6 million. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,344 square feet of living area. It sold for $3.1 million in 2018.

VIZCAYA AT LONGBOAT KEY

Ann Whitney, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 1B2 condominium at 2333 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Charles Carey and Sallie Carey, trustees, of Longboat Key, for $2,975,000. Built in 1997, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,961 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.6 million in 2000.

LIDO BEACH

Lindall and Amber Stinson, of Sarasota, sold their home at 210 Grant Drive to Matthew and Jessica Cullinan, of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, for $2,475,000. Built in 1960, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,001 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,125,000 in 2020.

VILLA DI LANCIA

Vickie Carr, trustee, sold the Unit 213 condominium at 2185 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Kathleen Hecker, trustee, of Glenview, Illinois, for $2,065,000. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,445 square feet of living area. It sold for $743,000 in 1997.

TANGERINE BAY CLUB

Michael and Karen Keane, of Darien, Connecticut, sold their Unit 225 condominium at 350 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Gary and Tambra Praznik, of Longboat Key, for $1.59 million. Built in 1992, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,210 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.6 million in 2022.

LIDO BEACH CLUB

Doehring Lido Beach Condo LLC sold the Unit 1202 condominium at 1212 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Timothy and Sheryl Moore, of Center Harbor, New Hampshire, for $1.4 million. Built in 1974, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,532 square feet of living area. It sold for $69,000 in 1974.

THE BEACHES

OF LONGBOAT KEY-SOUTH

Donald and Kathleen Semisch, of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, sold their Unit 604 condominium at 775 Longboat Club Road to Judd and Laura Powell, of Dayton, Ohio, for $1,255,000. Built in 1984, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,602 square feet of living area. It sold for $450,000 in 2000.

PELICAN HARBOUR & BEACH CLUB

Jack and Kathleen Wakely, of Longboat Key, sold their Unit O-1 condominium at 4234 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Lance and Margaret Elson, of Longboat Key, for $1,165,000. Built in 1973, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,636 square feet. It sold for $730,000 in 2020.

ST. ARMANDS TOWERS

John and Brenda Steel, of Riverview, sold their Unit 26 condominium at 101 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Eugene Andrew Tomashosky and Christina Tomashosky, of Sarasota, for $1,075,000. Built in 1968, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,275 square feet of living area. It sold for $623,000 in 2016.

BEACHPLACE

Richard and Irene Tansey, trustees, of Acworth, Georgia, sold the Unit 401 condominium at 1085 Gulf of Mexico Drive to PAR Holdings LLC for $1 million. Built in 1981, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,172 square feet of living area. It sold for $400,000 in 2016.

AVIGNON VILLAS

Bardev and Ellen Kapila, of Kingston, New York, sold their Unit 1 condominium at 5611 Gulf of Mexico Drive to KW Key Properties LLC for $879,000. Built in 1985, it has

four bedrooms, two baths and 2,207 square feet of living area. It sold for $210,000 in 1991.

SEAPLACE

Lynn Gaworski, trustee, of Waukesha, Wisconsin, sold the Unit M1-505-H condominium at 2045 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Andrew Glaub and Ann Ahern Glaub, of Longboat Key, for $780,000. Built in 1974, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,265 square feet of living area. It sold for $114,500 in 1998.

LONGBOAT HARBOUR

Robert Stanley Russell, trustee, of Longboat Key, sold the Unit 104 condominium at 4320 Falmouth Drive to Robert James Alpers II and Louelle Dahmen Alpers, of Avon, Minnesota, for $655,000. Built in 1969, it has one bedroom, one bath and 667 square feet of living area. It sold for $137,000 in 1998.

In with the new

Courtesy Peter Laughlin/Premier Sotheby’s International Realty

The property overlooks New Pass between Lido Shores and Longboat Key.

THE SANCTUARY 535 SANCTUARY DR., #A603 LONGBOAT KEY, FL $3,195,000

This immaculate residence was painstakingly renovated from top to bottom, offering city, 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.

THE SANCTUARY 545 SANCTUARY DR., #B506 LONGBOAT KEY, FL $2,495,000

Bright, spacious, open and beautifully kept 3BR/2.5BA residence with panoramic views of the city skyline, across Sarasota by and along the fairways of the Links golf course from a large, open terrace. Popular Brittany floor plan, further enhanced with the opening up of the kitchen for a seamless flow through dining and living areas.

January

JUDY KEPECZ-HAYS TEAM

JUDY KEPECZ-HAYS TEAM SARABANDE

LONGBOAT KEY TOWERS

340 South Palm Ave #75

601 Longboat Club Rd #603S

2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car garage | 1,458 Sq Ft

3 bed, 3.5 bath | 2,761 Sq Ft www.Sarabande75.com

Offered for $2,888,000

Enjoy sunrises and sunsets! Bright great room, dining area facing private beach and community pool. Washer/dryer in kitchen area offers convenience and comfort with side door access to the entry hallway and semiprivate elevator.

www.LBKtowers603S.com

Offered for $2,000,000

This stunning contemporary home is on Palm Avenue, in the heart of downtown. Instant enjoyment is yours in this 3 bedroom en-suite plus a powder room with a bonus of 2 underbuilding parking spaces & storage. Stunning views with wraparound, floor-to-ceiling windows, & doors bringing the outside in. Just a short walk to Marina Jack, restaurants, the opera, theaters, & Whole Foods Market!

PARK

RESIDENCES

MARBLEHEAD

OF LIDO KEY

2509 Marblehead Drive

159 Taft Dr #E305

3 bed, 3.5 bath | 2,869 Sq Ft www.2509MarbleheadDrive.com Offered for $1,185,000

3 bed, 3 bath | 2,500 Sq Ft

PLUS a 2,250 sq ft Private Rooftop Terrace with wrap-around views. Directly across from the Gulf of Mexico and features a resort-style heated swimming pool and spa, two under-building parking spaces with an additional storage room, and is overlooking the 110acre waterfront south Lido Park Reserve.

Be amazed at every detail in this beautiful upgraded home in the heart of Sarasota. Quiet location within walking distance to Riverview High School a short distance to Phillippi Shores Elementary, Landings Shopping Center, downtown & Siesta Keys' world-famous beach. This home is beyond expectation and ready for instant enjoyment!

www.159taftdriveE305.com

Offered for $3,500,000 – Furnished

THE STRAND

1709 N Tamiami Trl Unit #221

1709 N Tamiami Trl Unit #221

1 bed, 1.5 bath | 1,013 Sq Ft

1 bed, 1.5 bath | 1,013 Sq Ft www.1709NTamiami221.com

Offered for $625,000 - Furnished

Exquisite water views from the long canal that leads out to Sarasota Bay. The Strand is a private gated community offering a resort style pool and spa , fitness center, dog park, EV charging station, boardwalk, and a kayak and paddle-board launch. Get ready to create lasting memories!

www.1709NTamiami221.com

Offered for $625,000 - Furnished

This incredible one bedroom, one and half bath condo features exquisite water views from the long canal that lead out to Sarasota Bay. The Strand is a private gated community offering a resort style pool and spa , fitness center, dog park, EV charging station, boardwalk, and a kayak and paddle-board launch. Get ready to create lasting memories!

BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST

FRIDAY, JAN. 13

High: 67 Low: 49

Chance of rain: 77%

SATURDAY, JAN. 14

High: 56 Low: 45

Chance of rain: 1%

SUNDAY, JAN. 15

High: 63 Low: 49

Chance of rain: 1%

TIDES

SUNRISE / SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Jan. 12 7:22a 5:55p

Friday, Jan. 13 7:21a 5:56p

Saturday, Jan. 14 7:21a 5:57p

Sunday, Jan. 15 7:21a 5:58p

Monday, Jan. 16 7:21a 5:59p

Tuesday, Jan. 17 7:21a 5:59p

Wednesday, Jan. 18 7:21a 6:00p

MOON PHASES

Jan. 21 New Feb. 5 Full Jan. 28 First Feb. 13 Last

Thursday, Jan. 12 2:17a 3:58p 10:03a 10:14p

Friday, Jan. 13 3:17a 4:26p 10:34a 11:31p

Saturday, Jan. 14 4:35a 4:58p 11:05a

Sunday, Jan. 15 6:21a 5:34p 12:50a 11:36a

Monday, Jan. 16 8:41a 6:16p 2:07a 12:04p

Tuesday, Jan. 17 7:06p 3:17a

Wednesday, Jan. 18 8:02p 4:19a

By Luis Campos

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

Diane

Beach.

Two unique homes with large group of Asian & African artifacts. New Guinea, Tibet, China, Peru, Morocco & more; Chinese screens, items from Sea Hag & Ginny’s & Jane E’s. Mosaic furniture & yard art; tables, glass, stepping stones, etc. Fiesta ware, Vitamix, gladiola vases, craft beads & supplies, tools, rock tumblers, glass kiln (used once), birthing stool & chair of life 101, Tibetan altar table, 3 Indonesian round marble top tables, vintage Chinese campaign chair, 2 Corbusier leather chairs, 20 -30 legal bookcases, Tropical furniture, 2 paddle boards (one repaired) 3 kayaks - 1 is brand new 11 feet –“Ocean Kayak” 1 -2 persons, 1 is “Ocean Kyak” 1 person, 1 is new “Ocean Kayak” green; 2 yak boards, 16 foot 1980’s Sun sh sailboat, Water Wheeler electric paddle boat & canopy - trolling motor replaced; 2021 Star golf &