Longboat Observer 1.19.23

LONGBOAT

Observer

Pickleball’s newest fans.

Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978

PAGE 18

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

FREE • THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

VOLUME 45, NO. 24

YOUR TOWN

Traffic season’s new reasons Fresh set of road obstacles team up to slow travel to the north and south. SEE PAGE 3

Lauren Tronstad

“Katou,” painted by Marie Therese Lacroix, is one of 31 pieces of artwork on display in the town hall exhibit.

New art hangs in Town Hall New art is now on display in Longboat Key Town Hall.

Thirty-one pieces have been set out, and interested individuals can pick up an informational sheet that lists the artist, name of the piece and price.

Many of the artists have multiple pieces on display, and prices range from $75 to $3,400.

A majority of this selection of art features colorful foliage, birds and landscapes.

The artwork pictured above was painted by Marie Therese Lacroix and is titled “Katou.”

The piece is being sold for $2,900.

Lacroix has two other pieces in the exhibit entitled “The Genius Love Bird” and “The Love Bird Ibis.”

FOR THE BIRDS Longboat couple spends hours of their retirement helping the island’s feathered friends. SEE PAGE 16

Courtesy photo

Heather and Ray Sellers work together over the side of a seawall to rescue a dehydrated juvenile turkey vulture.

Lesley Dwyer

Robert Jendelund is the new contract tennis pro at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center.

A+E

Police point toward state’s OK

Court presence

With an overflow of tennis lesson requests, the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center has welcomed a new contract teaching pro, Robert Jendelund.

“I’m here pretty much every day, whenever they book me, but I play everywhere,” Jendelund said.

Jendelund grew up in Sweden and has been playing tennis since he was 6 years old.

He’s been in the United States for 18 years. He spent four in Savannah, Georgia, playing tennis for Armstrong Atlantic State University and the next 14 in New York at the CityView Racquet Club on Long Island.

Jendelund has more than 20 years of teaching experience.

Call 316-8367 to book a lesson.

All for one, one for all.

INSIDE

File photo

Police Chief George Turner brings previous accreditation experience to the department.

Contract signed to kick off formal examination of department.

SEE PAGE 2

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

Police accreditation review is underway State inspectors are expected to spend time with the department observing and researching how it does its job before making a recommendation.

LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

T

he Longboat Key Police Department is now officially under review for at least the next year.

The department has been preparing for such a review with the state for the past six months as leaders update policies and ensure they are in compliance with all state statutes.

January 4 was a milestone in the process, for the contract with the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation was signed, starting the formal review.

“I know the chief has a goal to earn the accreditation status in less than two years and believes that we are in a position to do so,” Town Manager Tom Harmer wrote in an e-mail to commissioners. “It typically takes at least a year from this point so that the department can demonstrate a year of tracking and monitoring of all of the activities that are evaluated as part of the process.”

A team from the accreditation commission will come to the department and analyze and observe everything the department does, Police Chief George Turner said.

The team will take notes on what is done well and what needs improvement before deciding whether to recommend the department for accreditation.

The department’s staff will then go in front of a state accreditation board made up of members appointed by the governor, which includes mem-

bers of law enforcement. The board will go through the report from the commission before voting on whether to award the accreditation.

Accreditation lasts three years before the department is visited again with higher standards to meet to achieve the status again. The process continues every three years to maintain the accreditation.

“It’s a never-ending process,” Turner said. “It’s about police professionalism and wanting to keep up with the laws.”

Once completed, the accreditation marks approval from an outside authority that the department is living up to the standards that have been set.

A sampling of the points to be examined by the state board: n A written directive that regulates the types of off-duty employment in which agency members may or may not engage n A written directive that requires that members receive copies of and are instructed in the agency’s use of force policy before they are authorized to carry lethal or less-lethal weapons n A written directive describes the proper use of the following equipment during emergency and nonemergency situations: emergency lights; sirens; hazard warning lights; spotlights, if equipped; and public address systems, if equipped n A written directive establishes an incident reporting system to include: guidelines for when reports must be written, forms to be used, information required, procedures for completing incident reports, procedures for submitting and processing incident reports, and documented supervisory review n Access to evidence areas is controlled to prevent the alteration, unauthorized removal, theft or other compromise of evidence stored by

File photo

the agency and to maintain chain of custody The Baranick Foundation in 2021 awarded the town a grant of $274,850 over a three-year period toward the goal of gaining accreditation.

In 2020, philanthropists Margery and Charles Barancik were killed in a crash involving their personal car and a Longboat Key police officer responding to a call.

Sarasota Police, investigating the crash, found that Officer Jeffrey Vogt was not at fault, but an internal investigation that led to his firing found Vogt’s Ford Explorer police SUV hit 84 mph before braking, beyond the town’s speed standard set up for optimum visual conditions in a 45 mph zone. The crash took place 17 minutes after sunset.

Early in Harmer’s discussions with the foundation about the grant, previous Police Chief Pete Cumming

announced his retirement. His replacement, Kelli Smith, stayed on the job about six months before leaving for a job at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers.

From that point forward, an emphasis was placed on hiring a new chief that had documented Florida accreditation experience. Turner has accreditation and reaccreditation experience in his former roles, as well as being a past state certified Accreditation Manager and Accreditation Assessor.

Longboat Key Police Department is the last in the area to apply for the recognition. Bradenton Police Department has been accredited since 2003. Manatee Sheriff’s Office has been accredited since 1996 along with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. The Sarasota Police Department achieved the status for the first time in 2002.

Police Chief George Turner brings previous accreditation experience to the department.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

LIGHTS AND SIREN

The ability of emergency personnel to respond to (and return from) emergencies remains a concern for town leaders.

“If we have an unstable patient, the paramedics have the ability to get the patient to the hospital using their lights and siren,” Fire Chief Paul Dezzi wrote in an email. “We have not had any major issues with getting patients to the hospital. Getting back to the island is our concern, but we have not had any consistent issues or concerns, currently.”

The department has aid agreements with neighboring counties to assist when town personnel are off the island.

“The residents of Longboat Key are lucky in that the Fire Rescue Department operates with all members being paramedics,’’ Dezzi said. “Even if the two ambulances are off the island, the fire trucks have the same medical equipment as the ambulances with the exception of a stretcher.”

Backups heading south into St. Armands Circle are common, but few complaints were registered this holiday season.

THE WINTER OF OUR (TRAFFIC) DISCONTENT The town is preparing for traffic troubles on both ends of the island this winter season.

LAUREN TRONSTAD | STAFF WRITER

A

nyone visiting Longboat Key is no stranger to traffic, especially this time of year. As

snowbirds fly south for the winter and vacationers seek refuge from the frigid North, digital road maps often turn red, along with the faces of those who can’t move.

That’s basic math: more cars, same number of roads.

This year, however, a few new suspects have made their way into town to make the usual headache worse at times.

ROUNDABOUT AT U.S. 41 AND GULFSTREAM AVENUE

The roundabout, which motorists may have expected to ease traffic congestion, has caused its fair share of road rage a few weeks after celebrating its official opening.

Angry drivers flocked to social media and into government inboxes to let others know of their troubles with the circle, specifically Jan. 10, when an eastbound lane was closed midday for crews to install concrete islands and curbing.

Longboat Key Town commissioners expressed their concern with the Florida Department of Transportation’s decision when timing lane closures in emails with representatives from the department.

“I continue to receive calls and texts about the wretched situation created by FDOT taking eastbound traffic to one lane,” Commissioner BJ Bishop wrote in an email. “Many expressed concern with the cavalier stance taken by FDOT, stating a small cement pour justified citizens missing chemo appointments, missing planes and being paralyzed in traffic for hours. I took an oath to ensure the health, welfare and safety of our citizens. I am sure your superiors did the same. That mission failed miserably this week. It cannot happen again.”

Commissioner Mike Haycock also wrote to the town’s FDOT representative.

“We all know the challenges the winter season brings to traffic and were happy to hear two years ago that the Gulfstream roundabout would be complete before this year’s winter residents arrive,” he wrote. “I understand that did not happen due to (COVID-19), supply chain issues and weather disruptions. What I don’t understand is why the FDOT project managers would shut down

ing traffic flow. In addition, certain tasks on our projects have different requirements, from when work should occur to how many lanes are needed to be closed to perform the work.”

FDOT leaders did tell Sarasota officials, who took the brunt of the outrage, that they would do better to inform them of future needs to disrupt traffic.

ST. ARMANDS WINTER FESTIVAL

Much of the town raised concerns about the St. Armands Winter Festival, which lasted from Thanksgiving weekend to New Years.

Ahead of the event, in hopes of playing a role in halting it, Mayor Ken Schneier wrote a letter on behalf of the town and its residents to then city of Sarasota Mayor Erik Arroyo and the Florida Department of Transportation.

“While the occasional two-day programs managed by the Merchants’ Association with FDOT oversight have on balance benefited the local communities, the length and intensity of the proposed festival, promoted and organized as it has been outside of normal procedures and guidelines, could create havoc for those attempting to travel between Sarasota and the barrier islands during such a busy time,” he wrote.

However, Schneier said he did not receive any calls or emails from residents about traffic concerns relating to the event.

“I heard virtually no complaints at all about the fest,” he said. “There were some traffic issues getting downtown, but I am not sure any of them centered on getting around St. Armands.”

BRADENTON BEACH PROPOSAL

Photos by Eric Garwood

Town officials have been concerned for years about the impact of traffic congestion through Bradenton Beach, north of Longboat Key.

BRADENTON BEACH SEWER LINE A more pressing issue for traffic on the north end, Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier said, is a sewer line project planned for south Bradenton Beach through fall 2024.

Traffic direction is anticipated to be shifted into beach parking areas to make room for work.

“That’s another project we will be watching very closely,” he said. “It will likely cause some disruptions.”

any lanes during rush hour. They had to know that they would create traffic backlogs that would take several hours to clear. I live in the middle of LBK on Gulf of Mexico Drive, and there were 5- 6-mile traffic jams going both north and south.”

The entire roundabout complex was anticipated to open late last year. Monthly updates with the contractor, CDM Smith, consistently projected completion sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but the state’s response to Hurricane Ian upended some of those plans as materials, equipment

and manpower were diverted south to address emergency infrastructure repairs.

That delay caused the contractor to focus on opening the traffic circle by itself by the end of the year, which it did, leaving the finishing touches extending into this spring.

“The Florida Department of Transportation understands the impact motorists experience when disruptions on roadways occur,” reads a statement from FDOT following the backup. “Project teams must balance completing necessary work at the same time as maintain-

Although steps still remain between idea and reality, town commissioners still fear the possibility of a hotel being built at the roundabout on Bridge Street at Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach and its effect on one of the most bottlenecked stretches of road on the barrier islands.

Drawings submitted to the town of Bradenton Beach by Luttrell Architectural LLC of Tampa show a 103room hotel measuring over 206,000 square feet.

The plans include three floors for guest rooms, a retail space, offices, a gym, a coffee bar and miniature golf.

Plans for the rooftop feature a swimming pool and outdoor deck.

“I would hope the town’s approach to St. Armands would be the same on the north end,” Vice Mayor Maureen Merrigan said at the Jan. 9 commission meeting, alluding to public statements of opposition.

Schneier said that part of the decision to back St. Armands was after request and feedback from resident groups and the merchant association. He has yet to receive the same sort of urging from anyone on the north end.

As the idea is in its earliest stages, he also said it was difficult to comment on the matter when little was known.

“We’re going to watch it closely,” he said.

“I plan to watch it pretty carefully.”

Sarasota Observer reporter Andrew Warfield contributed reporting to this story.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

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he New Pass groin-tightening project, originally to begin this month, will likely have to wait until after the 2023 sea turtle nesting season has wrapped up in the fall, town officials said.

The town expected to receive permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in late 2022 to begin the work this winter.

But even as the new year began, the paperwork still had not arrived, said Longboat Key Public Works Department Programs Director Charlie Mopps.

While the window on beginning the work this turtle off-season remains open if permits arrive soon, town officials are making plans to wave off until late 2023 should permitting not arrive.

YOU MIGHT HAVE NOTICED Recently on the barrier island’s beaches, high escarpments have been noted along the town’s beaches with some spots taller than children and even some adults.

Such escarpments are normal for the progression of beaches through the equilibrium process following a largescale renourishment project, Mopps said.

The town has purchased some equipment to help knock down the escarpments and are awaiting a final piece to make the tool fully functional.

Once the town receives the final piece, crews will work to eliminate the sharp drop-offs, created by wave action during high seas.

Such work could begin as early as this week.

“Right now, we are primarily targeting the end of turtle nesting season for the start of the project,” Mopps said of the season that runs from May through October on Florida’s west coast.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

TOWN EXPECTS EXTRA FUNDING FROM TOURISM TAX Longboat Key is expected to get another $150,000 from the Sarasota County tourism development tax’s recently enacted sixth percentage point.

Town commissioners approved an agreement with the county this past week, paving the way for the money to be used on beach projects. That agreement now heads to the County Commission for final approval.

The town already had a longstanding agreement with the county for the previous tax at 5%.

The county qualified to collect the additional percentage point based on the amount of tourism development tax revenues collected annually within the county.

Since the additional percentage point was approved by the county commission in 2022, the county determined those additional revenues would be allocated 70% for tourism based capital projects, 20% for beach nourishment and 10% for beach maintenance.

The town requested a portion of collections from the additional revenue from tourism rentals in the town be sent back to the town for beach renourishment and maintenance.

With the addition of the 1 percentage point, Harmer estimates the county will collect just under $3 million from the town and receive about $748,000 back for an increase of just under $150,000 a year.

Manatee County continues collecting 5% because it did not qualify to consider an additional percentage point.

Annually, the town receives about $400,000 from the county after its collection of about $2.1 million.

Last week, Longboat Key Town Manager Tom Harmer went before the Sarasota County Tourism Development Council to ask for their support of the town’s funding request. The council gave unanimous support, sending the agreement back to the county commission for final review and approval.

The town funds beach work through a variety of sources including tourism taxes, state funding and a dedicated ad valorem tax with two millage rates: one for property owners west of Gulf of Mexico Drive and one for owners east of the island’s main road.

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About 1,300 nests were logged by beach patrol volunteers during the last season on Longboat Key beaches.

The New Pass rock groin has already undergone a maintenance cycle in the past.

The current project is acting as the second phase of necessary maintenance.

“Some of the rocks on the landward side will end up getting moved,” Mopps said. “Then they will put in what is called a filter fabric. Then, the rocks will be replaced and others will join them.”

Tightening or placing a new rock groin, regardless of the location, aids in protecting the beach and keeping sand in place from nourishment projects within the town’s system.

The groin’s structure is designed to block the flow of sand and keep it where it was placed — and also keep it out of New Pass, a key route for boaters between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

Too much sand in the pass shallows the water, making passage difficult for larger boats.

“Having the fabric in place makes the groin less leaky,” Mopps said.

“Right now, the sand is just bypassing through the groin. It’s not holding it in place like we want it to.”

The groin project is a complement to work done elsewhere on the island to widen and recontour the beaches with sand pumped from offshore locations, a process the town has repeated several times over the past decades.

The groin remains semi-permeable to allow for some natural flow of water to go in and out of the groin as to not impede on the natural progression of the ocean.

The groin project is the final piece of a comprehensive beach project sent to voters in March 2020, seeking their approval to borrow up to $34.5 million for no more than eight years.

In the end, the project came in under budget — with about a million cubic yards of sand pumped on to the shoreline, along with construction of new groins on the north end of the island.

That’s more sand than would fit in Epcot Center’s Spaceship Earth centerpiece, by the way.

In total, the town has moved 8.7 million cubic yards of sand in the

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

LONGBOAT KEY ELECTIONS 2023

Five questions with Deborah Murphy first term as a Longboat Key commissioner in the District 5

seat March 2023.

Prior to moving to the barrier island, Murphy was a longtime resident of Montgomery County, Maryland.

She owned Standard Supplies Inc, a family-run business that sold construction materials and tools.

Longboat Key was originally planned to be a vacation spot rather than her full-time residence, but the COVID-19 pandemic shifted plans and she has since fallen in love with the island.

Longboat Observer writer Lauren Tronstad recently chatted with Murphy about her decision to seek a seat on the commission and her hopes for Longboat’s future.

What led to your decision to seek a seat on the commission?

It was completely out of the blue.

I’m the president of Longbeach Condominiums, and I still have one more year left on my term. We had some issues on the board in the last year, and I really felt that there was an opportunity for me to do something different. Maureen Merrigan, who lives right around the corner from me, called me and explained her situation that she was not going to be seeking another term. She felt

an obligation as a commissioner to talk to people that she knew in the neighborhood and see if there was an interest. Immediately, my antenna went up. My grandfather was a mayor; I grew up in a family that was very political … So to answer your question, it was really a phone call.

What have you learned from Longboat Key’s past?

When I moved here, I started to really understand more about the ecological stuff … It has been a surprising interest for me because I didn’t grow up being interested in ecological things, but here, it is a really big thing. It’s going to be a focus here on this island because of what is happening with sea rise, what’s happening with the fact that we need better drainage systems. I was reading this newspaper avidly even before I was even thinking about becoming a commissioner because I really am interested in staying abreast and understanding what’s going on on the island.

Really understanding and getting more involved in the ecological side is something I think is important, and that we have to invest in.

What is Longboat Key all about?

I think that Longboat Key is everybody’s dream of what a beach paradise looks like, between the beautiful blue water, powdery sand. We simply don’t have the turnover of rentals that you see on Anna Maria Island, and on Siesta Key, it’s more congested. We have the beauty of being in a tropical paradise. We’re lucky because the residents have chosen to keep it that way. They want to be able to see more residential homes; we want to limit rentals and turnover. We all understand that keeps this peaceful serene atmosphere, which is why people seek to come here and live here.

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How would you describe your leadership style?

I describe my leadership style as servant leadership … I look at myself as the maestro that keeps the orchestra working together.

I don’t look at myself as above anybody else. I look at myself as the chief cheerleader. I’m trying to keep everybody working together and coordinating. I think it works better that way … My grandfather used to tell me “We own shares of stock in our company, but the people that are most important are the stakeholders. The people that come here every day because they need to feel that they are as much a part of what is going on here as those that own the company.” That was the sole philosophy that I grew up with.

What is the most pressing issue for Longboat Key moving forward?

Ecological. I really do think all the things we’re looking at here have to do with roads, drainage and investing in what we are doing with sea level rise … I like the fact that we are being proactive about (sea level rise). There’s a sense of ownership that everybody on this island is wanting to work to preserve the integrity of this island. It’s also maintaining the feeling of this beach paradise. There’s something about Longboat Key that has a sort of residential tranquility, which is evidenced by the people that continue to live here for generations.

Deborah Murphy will take her seat on the Longboat Key Town Commission in March 2023.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

OPINION / OUR VIEW

LONGBOAT

Do or die for New College With his recent appointments to the New College board, Gov. DeSantis has put the school on notice that it can no longer do what it has been doing. There is a better strategy for the future.

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MATT WALSH

A

hh, poor New College of Florida. Its saga of ambition and woe continues.

It has always been thus.

And now, we see, Gov. Ron DeSantis and his staff are intervening in attempt to quit doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results.

By now most people who follow this region’s colleges know that DeSantis recently appointed six new members to the college’s board of governors, all of whom subscribe to a conservative political philosophy.

Indeed, Manny Diaz, Florida’s new secretary of education, ignited cherry bombs after the appointments were announced when he was quoted saying: “It is our hope that New College of Florida will become Florida’s classical college, more along the lines of a Hillsdale of the South” — a reference to the most famous Christian liberal arts college in America, Hillsdale College in Michigan. One of its claims to fame is it refuses to accept any government funding. Its motto is “Learning, character, faith and freedom: These are the inseparable purposes of Hillsdale College.”

With that DeSantis sent shock waves through the New College community, present and past.

And so suffice it to say we can all expect another tumultuous chapter in the college’s six-decade history, one that is likely to last at least two years, certainly no more than the term of DeSantis’ governorship, which will end either in 2025 if he is elected president or in 2026 when his second term ends.

For the residents of Sarasota and Manatee counties who see New College as one of the region’s prized assets, expect a lot of headlines and controversy. Turnarounds and throwing out old ways are never easy or comfortable. Often, they are nasty and ugly.

But for sure, DeSantis has sent his opening message: New College cannot and will not maintain the status quo.

Nor should it.

For 63 years, its financial model has not worked. Nor will it ever without dramatic change. The accompanying chart pretty much tells you the problem. It’s difficult to justify New College as a good investment for taxpayers (shareholders) when its costs are so out of whack compared to the 11 other state universities.

“It’s stunning what a bad idea this is,” Rep. Randy Fine told us last week. “It’s $35 million a year just lit on fire.”

Fine was the lawmaker who proposed in 2020 that New College be merged into Florida State University. In the staff analysis of the bill he proposed, it said: “The state cost per degree is $197,68121 at NCF compared to $36,857 at Florida State University.”

NEW COLLEGE AT A GLANCE 2021-22 ENROLLMENT Men 223 Women 437 Total 660 TOTAL ENROLLMENT 2016-17 963 2017-18 953 899 2018-19 2019-20 782 732 2020-21 2021-22 660 AVG. CLASS SIZE 11

mushroomed from 100 to 500. But by 1975, the college was in debt and near bankruptcy. The state rescued it, with the New College board agreeing to hand over its land in exchange for wiping out its debt and folding New College into the University of South Florida Sarasota-Bradenton branch.

The two co-existed for 25 years in a relationship that could be described as an arranged marriage destined not to work. The two cultures clashed. New College honors professors and students looked down on the USF profs and students and vice versa. At the same time, the USF administration in Tampa wasn’t all that nice toward New College. But as the saying goes: The one with the money (USF) calls the shots.”

By 2000, the faculties and administrators at both institutions had enough of each other. Convinced by New College advocates that it would be economically sustainable and that it had a sufficient endowment to help it flourish, in 2001, the Legislature finalized the divorce. New College became New College of Florida, the independent honors college in the state university system.

As part of the separation, the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus was required to move off the New College property. The USF facilities north of New College on North Tamiami Trail are the results of the marriage split.

ATROPHIED PHYSICALLY

Ever since, New College has been operating as it always has. Enrollments fluctuated in the 900s. The school stuck to its original independent-study, no-letter-grade, honors college mission under Presidents Gordon Michalson Jr. (20012012) and Donal O’Shea (20122021). The endowment continued to grow, thanks to local fundraisers.

And the college stayed under the radar of legislators, letting it do what it has always done.

But during this 20-year period, the college also atrophied physically. In a talk to the Harvard Club of Sarasota last week, New College President Patricia Okker acknowledged the physical campus is in

GRADUATION RATES 4 Yrs. 6 Yrs. 2011 57% 65% 2012 52% 60% 2013 54% 64% 2014 56% 64% 2015 58% 66% ENDOWMENT $49,765,000 ALUMNI GIVING Total undergrad alumni 6,122 Alumni donors 630 Alumni giving rate 10.8%

need of extensive refurbishment and upgrading.

“We have some real problems with our facilities,” she said.

It hurts recruitment. When parents and prospective students compare New College’s facilities with, say, those of Florida’s other bigger, better state university campuses, the sell becomes harder.

Indeed, during the past 20 years, New College now finds itself competing for Florida’s honor students with all 11 other state universities.

This presents another challenge that Okker cited: New College doesn’t have branding and marketing power that comes with an institution that has championship football teams.

CONSERVATIVES EXCORIATED

Okker acknowledged another challenge: The student body’s attitude toward conservatives. We learned elsewhere that in recent years an internal messaging system developed among the students that excoriated the school’s few conservative students.

“I do want to address that,” Okker told the Harvard members. “I’m going on 19 months, and I would say we are not as welcoming to conservative students that we would like to be. This pains me greatly.”

Bingo.

You can be sure that situation greatly influenced Gov. DeSantis’ board appointments.

Asked whether she had conversations with the governor before he made his board appointments, Okker emailed: “As president of New College, I report to the board of trustees …

Throughout my term as president, I have met with senior members of the governor’s team but not directly with the governor as yet.

“I continue to talk and meet with the new trustee members, and together we are taking the necessary time to learn, assess and build toward the future of New College.”

Okker told her Harvard Club listeners “New College will always be committed to change. We are designed to be that nimble institution. That is in our DNA.” The test for Big Change is about to begin.

Heretofore, the administration and student body has resisted and fought it, holding on to New College’s model with a death grip.

Interviews with former members of the board of governors were full of stories of suggestions made to the administration to change its operating model to one that is economically sustainable.

Two former board members everything they suggested was rejected: n Eliminate the full-time police force and maintenance staffs (because there is no summer school); rejected. n Merge with State College of Florida to create a pathway for State College students to get into New College’s honors programs; rejected. n Partner with the Ringling College of Museum to create a nationally recognized arts and music program; rejected. The Ringling Museum, by the way, sits in the middle of New College’s property, of which only 8% is developed. n Merge with the Ringling College of Art and Design and go back to being a private college; rejected. n Outsource its marine science program to Mote Marine Laboratory; rejected.

As one former board member told us: “The college is not sustainable.”

DeSantis, who is known not to take in much counsel or be a collaborator, obviously has made up his mind.

By his appointments to the New College board, you can interpret that DeSantis wants his appointments to try to change the culture and direction of the college.

That will not go well.

Whenever a business brings in new leadership and a new direction, those two things result in a lot of blood, executions and exoduses of the old guard.

“It’s a shut down of New College,” Fine said.

Or as Sen. Joe Gruters said last week at a public hearing: “The alternative, the school is going to be eliminated. It will be shut down.

So the question is how do you keep it moving forward and how do you keep it open?”

If New College is to remain the asset it has become to be known here, a better strategy than DeSantis’ approach is the one suggested

by John Lilly, former board member from 2016-2021 and former Pillsbury Co. CEO: Okker should ask the governor for a year for her and the board of governors to examine bold options for New College’s future — and examine those options in public. Have debates.

“New College can go on defending the past or get ahead of the future,” Lilly said. “It should only do what only New College can do.”

FAULTY BUSINESS MODEL

New College has had a business model problem from its start in the 1960s. Back then, a group of civicminded people thought that, amid the region’s rich arts community, that Sarasota and Bradenton needed its own liberal arts college.

With seed money from Jane Bancroft Cook, an heiress to the Dow Jones & Co. enterprises, they came up with the idea of making New College a one-of-a-kind liberal arts honor college for talented students.

At the time, there was little competition.

From 1964, when it opened to its first class, to 1970, its enrollment

HOW FLORIDA’S UNIVERSITIES COMPARE ENROLLMENT Florida Ag. & Mechanical University 9,180 Florida Atlantic University 30,155 Florida Gulf Coast University 15,970 Florida International University 46,079 Florida Polytechnic University 1,563 Florida State University 45,493 New College of Florida 660 University of Central Florida 68,442 University of Florida 53,372 University of North Florida 16,926 University of South Florida 49,867 University of West Florida 13,265 * Includes tuition, room and board; 2022-23 budgets

TUITION* $23,637 $24,884 $20,390 $23,997 $21,357 $23,486 $21,928 $23,622 $21,430 $21,730 $24,178 $22,718

TOTAL BUDGET $197,539,469 $343,439,355 $179,185,583 $568,685,668 $48,039,268 $755,584,429 $35,891,928 $690,323,585 $949,037,125 $207,854,078 $618,573,154 $140,529,880

COST/STUDENT $21,518 $11,389 $11,220 $12,341 $30,735 $16,608 $54,381 $10,086 $17,781 $12,280 $12,404 $10,594

Source: State University System

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

S-S-S-MOKIN’ 1:50 p.m., 4700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Alarm: An officer was released from the scene of an activated smoke alarm by fire department personnel.

The device had been set off by cooking smoke, not a fire.

MAKING AN IMPACT 9:47 p.m., 200 block of Sands Point Road Fire assist: A gas leak, possibly caused by a vehicle that backed into a gas line, drew the attention of police and fire units. Police assisted while fire personnel shut off the gas. Police determined the vehicle that likely caused the leak was gone upon officers’ arrival, and it was possible the gas had been leaking for a period of time. The assigned officer remained at the scene until released by the fire department.

SATURDAY, JAN. 7

READ ALL ABOUT IT 10:15 a.m., 5700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Suspicious vehicle: The sight of a vehicle circling a residential parking lot was suspicious enough for a caller to report what he saw and the

vehicle’s license-plate number. What an officer saw upon his arrival was a vehicle known to him as belonging to a newspaper delivery driver.

PLAYING ALL THE HITS 5:12 p.m., 700 block of St. Judes Drive North Noise complaint: An officer asked the resident of a home to turn down a radio in the garage after receiving a noise complaint. The officer reported hearing the radio faintly as he walked up to the property. The resident complied after receiving a verbal warning.

ALL IN ONE PLACE 6:51 p.m., 5400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Found property: A town employee reported finding a wallet while on duty and arranged to meet an officer at the police department to turn it in. While the two spoke in the parking lot, a civilian approached and said he had lost his wallet after leaving it on the roof of his car. With identity confirmed, the wallet was returned to its owner.

SUNDAY, JAN. 8

UPSIDE DOWN 11:32 a.m., 10th Street Boat Ramps, Sarasota Boating call: While on marine patrol, a Longboat officer was called to Sarasota to assist following a report of a capsized 20-foot boat with two people in the water near the 10th Street Boat Ramps. The people had been pulled aboard a civilian craft before the officer arrived. The capsized boat and the two people were

A Longboat Key Landmark

brought back to the boat ramp area.

No injuries were reported.

MISSING, NOT MISSING 10:47 a.m., 4500 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen assist: An out-of-town man called police to report his adult daughter missing after she failed to return to their condo that morning.

He said the woman had met some people around the condominium’s hot tub around 12:30 a.m. but hadn’t been seen since. As officers were gathering information for their missing-person investigation, the adult daughter returned to the condo. The out-of-town man said no police investigation was necessary.

MONDAY, JAN. 9

NO REPLY AT ALL 11:09 a.m., 500 block of Bay Isles Parkway Citizen assist: A town resident called police to report a collision in a shopping center’s parking lot. Damage to the resident’s car was limited to a dent. The resident told police the man who hit her car provided a name and a telephone number before driving off. A police sergeant tried to call the number provided to contact the other driver but was unable to connect initially. The officer gave the resident a business card with the incident’s case number.

TUESDAY, JAN. 10

A MAN AND HIS DOG 1:22 p.m., 2500 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen assist: Police could not locate a dark-colored truck reported

BUT YOU’RE RIGHT HERE 4:12 p.m., police headquarters Lost property: A resident of Longboat Key called town police to report the loss of her purse at a hamburger restaurant in the Bradenton area. A police employee explained such a report might be more effective if made to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, though the employee did say Longboat police would contact her if a lost purse matching the description of the one she lost is turned in.

9

COPS CORNER

THEEESE LITTLE TOWN BLUES… 3:30 p.m., 5500 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Noise complaints: Fractured musical notes from an apparently novice saxophone player working on Frank Sinatra’s signature “New York, New York” in a town park likely violated town ordinances on noise, but police were unable to find and cite him. A caller to police said the saxophonist had been making a brand-new start of it in the heart of the park each of the last several days but was clearly not A-number one, top of the list or even king of the hill. An officer who walked the trails to find the off-key performer ascertained the musician’s vagabond shoes must have been longing to stray, because he couldn’t be found.

CENTER OF ATTENTION 10:41 a.m., Longboat Club Road and Gulf of Mexico Drive Suspicious person: Police could not verify a report of a woman standing in the middle of the road. An officer sent to check out the call could not find anyone matching the description of the caller.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

driving erratically on the golf course.

A witness also reported the truck’s driver had let a dog out of the cab several times. Police who responded reported that officers have fielded similar calls in which they learned a golf course greenskeeper is allowed by management to drive his truck on the course in the performance of his official duties.

THURSDAY, JAN. 12

FRIDAY, JAN. 6

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WE DON’T DO THAT HERE 5:30 p.m., 1000 block of Bogey Lane Suspicious people: Officers found and spoke to a pair of men in Tshirts and jeans soliciting business for a roofing company in a neighborhood. The men produced valid ID and business cards for the company they said they represented and confirmed to officers they were working door to door to drum up business.

The officers informed them that such in-person solicitation was a violation of town codes. The two men were checked for criminal wants and warrants and found to have none.

They left without incident.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 11

STUCK, NOT STUCK 5:48 p.m., 2100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Fire assist: Police officers stood by while fire-rescue personnel worked to rescue people from a stuck elevator.

THURSDAY, JAN. 12

A LITTLE HELP 3:45 p.m., 4900 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen assist: A family member of a recently deceased man called police after discovering a loaded firearm in a dresser drawer. With no knowledge of how to render it safe, she sought assistance from police. An officer arrived and unloaded the weapon.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

540-546 Bay Isles Rd, LBK TidewellFoundation.org 941.552.7546

NEWS BRIEFS

The Empath Tidewell Foundation welcomes you to the Tidewell Foundation Building showcasing an outstanding group of health and wellness organizations ready to brighten the lives of the Longboat Key community:

JFCS of the Suncoast Doc Side Audiology The Paradise Center & Medical Suite Essence of Soleil Massage Youthful Aging Home Care Fitness Quest Physical Therapy

What’s up at The Paradise Center?

546 Bay Isles Rd, LBK 941.383.6493 More Info: TheParadiseCenter.org MONDAYS: 10-11 Stretch & Strengthen, 1-3 Thinking Out Loud Discussion Group TUESDAYS: 10-11 Qi Gong, 11:15-12:15 Yoga*, 1-3 Mah Jongg** WEDNESDAYS: 10-11 Beginner Tai Chi THURSDAYS: 10-11 Zumba & Pilates, 1-3 Open Mah Jongg FRIDAYS: 10-11 Intermediate Tai Chi, 11:15-12:15 Qi Gong & Meditation Walk-ins welcome for fitness classes & discussion group! *1/24 Yoga starts at 11:30.

**For Tuesday Mah Jongg, please RSVP: MaryAnnBrady@TheParadiseCenter.org

Attending and participating in our programs supports a socially active, healthy lifestyle!

START THE NEW YEAR RIGHT!

Become a 2023 Member of The Paradise Center

11:30am January 19

Certified Pickleball Instructor Terri Noyes will show us the basics of the game.

$15/person FREE for Members

WALK-INS WELCOME

FitFest

January 24

Your chance to sample any or all of our fitness classes!

9:45-10:00 Tai Chi 10-10:15 Qi Gong 10:15-10:30 Stretch & Strengthen 10:30-10:45 Mat Pilates 10:45-11:00 Yoga 11:00-11:15 Zumba

$15/person FREE for Members

Trivia Happy Hour

3-5pm January 27

Gather a team or join one at TPC. Random trivia questions, token prizes, 50/50 raffle, snacks, music & lots of laughs. Bring cash for the raffle.

RSVP by 1/23: 941.383.6493 $15/person FREE for Members WALK-INS WELCOME

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Meet the Doctors!

1-2pm each day Jan 31-Feb 3 Meet our Medical Suite’s healthcare practices & other wellness providers in the TWF Building.

Call to see which provider will be here on which day!

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MEDICAL SUITE at The Paradise Center 544 Bay Isles Rd, LBK Call each practice directly to make your appointment: TUESDAYS Acupuncture 941.556.8006 Dorian Kramer, DACM Chiropractic Rhett Bogaca, DC 941.210.3637

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Roadwork is underway in Longbeach Village this week, with more to come on Jungle Queen Way and Norton Street.

In the Village, curb removal began on Monday, and crews are expected to wrap up removal and repair of failing asphalt on Thursday along Russell Street, a portion of Longboat Drive North and various intersections.

Workers are expected to mill and overlay streets through Jan. 23.

Curbs will be replaced on a schedule to be determined, the town said.

On Norton Street, failing asphalt will be removed and repaired on Jan. 23-24, though more comprehensive roadwork and drainage improvements are in the design stage.

On Jungle Queen Way, work removing, repairing and repaving will proceed from Jan. 24-27.

The town asks that residents and visitors keep in mind that the work schedule is subject to fluctuation.

Town moves ahead on bench honoring Spoll

To Join, Stop by or Visit: TheParadiseCenter.org

Pickleball Basics

Town embarks on road-repair work

Current and future residents alike may get the opportunity to take in the soon-to-be town center while sitting on a donated bench that honors former Mayor George Spoll, who died Christmas night after a period of declining health.

At the start of the Longboat Key Town Commission’s Jan. 9 meeting, commissioners took a moment to reflect on Spoll’s life and their memories of him.

“He gave a tremendous amount of his time, his effort and his skill when he could have been doing other things,” Mayor Ken Schneier said.

“I think it is probably no secret that George and I did not always agree, but one of the things that I know very strongly is that he truly loved this community, and he certainly stood up for us in many ways,” Commissioner BJ Bishop said.

Madelyn Spoll, George’s widow, spoke at the meeting and asked the commission to consider allowing her and her family to donate a bench with a nameplate to be placed under

a tree in the completed Town Center Green.

“George was fond of saying ‘a man plants a tree he will never sit under,’” she said. “His daughter and I are asking the commissioners’ permission for us to donate a bench to the town to be placed in the town center that George so much wanted to see completed … Hopefully, one day George’s great-grandchildren will come and sit under the tree that George could never sit under.”

At the conclusion of the commission meeting, the idea was discussed and ended in commissioners coming to a unanimous consensus of support and directing staff to move forward with the necessary next steps.

Art fest coming to St. Armands Circle The St. Armands Circle Art Festival returns for a two-day run on Jan. 28-29.

The free event takes place along South Boulevard of Presidents and inside St. Armands Circle.

National and local artists are set to display works ranging from sculpture, jewelry, paintings and photography, apparel and decor.

The festival is the 19th annual installment and will be open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

SRQ airport breaks record despite delays Even with a pair of storm-related air traffic hiccups — one in September and one in December — the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport still managed to smash a calendaryear passenger record by more than 20%, SRQ’s president and CEO said this week.

In 2022, a year marked by Hurricane Ian and a winter storm over the Christmas holidays that initially disrupted air travel, then fed into a cascade of cancellations by the airport’s top carrier, 3.87 million passengers travelled through the airport.

That was a 21.6% increase over 2021’s record year of 3.16 million passengers.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

11

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2191 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34237 | 941.920.1500 | TheFrankLambertTeam.com Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. Property information herein is derived from various sources including, but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate.

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key

Annual Fundraiser

Celia Moore, Aaron Virgin and Tryla Larson

Dancing Through the Decades!

Miranda Dupuis, Kellie Spring and Mitch Lomazov

Sunday, February 12 4-7pm Grab your poodle skirt, hippie beads, spandex pants – whatever attire got you through your very favorite decade – because The Paradise Center is turning back the hands of time for an awesome evening of music, food and fun!

Peg Pluto, Bob Dunn and Nancy Taussig

Bid in our Silent Auction & buy raffle tickets for our Spin to Win wheel for the chance to win fabulous prizes! Savor delicious appetizers from Harry’s Continental Kitchens!

Bop, twist or hustle your way to the dance floor for live music by Daniel Fugazzotto!

Off the Clock goes off the island

A

bout 40 Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce members met off the island on Jan. 11 at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse in Sarasota. There were a lot of familiar faces and also a few new members in attendance.

Miranda Dupuis and Denise Boykin joined the week before. They work for Red Door Painting in Bradenton.

“We do residential, commercial, interior and exterior painting,” Boykin said.

Cindy Jessup joined in December. Her business is Welcome Home Concierge, a home-watching service. Her customers are mainly seasonal. During inspections, she’s looking for things such as pest infestation and humidity blooms. Jessup is certified through Home Watch, and each inspection comes with a full report for insurance purposes if a homeowner needs to file a claim.

The chamber meets once a month “Off the Clock” at different area restaurants.

Call 383-2466 to become a member.

- CASH BAR -

Ticket Levels: The Bopper $80 The Twister $90 Includes 1 drink ticket The Hustler $100 Includes 2 drink tickets Held Indoors & On the Porch at The Paradise Center

Purchase Tickets by 2/6 at TheParadiseCenter.org

— LESLEY DWYER

To avoid credit card service fees, pay in advance via check or cash.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

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In celebration of our 48th Anniversary in providing quality Cardiovascular Care to Sarasota County residents The Cardiovascular Center of Sarasota and the El Shahawy Family Foundation are pleased to sponsor the

WILD FLORIDA An exploration beyond the pavement.

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Myakka reopens with near-record bird count

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CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE PREVENTION CME accredited program by the Florida Medical Association

February 3-4, 2023 Hyatt Regency, Sarasota, FL

Miri Hardy

In the aftermath of the Hurricane Ian, access during the count was hampered by storm-fallen trees and unseasonably high water levels.

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Endorsed by the

Professor M. El Shahawy MD, MS, FACP, FESC, FASH, FASPC, FSCCT, FAHA, FACC

President of the International Society for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Program Director

Cardiovascular Health Assessment Center

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Vice President of the International Society for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Program Co-Director

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Sponsored By The International Society for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention (ISCVDP) and The Cardiovascular Center of Sarasota Foundation for Research & Education Hosted by 23 of the most renowned professors in cardiology including current and past Presidents of the ISCVDP, ASPC, SCCT, ACC, AHA, and World Heart Federation (WHF) 11.5 CME accredited program.

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n Dec. 19, 2022, after being closed since Hurricane Ian because of wind and flood damage, Myakka River State Park reopened to the public. And in the early hours of that very day, 45 birders arrived to participate in the 76th Myakka River Christmas Bird Count.

The Christmas Bird Count is a National Audubon Society community science project. It helps highlight conservation action required to protect birds and the habitats they need to survive. And in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, which impacted natural systems that serve as critical habitat for countless bird species, expectations for the count were low.

This year’s birders, many of whom have participated for decades, covered almost 124 miles in areas rendered unrecognizable by the storm.

Access was hampered by stormfallen trees and unseasonably high water levels. Nonetheless, they spotted a record 126 species, just one shy of the highest number recorded in 1996, and counted an impressive 19,903 individual birds.

It was a very good year for wild turkeys, an especially meaningful species for Myakka River State Park.

When the park was established in 1941 with the goal of protecting this ecologically significant place and its inhabitants, many species of native wildlife, including wild turkey, had been hunted to near extirpation.

Wild turkey are once again abundant at Myakka, largely due to one of the park’s first mangers, Allen Crowley, who “imported” and bred the birds, then reintroduced them to the park.

Also of interest, the population of American bald eagles, Myakka’s largest raptors, remained stable, despite nest trees blown over and nests destroyed by the storm. Stable numbers were also reported for wood storks, a federally designated threatened species. Like many Florida native birds associated with wetlands, this species has suffered from habitat loss and degradation due to development and greatly depend on protected lands.

Our natural areas and their inhabitants, which are essential for the health of our ecosystems, will continue to recover from this storm’s impact, as they have many times before. We can support this recovery by minimizing harmful humanrelated impacts and continuing to support and protect public lands.

—MIRI HARDY, FRIENDS OF THE MYAKKA RIVER CONTRIBUTOR

Friends of Myakka River exists to support Myakka River State Park and the Wild and Scenic Myakka River.

Together, we’re protecting and sharing Myakka’s Magic, to the benefit of future generations, and our own. Follow us @FriendsofMyakkaRiver

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COME ON BACK! Myakka River State Park has reopened to the public. Some amenities, such as the historic cabins, the birdwalk and the canopy walkway, were damaged by Hurricane Ian and are not available until further notice. For updates, please see FloridaStateParks.org/ parks-andtrails/myakka-riverstate-park.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

TUESDAY, JAN. 24 FIT FEST From 9:30-11:15 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road.

Sample any or all of TPC’s fitness classes for 15 minutes a class and meet the instructors. Call 383-6493.

MARIACHI MUSIC From 5-8 p.m. at La Villa Mexican Grill, 5610 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Enjoy dinner and a serenade by Mariachi Contemporaneo. Call 383-8033.

THURSDAYS

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 hatha yoga styles for all fitness levels.

Eight sessions through Feb. 23, $95 for members; $110 for others. Pay as you go available. Call 383-8222.

File photo

THE ART OF CRITICISM From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Learn what it takes to be an arts critic. $15 for members; $20 for others. Call 388-8222.

PICKLEBALL BASICS From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road.

Certified instructor Terri Noyes will demonstrate the basics of the game, including rules and scoring. Free for members; $15 for others. No reservations required. Call 383-6493.

FRIDAY, JAN. 20

MEET THE ARTIST From 5-7 p.m. at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church, 563 Bay Isles Road. Meet this month’s featured artist, Medge Jaspan, in the art gallery. Call 383-8161.

THE BARBARA JORDAN QUINTET From 5-6:30 p.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. The Barbara Jordan Quintet is performing “The Best of the Great American Songbook.” $25 for members; $30 for others. Call 388-8222.

SUNDAY, JAN. 22

JOYFUL SONGS FOR A JOYFUL DAY From 3-4:30 p.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Soprano Michelle Giglio sings everything from famous arias to popular tunes. $20 for members; $25 for others. Call 388-8222

RECURRING EVENTS

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 others.

Call 361-6411, ext. 2212.

MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

LONGBOAT LIBRARY From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, 555 Bay Isles Road.

On Wednesdays, most books are on sale for $1 or less. Call 383-2011.

MONDAYS

TUESDAYS

GENTLE CHAIR YOGA From 9-10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Improve flexibility and strength in a chair. Eight sessions through Feb. 27, $95 for members; $110 for others. Pay as you go available. Call 383-8222.

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 and relax. Eight sessions from Jan. 10 to Feb. 28, $95 for members; $110 for others. 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.

YOGA From 11:15 a.m.-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.

WOMEN OF THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK From 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Listen to stories of legendary performers whose voices showcase the female version of the “old standards.” Two sessions cost $40 for members; $45 for others. Call 383-8222.

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.

TUESDAY AND THURSDAY

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS

TUESDAY, JAN. 24

ROCK ’N’ ROLL JEWS From 3-4:30 p.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. David Milberg, aka “Radio Dave,” highlights Jewish disc jockeys, singers, songwriters and musicians who rock. $15 for members; $20 for others. Call 388-8222.

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 others. Call 361-6411 ext. 2212.

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 others. 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 focusing on balance, strength, breathwork, flexibility and relaxation. Eight sessions through Feb. 22, $70 for members; $80 for others. Pay as you go available. Call 383-8222.

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.

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.

LENA HORNE AND MARILYN MONROE: EXQUISITE EXPRESSION From 1-2:15 p.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. The program details stories and triumphs of two icons.

Two sessions cost $40 for members; $45 for others. Zoom is available.

Call 383-8222.

FRIDAYS

THE WOMEN’S GROUP From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Gale Hacker facilitates a discussion focused on personal growth. Six sessions cost $105 for members; $115 for others. Call 383-8222.

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 others. Call 383-6493.

All are Welcome

All are welcome at All Angels no exceptions • We’ve ramped up, anyone of any mobility is welcome

Saturday Worship 5pm Sunday Worship 9 & 11am Fellowship Hour 10am

• In-person worship services Sunday at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

• Live-stream at AllAngelsLBK.org to participate on-line

UPCOMING EVENTS The King’s Brass

Growing in Jesus’ Name

St. Armands Key Lutheran Church • 40 North Adams Dr., Sarasota, FL • 941.388.1234 • www.saklc.com

St. Mary, Star of the Sea,

Worship WorshipWith WithUs UsAt atOur OurChurch Church Sunday Service 10:00 AM Sunday Service 10:00 AM The Rev. The Rev.Dr. Dr.Norman NormanPritchard Pritchard

Catholic Church

Would like to Welcome & Invite You, Your Family Members & Friends to Celebrate Mass with Our Parish Community WINTER MASS SCHEDULE (January - April) Saturday: 4:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, and 11:00 AM Daily Mass at 9:00 AM; Rosary at 8:30 AM Monday - Friday The Chapel of Divine Mercy following daily mass

Men’s Bible Study: Monday @ 9:00 Masks AreWednesday Optional @ 10:00 Women’s Bible Study:

Visitors Welcome Visitors & & Residents Residents Welcome

941.383.8833 (office)

An Ecumenical Church that Welcomes all People Founded in 1956

•

www.christchurchoflbk.org

Please join us for worship in person on Sunday at 10 a.m. or online at our website and Facebook Live Stream at 10 a.m.

Follow us on Facebook • www.longboatislandchapel.org Wednesday Bible Study 10:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Lord’s Warehouse hours are 9:00 - 1:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays

395797-1

6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive • Longboat Key, Florida 34228 • 941-383-6491

395837-1

•

395659-1

Watch AMService ServiceLive: Live: WatchOur Our10:00 10:00 AM

www.bit.ly/cclbksermons www.bit.ly/cclbksermons oror (followYouTube YouTubelink) link) www.christchurchof lbk.org(follow www.christchurchoflbk.org

Jan. 26th at 6:00pm Advance Tickets $25; Tickets at Door $30

395300-1

563 Bay Isles Rd • 941-383-8161 AllAngelsLBK.org

395773-1

• Discussion Groups on Tue & Wed at 10 a.m.

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

Rev. Robert Dziedziak, Pastor

You are invited to join us at this week’s Shabbat service Friday evening at 7:30pm and Saturdays Sharing Values, Friendship, and Faith at 10:00 am. Our regular Friday Shabbat service time will resume at 5:30 pm next week.

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

Questions? Email us at info@longboatkeytemple.org 567 Bay Isles Rd, Longboat Key, FL

941-383-3428

longboatkeytemple.org

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THURSDAY, JAN. 19

15

YOUR CALENDAR

BEGINNER TAI CHI From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Class is outdoors, weather permitting. Cost is $15. Call 383-6493.

BEST BET

6400 Gulf of Mexico Dr.

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Classifieds 28 Games 27 Real Estate 25 Weather 27

JANUARY 19, 2023

YOUR NEIGHBORS BIRDS OF A FEATHER Longboaters Heather and Ray Sellers had no experience with birds when they started volunteering at Save our Seabirds, but they’ve since rescued more than 200.

STAFF WRITER

F

our words. A pronoun, two nouns and a verb — barely a sentence — were enough to launch a new volunteer opportunity for Heather and Ray Sellers about two years ago.

“My husband likes birds,” she said innocently enough.

A week later, the Longboat Key residents were chasing a struggling royal tern down the beach on their first rescue for Save Our Seabirds.

But first, they had to Google what a royal tern looked like, learning quickly it was the species with an “Elvis head,” Heather said.

Royal terns have black crown feathers that often stand up like a pompadour hairstyle. But more on that initial rescue mission a bit later.

Ray’s fondness for birds didn’t come with any special avian expertise. The Sellers are semi-retired after 35 years in the restaurant industry. They live in Windward Bay. Sellers, 54, was already volunteering for Longboat Key Turtle Watch.

President and Vice President Tim Thurman and Cyndi Seamon also volunteer for SOS. So when Heather happened to mention that Ray likes birds, the wheels were not just set in motion, they were accelerated to turbo mode.

“They’re like, ‘Oh, he does?’” she said, “And by the time I got off (turtle) patrol, there was a little pet crate

BE LIKE THE SELLERS

SOS is always seeking volunteers. Opportunities are not limited to rescuing.

Here’s a list of volunteer positions. n Greeter n Docent n Landscape and facility maintenance n Office and dispatch Rescue and transport n Special events and public programs No experience necessary, but volunteers are asked to commit to at least three to four hours a week. The volunteer application can be found at SaveOurSeabirds.org/volunteer. Once the application is complete, SOS offers training twice a year, usually in February and November. Volunteers have the option to shadow a more experienced volunteer until they feel comfortable.

next to my husband’s truck.”

When Ray called to ask if Heather knew anything about the cage, she explained how she unwittingly volunteered them to be bird rescuers.

That was in September 2020; the COVID-19 pandemic left SOS operating with a bare-bones crew of staff and volunteers.

The Sellers have since rescued more than 200 birds on Longboat Key. That first rescue call came from the Longboat Key Club. It was raining, and their equipment consisted of the pet crate, a net and a towel.

“We got out on the beach, and the first thing we saw was a colony of terns and a colony of gulls — so hundred of birds,” Heather said laughing.

“We looked at each other like ‘How are we going to be able to find the one that needs help?’ And suddenly as we looked across, we saw one that looked like its beak was caught in his neck.”

The tern’s neck was wrapped in fishing line. He flew away four times and led them a half-mile down the beach. The Sellers were about to give up until some other birds started pecking at him. The tern gave up instead; they secured him with the towel and took him to SOS. With no experience, fancy equipment or official training, the Sellers were guided via telephone by SOS senior avian hospital technician Jonathan Hande.

“Jonathan was amazing to us. He gave us guidance as we went out on each run,” Sellers said. “We literally fell into this and have just been amazed by the center ever since.”

SOS treated 944 area birds in 2022, and more than 90% of the birds were brought in by rescue volunteers.

“I don’t think we’re in business very long if we don’t have rescue volunteers,” Save Our Seabirds CEO Aaron Virgin said. “Our staff doesn’t rescue birds. Our volunteers do.”

As volunteers, the Sellers have walked countless miles, climbed trees and scratched their legs on oyster beds in pursuit of birds needing rescue.

“As my husband always says, you look at the bird, and once you lock eyes with it, there’s no way you can’t help it,” Sellers said. “You’ve got to do everything that you can, and we’ve put ourselves in some predicaments. But as time has gone on,

Save our Seabirds’ Jonathan Hande and Ray Sellers

An osprey is injured by a hook. Most injuries seen by SOS are caused by human activity.

Lesley Dwyer

The Sellers say it helps to have two people during a rescue.

we’ve learned what too far is.”

Not every bird can be saved after a rescue, but Sellers says she’s seen SOS help birds they thought didn’t have a chance.

“The wonderful gift of all of this is when you get to do a release, and many times, it’s the birds we actually helped rescue,” she said. “It’s a very gratifying experience.”

Courtesy photos

This royal tern is the first bird the Sellers rescued.

SOS 2022 INTAKES

n Total intakes: 944 n Number of species seen: 108 n Most common species: brown pelican, laughing gull, mourn-

ing dove, fish crow, eastern screech-owl n Most interesting species: red-necked phalarope, Bonaparte’s gull, grasshopper sparrow, black scoter, spotted sandpiper

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LESLEY DWYER

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

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on g b o at K e y | O f f e re d a t1085 $ 7 79, 0 0 OF 0 MEXICO DR. #305 L on| OFFERED g b o at K eAT y |$1,195,000 O f f ere d at $ 7 79, 0 0 0 GULF MLS# A4178487 MLS#and A4178487 This 3 bed/2 bathLINKS corner unitDR offers golf course views, abundant DR natural 2067 H AR BOUR I Vserene E, #4 2067multiple H A Rterraces BOUR LINKS I Vlight E, #4 month L on gthroughout. b o a t K e y Beachplace | O f f e re d allows a t $ 7179, 0 0 0 minimum rentals, L12 ontimes g b o a tyear K eallowing y | O f f eowners re d a tto$maximize 7 79, 0 0 0 MLS# A4178487 income year round when not in residence.MLS# A4178487

ER D N

L on g b o a t K e y | O f f e re d a t $ 7 79, 0 0 0 MLS# A4178487 T AC R NT O C

#4

2067 H A R BOUR LINKS DR I V E

L on g b o at K e y | O f f ere d at $ 7 79, 0 0 MLS#DR A4178487 2067 H A R BOUR LINKS I V E, #4

L on g b o a tLINKS K e y |DRIVE O f f e re d a t $ 7 79, 0 0 0 2067 HARBOUR | $1,575,000 MLS# A4178487

MLS# A4556271

I A N A DDY, PA IRAEN DDY, PA A LA TO R ®, M B A R E A LT O R ®, M B A

IanAddy@MichaelSaunders. com IanAddy@MichaelSaunders.com

G A I L W IT T IG

G ABIRLOW K EIT R -T A IG SSOCI ATE

BROK E R-A SSOCI ATE GailWittig@MichaelSaunders. co GailWittig@MichaelSaunders. com

941.387.0100 941.387.0100

W W W . L O N G B O AT L I F E . C O M

395809-1

L on g b o a t K e y | O f f e re d a t $ 7 79, 0 0 0 MLS# A4178487

I

T AC

L on g b o a t K e y | O f f e re d a t $ 7 79, 0 0 0 G MLS# A4178487 IN T S LI E V

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

REAL ESTATE... REAL PARADISE Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Gill and Dave Hughes, MaryAnn Miller and Deborah Richards

Tennis Committee Members Diane McGrellis and Bernadette Hayes

THE KING OF QUEENS HARBOUR

Cedars gets into pickleball

3527 FAIR OAKS LANE | QUEENS HARBOUR, LBK $3,149,000 | MLS# A4554063

L

ast August, Time magazine called pickleball “America’s fastest-growing sport,” so while tennis remains its main game, Cedars Tennis Resort & Club recently introduced pickleball to its members.

Nearly 30 beginner and advanced players signed up for the first tournament on Jan. 12, held on the clay courts.

“We have it on the clay because it’s a little easier on the body,” tennis pro Jeff Otterbein said, explaining the decision to avoid hard surfaces for the game.

“We have a ball that’s bouncy, and we’re working on the courts to hopefully get the regular pickleball to bounce better.”

Until now, fans of the sport who might have played tennis at Cedars had to drive to Longboat’s public courts at Bayfront Park or be invited to a private club.

REMODELED BAYFRONT WONDER

For now, players are using soft foam pickleballs, which make the game a little easier for beginners to learn. The group was split about half and half between beginner and experienced players. The beginners learned the basics, while the others played a tournament. Games were played to nine instead of 11 like a traditional pickleball match.

Beyond chatting while waiting turns on the court, the added social element at Cedars is a trip to the Tiki bar afterwards.

“Games and Drinks” is now a weekly event from 4 to 5:30 p.m. every Thursday.

Cocktails are optional. The tournaments will run at least through April, but Otterbein says he’ll keep it going if enough members are signing up.

— LESLEY DWYER

394921-1

7110 LONGBOAT DRIVE EAST | LONGBEACH VILLAGE, LBK $2,750,000 | MLS# A4550284

BEAUTIFULLY REMODELED 549 YAWL LANE | COUNTRY CLUB SHORES, LBK $2,450,000 | MLS# A4550618

Call for Take Out or FREE DELIVERY

the realtors who deliver

396496-1

GROUP

KATHY CALLAHAN | 941.900.8088 | LBKathy.com TODD CALLAHAN | 941.224.0624 | LBKathy.com

JoDene Moneuse – Your Neighbor, Your REALTOR®.

Committed to exceeding your needs.

440 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228

• 32 year Longboat Key Resident

• 2019- 2021 Top Agent - Michael Saunders Mid Longboat Key office • 2019-2022 Five Star in Customer Service Award Winner • Institute for Luxury Home Marketing Million Dollar GUILD

941.302.4913 JoDeneMoneuse@michaelsaunders.com LongboatKeyLiving.com 394792-1

• Top 1.5% of Florida Realtors - Real Trends America’s Best Real Estate Agents

396643-1

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

19

OPPORTUNITIES FOR 2023!

LA BELLASARA - GOLDEN GATE POINT 464 GOLDEN GATE PT., #202 $3,395,000

FAIRWAY BAY - LONGBOAT KEY 2010 HARBOURSIDE DR., #2003 $1,049,000

SIESTA COVE - SIESTA KEY 5212 SIESTA COVE DRIVE $4,250,000

LA BELLASARA - GOLDEN GATE POINT 464 GOLDEN GATE PT., #503 $4,298,000

LIDO REGENCY - LIDO KEY 1700 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN DR., #5F $549,000

SALE PENDING

COREY’S LANDING - LONGBOAT KEY 3414 FAIR OAKS LANE $1,899,000

TOP PRODUCING SMALL TEAM IN SARASOTA COUNTY

THE ACKERMAN GROUP A FAMILY OF REALTORS HERE TO GUIDE YOU HOME IN 2023

RYAN ACKERMAN

ryan@ackermangroup.net

BARBARA ACKERMAN

WWW.ACKERMANSRQ.COM

barbara@ackermangroup.net

OVER 68% OF OUR 2022 SALES WERE

RECORD BREAKING JUST A FEW OF OUR 2022 NOTABLE SALES

HARBOR ACRES 1309 VISTA DRIVE

MAJESTIC BAY 258 GOLDEN GATE POINT #601

GRAND BAY I 3060 GRAND BAY BLVD. #191

SIESTA COVE 5215 SIESTA COVE DRIVE

TESSERA 500 S. PALM AVE., #52

AQUARIUS CLUB 1701 GULF OF MEXICO DR., #109

ALTA MER 306 GOLDEN GATE POINT, #4

ROYAL ST. ANDREW 555 S. GULFSTREAM AVE., #501/502

Longboat Key Office: 595 Bay Isles Rd., Suite 250, Longboat Key, FL 34228 St. Armands Office: 443 John Ringling Blvd., Ste. FL, Sarasota, FL 34236 This is not a solicitation of another broker’s listing.. Market data supplied by Market Quest June 2021.

THE ACKERMAN GROUP 395392-1

CALL US TODAY! (941) 387-1820

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

YOU OBSERVED

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

Photos courtesy of Tony Britt

Steve and Louise North, Juli and Brad Camrud, Robin and Chase Curtis

New Years at Bird Key Yacht Club

F

lappers and fedoras were plentiful as members of the Bird Key Yacht Club welcomed in 2023 and said goodbye to 2022 with a bash worthy of Gatsby himself.

Members danced the final hours of 2022 away to the sounds of Jelly Roll Jazz after enjoying a spectacular feast prepared by the BKYC culinary team and a visit to the BKYC Speakeasy. A prime view of the midnight fireworks over Sarasota Bay capped off the evening.

More Than A PLAN...

— TONY BRITT Ami Rodriguez with speakeasy host Sam Sperduti

IT’S A PROMISE. WagnerRealty.com Your Hometown Favorite For More Than Eight Decades!

LOCAL, VETERAN OWNED & OPERATED SINCE 1939

Pre-planning does more than provide your family with peace of mind. It’s making a promise to keep them free of future financial burdens and the responsibility of carrying out rushed arrangements during their time of remembrance.

Longboat Key

Longboat Key

For more than 30 years, the Toale Brothers family has helped people make their choices now, so those decisions don’t fall on their families later.

Create a plan and a promise for your loved ones. Give us a call today to start the conversation.

826 Bayport Way | Bayport Beach & Tennis Club MLS#A4554124 | 2/2 - 1,676sf | Bay View | $999,000 Matt Faul (941) 345-3255

5393 Gulf of Mexico Dr. #207| Longboat Terrace MLS#A4553218 | 2/2 - 1,300sf | Gulf View | $989,900 Jonna Humphries (941) 465-2357

Longboat Key

Longboat Key

4310 Falmouth Dr. #202 | Longboat Harbour MLS#A4554378 | 2/2 - 1,071sf | Bay View | $749,900 Jon Patella (941) 228-1613

612 Marbury Ln. | Sleepy Lagoon | MLS#A4552342 2/2 - 1,128sf | Canal Front | $1,375,000 Rebecca Samler (941) 737-7955

Cortez

Cortez Lot

4510 125th St. W. | MLS#A4556067 | 6/5+ - 5,107sf Bay View | $5,500,000 | Custom designed estate w/Guest House - Rae Ellen Hayo (941) 920-0364

4210 128th St. W. | MLS#A4555105 | Lot Size 14,401 sqft | $895,000 | Buildable canal front Debra Ibasfalean (941) 855-1333

RESIDENTIAL SALES - RENTALS - PROPERTY MANAGEMENT VOTED “Favorite Real Estate Company” by local newspaper for more than 24 years in a row!

941.955.4171 • www.ToaleBrothers.com

Proudly serving Sarasota, Bradenton and Venice since 1912.

5360 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 101 Longboat Key, FL 34228

941.383.5577

396497-1

Longboat Key Office

396214-1

20

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

21

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

REID MURPHY PRESENTS

LUXURY ON THE WATER BUYING or SELLING Call Reid for a successful real estate experience!

941-232-3304

LONGBOAT KEY MAGNIFICENT GULF FRONT ESTATE

$22,000,000

Under Construction. New 5 BD, 8 BA, 100ft frontage on pristine walking beach. Expansive views from open living space & connected lanai. Fireplace, chef’s kitchen, glass wine room, service bar. First level master w/lanai. Junior suite and 2 guest suites have private terrace. Covered outdoor space has fireplace, outdoor kitchen & dining area. Dramatic infinity pool/spa w/ sundeck overlooks Gulf waters. 3 car garage. Home elevator. Hurricane screens. Completion date estimated for March 2023.

LONGBOAT KEY GULF FRONT

$7,775,000 LONGBOAT KEY BAYFRONT

Incredible 5BD/4BA beachfront home on 80’ of frontage.

Open living w/ guest quarters on 1st & 2nd level + 3rd level private master-suite w/ split plan + 2 quest suites.

Amazing views & beautiful walking beach.

$5,965,000 LONGBOAT KEY CUSTOM HOME $3,800,000

Build your dream home Bayfront on oversized lot. 100ft on the Bay, beach access across the street & side canal for privacy. PLUS elevated separate guest house: a bonus structure no longer permitted for new builds.

Behind the gates at the Longboat Key Club. Custom built, 5 en-suite BR + office space on lush Islandside golf course.

Expansive patio area w/60’ lap-pool. Deeded beach access & attached three car garage.

LONGBOAT KEY

$2,475,000 LONGBOAT KEY BOATERS DREAM

$2,700,000 LONGBOAT KEY EMERALD HARBOR

JEWFISH KEY EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITY

$2,995,000 LONGBOAT KEY CANAL LOT#1 LONGBOAT KEY CANAL LOT#2

$1,995,000 LONGBOAT KEY ISLANDER CLUB $675,000 $1,995,000 Gulfside 2BD/2BA condo is a perfect beachfront getaway or extra

Coastal contemporary 4 BR/5BA home in The Preserve of Longbeach. Meticulous 4 BD/3 BA wide deep water canal with direct access to Light & open indoor/outdoor living areas. Former model w/ high-end Sarasota Bay - no bridges! Great dock. 2 boat lifts. Private beach appliances & finishes. access directly across the street.

Waterfront home on a tropical island accessible only by boat.

6 BD/5.5BA Totally private. One of the only homes on the island with a private dock & beach. 18 feet elevation. Unique pod design creates space & privacy.

Build your dream home on one of north LBK’s most desirable streets.

Premier boating location. Great canal leads directly to Bay & ICW No bridges. Walk to beach.

$2,495,000

Newly remodeled 3 BD/2 BA on wide canal w/new seawall, dock, and lift. High-end finishes & appliances. Deeded beach access.

Convenient location.

space for guests. Beachside heated pool has incredible Gulf views & wildlife. Club amenities include two tennis courts.

Developers Realty Inc. Lic. Real Estate Broker

www.ReidMurphy.com

595 Bay Isles Road Longboat Key, FL 34228

395162-1

CALL REID TODAY! | 941.232.3304

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

PET PICS

THE LONGBOAT KEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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

2023

nds Savor the Sounds Sou the r Savo Savor the Sounds Musical Series Concert

Presented by

Saturday, February Longboat Key • 42020 th

FEATURING

YESTERDAYZE

YESTERDAYZE plays music that charted in the top 40 between 1960-1969. From Motown to the British Invasion, from country & pop to psychedelia to good old-fashioned rock & roll, Yesterdayze does it all!

TWO OF A KIND: Buddy and his sidekick, Joey, of Longboat Key.

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

Experience the best of Downtown living.

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.)

100 Central Avenue, #PH-1101 One Hundred Central 4 beds | 4.5 baths | 3,764 SF MLS# A4533365 Offered at $3,499,000

Pre-order boxed dinners from Publix by calling (941)383-1326 ext. 228 or 229

Decorate your table or blanket!

VIP Tickets

$250 (Table of 8) Advance purchase only.

Limited availability.

OPEN HOUSE on January 22 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM

General Admission

ELEGANT PENTHOUSE WITH WRAPAROUND TERRACE

$25 in advance

100 Central Avenue, #K-817 One Hundred Central 2 beds | 2.5 baths | 1,707 SF MLS# A4553747 Offered at $1,275,000

$35 at the door

Weather permitting - No Refunds

OPEN HOUSE on January 22 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM

ADVANCE TICKET SALES Monday - Friday from 9 am to 5 pm Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce 5390 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, Suite 102

SCENIC POOL AND CITY VIEWS

1350 Main Street, #701 1350 Main 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1,364 SF MLS# A4555002 Offered at $1,090,000

RARELY AVAILABLE END UNIT NEAR BAY

If you’re looking to buy or sell a downtown residence, choose a trusted expert to help you achieve your real estate goals.

Contact Bibi-Ann today.

For cancellation information, call (941)383-2466 or check facebook.com/lbkchamber.

Bibi-Ann Allard REALTOR®, CRS, CLHMS

941.685.0422 BibiAnnAllard @michaelsaunders.com BibiAnnAllard.com 396627-1

395247-1

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

JUDY KEPECZ-HAYS TEAM

|

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

23

January 19, 2023

LONGBOAT KEY TOWERS 601 Longboat Club Rd #603S 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car garage | 1,458 Sq Ft 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

PARK RESIDENCES OF LIDO KEY 159 Taft Dr #E305 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. www.159taftdriveE305.com Offered for $3,500,000 – Furnished

THE STRAND 1709 N Tamiami Trl Unit #221 1 bed, 1.5 bath | 1,013 Sq Ft 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

Thinking of selling your Residence? Please call me!

423 St. Armands Circle | Sarasota, Florida 34236 595 Bay Isles, Suite 250| Longboat Key, FL 34228

395417-1

LongboatKeyLuxury.com | (941) 587-1700

24

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

LONGBOAT KEY 781 Hideaway Bay Drive 4 Beds 4 Baths 5,469 Sq. Ft. Mark J Baron 631-800-1125 A4554268 $6,500,000

LONGBOAT KEY 3331 Bayou Sound 5 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,600 Sq. Ft. Ryan Heers 941-726-1703 A4550667 $3,785,000

LONGBOAT KEY 600 De Narvaez Drive 3 Beds 3 Baths 1,971 Sq. Ft. Olivia Marciniak 941-400-1623 A4545926 $3,250,000

LONGBOAT KEY 3527 Fair Oaks Lane 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 4,154 Sq. Ft. Kathy Callahan 941-900-8088 A4554063 $3,149,000

LONGBOAT KEY 830 Tarawitt Drive 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,447 Sq. Ft. The Walter Group 941-232-2000 A4545868 $3,100,000

LONGBOAT KEY 690 Russell Street 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 2,457 Sq. Ft. Kathy Harman 941-900-9828 A4549985 $3,000,000

LONGBOAT KEY 3342 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 3 Beds 4 Baths 3,410 Sq. Ft. Jodene Moneuse 941-302-4913 A4549127 $2,898,000

LONGBOAT KEY 7110 Longboat Drive E 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,700 Sq. Ft. Kathy Callahan 941-900-8088 A4550284 $2,750,000

LONGBOAT KEY 549 Yawl Lane 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,702 Sq. Ft. Kathy Callahan 941-900-8088 A4550618 $2,450,000

LONGBOAT KEY 570 Putting Green Lane Olivia Marciniak & Kim Ogilvie 941-400-1623 A4554979 $2,150,000

LONGBOAT KEY 529 Bayview Drive 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,808 Sq. Ft. The Walter Group 941-232-2000 A4550389 $1,995,000

LONGBOAT KEY 311 Firehouse Court 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,352 Sq. Ft. Ian Addy, PA 941-961-8850 A4553880 $1,995,000

LONGBOAT KEY 2550 Harbourside Drive 322 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,830 Sq. Ft. Rachel Benderson & Stacy Hanan 941-376-0218 A4547892 $1,550,000

LONGBOAT KEY 530 De Narvaez Drive 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,944 Sq. Ft. Jodene Moneuse 941-302-4913 A4553308 $1,425,000

LONGBOAT KEY 1110 Bogey Lane 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,614 Sq. Ft. Cindy Fischer 941-465-1124 A4551888 $1,295,000

LONGBOAT KEY 1085 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 305 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,819 Sq. Ft. Ian Addy, PA & Gail Wittig, LLC 941-961-8850 A4556271 $1,195,000

LONGBOAT KEY 4401 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 503 1 Bed 1 Baths 896 Sq. Ft. Michael Nink & Sandi Layfield 941-914-2805 A4556888 $797,000

LONGBOAT KEY 4320 Falmouth Drive B102 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,072 Sq. Ft. Malihe Karimi 941-376-5099 A4554376 $645,000

LONGBOAT KEY 4380 Exeter Drive 103 2 Beds 2 Baths 992 Sq. Ft. Maruta Miluns 941-374-9702 A4552083 $639,000

LONGBOAT KEY 4400 Exeter Drive J-208 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,168 Sq. Ft. Malihe Karimi 941-376-5099 A4550333 $609,000

LONGBOAT KEY 3802 Gulf Of Mexico Drive A203 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,007 Sq. Ft. Stephen Harris 941-780-2352 A4556190 $499,900

LONGBOAT KEY 4310 Falmouth Drive A105 1 Bed 1 Baths 747 Sq. Ft. Malihe Karimi 941-376-5099 A4553673 $485,000

LONGBOAT KEY 3808 Gulf Of Mexico Drive E307 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,007 Sq. Ft. Rudy Dudon & Rudy Dudon 941-234-3991 A4556404 $450,000

LONGBOAT KEY 4760 Gulf Of Mexico Drive V-7 1 Bed 1 Baths 812 Sq. Ft. Stacy Haas 941-587-4359 A4556478 $425,000

LONGBOAT KEY 2600 Harbourside Drive Q-6 Cecile Coutret & John Coutret 941-735-4444 A4553795 $230,000

395681-1

LONGBOAT KEY 3060 Grand Bay Boulevard 1101 4 Beds 5/1 Baths 4,413 Sq. Ft. Stacey Fredericks 239-823-0277 A4535637 $4,999,999

LONGBOAT KEY 545 Kingfisher Lane 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 4,646 Sq. Ft. The Walter Group 941-232-2000 A4553162 $4,995,000

LONGBOAT KEY 540 Harbor Gate Way 5 Beds 6/1 Baths 5,048 Sq. Ft. Stacy Hanan 941-266-0529 A4548328 $4,500,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

25

REAL ESTATE

Ringling Parkway, Bird Key properties lead the way

|

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

JAN. 2-6

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home on Lido Key tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Edward Balian, of Sarasota, sold his home at 1410 John Ringling Parkway to 1410 John Ringling Parkway LLC for $5,675,000. Built in 1968, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,148 square feet of living area. It sold for $365,000 in 1995.

BIRD KEY

Kathleen Parks, trustee, of Cornelius, North Carolina, sold the home at 453 E. Royal Flamingo Drive to Jeff Rhinelander and Jacqueline Bohannon, of Sarasota, for $3.75 million. Built in 1962, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,926 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.8 million in 2020.

THE BEACH RESIDENCES

1300 Benjamin Franklin LLC sold the Unit 1009 condominium at 1300 Benjamin Franklin Drive to James and Lara Briggs, of Downers Grove, Illinois, for $2.91 million.

Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 3,352 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.5 million in 2015.

BEACHPLACE

Karen and Eric Avezzano, of Montvale, New Jersey, sold their Unit 404 condominium at 1045 Gulf of Mexico Drive to J. Chris Thompson and Amy Thompson, of Fort Mill, South Carolina, for $1.6 million.

Built in 1981, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,503 square feet of living area. It sold for $800,000 in 2013.

HARBOUR LINKS AT LONGBOAT KEY CLUB

Carl and Patricia Cooper, trustees, of Longboat Key, sold the Unit 2003 condominium at 2003 Harbour Links Drive to William Robert

Eric Garwood

condominium at 1211 Gulf of Mexico Drive to White Wine Cork LBK LLC for $1,033,000. Built in 1985, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,598 square feet of living area. It sold for $519,000 in 2001.

Brugge and Joan Siefert Brugge, of Boston, for $1,246,000. Built in 1989, it has three bedrooms, twoand-a-half baths and 1,941 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.1 million in 2022.

Jeffrey Plocharczyk and Debra Palmer sold their Unit 2013 condominium at 2013 Harbour Links Drive to David Bare, trustee, of Morganton, North Carolina, for $1 million. Built in 1989, it has two bedrooms, three baths and 2,369 square feet of living area. It sold for $465,000 in 2017.

The property at 453 E. Royal Flamingo Drive on Bird Key overlooks a canal with direct access to Sarasota Bay.

In with the new

PROMENADE

NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Robert A. Foster, Robert M. Foster and James Foster, trustees, of Athens, Tennessee, sold the Unit 205

TOP BUILDING PERMITS Downtown St. Petersburg

These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of January 6-12 in order of dollar amounts.

L O N G B OAT K E Y ADDRESS 6661 GMD

PERMIT Replacement single

APPLICANT Peter P. Laviolette Jr.

AMOUNT($) $4,715,177

family residence 1021 Longboat Club Road

New single family

400 Central | 727.209.7848 | From the $1MM’s | Call for appointment. | Residences400central.com SOLD OUT

Alfredo C. Cordova

$874,620

Muller Family Trust

$247,545

residence 100 Sands Point

Interior alterations

Road #115 5265 GMD

Re-roof

Banyan Bay Club

$96,500

650 Norton St.

Pool

Magnus and Christina Almtu

$95,330

580 Birdie Lane

Dock

Louis Phillip Stone IV

$78,532

Revocable Trust

612 Juan Anasco Drive

Pool and spa

AMI Wilson LLC

$65,000

1211 GMD #411

Interior alterations

Scott D. Allen

$63,900

6661 GMD

Electrical

Peter P. Laviolette

$55,878

6661 GMD

Electrical

Peter P. Laviolette

$55,878

590 De Narvaez Drive

Pool and spa

Anthony J. Marterie

$54,400

5280 GMD

Re-roof

Banyan Bay Club

$38,725

696 Marbury Lane

Re-roof

Jeremy Brongo

$33,500

786 Norton St.

Impact doors

Robert C. Hutchinson

$33,163

560 Broadway St,

Re-roof

Glen Fabian

$29,730

6827 GMD

Balcony railings

James M. Eakle

$24,580

6835 GMD

Balcony railings

David M. Siegal

$24,580

6809 GMD

Balcony railings

Markus Schulz

$22,964

4311 GMD

Doors

Longboat Beach House

$20,000

3691 Bayou Circle

AC changeout

Marketa Klenorova

$15,200

591 Putter Lane

Gas line

Robert J. Hudson Jr.

$13,298

Revocable Trust

607 Triton Bend

AC changeout

Diana Ruth Harmas

7095 GMD Unit 14

Impact doors

Gregory E. Watts

$11,618

525 Cutter Lane

Interior alterations

Jennifer M. Fischley

$11,525

4700 GMD

AC changeout

The Residences at the St. Regis | 941.213.3300 | From $2.4MM to $10.9MM | Call for appointment | SRResidencesLongboatKey.com 1 FINAL OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE

Downtown Sarasota

The Collection | 941.232.2868 | thecollection1335.com

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

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

Revocable Trust Sharon L. Kincaid

$10,999

mscdeveloperservices.com | 844.591.4333 | Sarasota, Florida

Unit PH4 Prices as of December 2022

Source: Town of Longboat Key

Licensed Real Estate Broker

395717-1

$13,280

Longboat Key

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

Longboat Key artist finds her passion by accident . . . literally Medge Jaspan’s works will be displayed at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church, beginning Jan. 20.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

E

ach month, All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church features an artist in its art gallery. This month’s artist is also a Longboat Key business owner, Medge Jaspan, and you can meet her at the gallery in person between 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 20.

Jaspan operates the Holistic Healing & Wellness Center of Longboat Key in the Mediterranean Plaza off Bay Isles Road. She also creates a made-to-order line of wearable art.

Jaspan, 55, received her master’s degree in psychology at Columbia University in New York but grew up in Paris. Her career was organizing events in Cannes. She didn’t sell her first piece of art until she was 35.

A successful artist now, her avocation began at age 30 after a nearly tragic incident.

She slipped on a wet floor into a window. She had cuts all over her body that took four months to heal

and left her with nothing to do. That was when she discovered art.

“I think if I learned one thing from the accident, it’s that there was too much noise here (pointing to her head),” she said. “I wasn’t eating.

I was so stressed, and I was having all this stuff. I would have died, not from the accident, but from the craziness inside here.”

The exhibition is called “Energy Inspired,” a series of brightly colored acrylic paintings of hearts and labyrinths.

Jasper uses pearls and gemstones to accent her pieces, sometimes crushing the stones and mixing them into the paint.

“When you walk a labyrinth, when you exit, you are different because you find your calm,” she said of a piece titled, “The Source of All”, “I didn’t like labyrinths before because it stressed me out because I felt stuck inside. But no, if you take the time to walk...to walk...to walk, you exit karma. So if you have the painting at home, you can do the same.”

Jaspan has exhibited in France, Japan, New York, Philadelphia and Orlando.

Her pieces range from $700 to $7,000 and are available to buy. The church receives a commission on each artwork sold.

Medge Jaspan is the featured artist in the All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church’s art gallery this month.

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Medge Jaspan’s artwork is often inspired by energy and nature, as seen in this painting of sunshine.

Medge Jaspan creates wearable clothing from her artwork as well.

Living and Working on Longboat Key for 40 Years

Cathy C. Meldahl, P.A. Your Longboat Key Community Realtor • Consistent top producer on Longboat Key • In-depth knowledge of the real estate market • Active in our community with Longbeach Village Association Longboat Key Historical Society Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce Longboat Key Garden Club

EXCEEDING SELLERS’ EXPECTATIONS ON LONGBOAT KEY

941.724.7228

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2542 17th Street | Sarasota | 941.366.2404 | www.catdepot.org

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ADOPT. FOSTER. VOLUNTEER. DONATE.

CathyMeldahl@michaelsaunders.com

Register Today!

nd 22

UNDER CONTRACT NEW LISTING!

JUST LISTED

ANNIVERSARY

...AND LIVE THE LIFECONDO OF STYLE! L’ELEGANCE UNDER CONTRACT 2369 Harbour Oaks Dr SELLERS’ ON EXPECTATIONS LIDO BEACH!

EXCEEDING 3 BR |Benjamin 3 BA | 2424 SF 1800 2326 HARBOUR OAKS DR. $1,350,000 | MLS# A4555737 Franklin ON LONGBOAT 3 BR | KEY 2.5Dr. BA B206 | 2,282 SF $1,225,000 MLS#SF A4550092 3 BR | 3 BA | |2090 $3,200,000 | MLS# A4553940

L’ELEGANCE CONDO BUILD YOUR ON LIDO BEACH! DREAMHOME! 1800 Benjamin ...AND JUST LISTED Franklin UNDER CONTRACT 540 HARBOR COVE CIRCLE ...AND Dr. B206 3 BR | 3 BALAND | 2090 SF VACANT LISTING UNDER 2326 HARBOUR OAKS DR. $3,200,000 |CONTRACT MLS# A4553940 $3,400,000

JUST LISTED

CHALLENGE

2326 OAKS 3Residential BRHARBOUR | 2.5 BA | 2,282 SF DR. MLS# A4534178 $1,225,000 | MLS# A4550092 3 BR | 2.5 BA | 2,282 SF Vacant Land MLS# A4535177 $1,225,000 | MLS# A4550092

February 3-5, 2023 Tournament Reception Live music, hors d’oeuvres catered by

BUILD YOUR HOME SALES IN LAST SIX MONTHS DREAMHOME!

2341 HARBOUR OAKS CIR. SOLD FOR $1,275,000

3555 FAIR OAKS LANE SOLD FOR $2,300,000 540 HARBOR COVE CIRCLE

2101 HARBOURSIDE DRIVE SOLD FOR $1,310,000

580 BIRDIE LANE $3,400,000 Residential A4534178 SOLD FOR MLS# $4,260,000

Harry’s Continental Kitchens, cash bar 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2 Longboat Key Public Tennis Center

VACANT LAND LISTING

Tournament

Vacant Land MLS# A4535177

Friday, Feb. 3 through Sunday, Feb. 5 Longboat Key Public Tennis Center

HOME SALES IN LAST SIX MONTHS 2341 HARBOUR OAKS CIR. SOLD FOR $1,275,000

3555 FAIR OAKS LANE SOLD FOR $2,300,000

2101 HARBOURSIDE DRIVE SOLD FOR $1,310,000

580 BIRDIE LANE SOLD FOR $4,260,000

JULIE KLICK

BEVERLY ST. HILAIRE

JulieKlick@michaelsaunders.com

beverlysthilaire@michaelsaunders.com BeverlySellsSarasota.com

941.780.6001 LivingonLongboat.com

Open to All Four Players per Team (2 men, 2 women); Four Levels of Play (Need a team? Let us know; we’ll help arrange)

$50 entry fee per player Includes reception, trophies, balls, refreshments.

Pre-tournament reception: $30/person for non-players

818.416.2505

Call 316-8367 to register.

Longtime residents of Longboat Key with over 30 years of combined experience specializing in Longboat Key real estate.

941.780.6001

BEVERLY ST. HILAIRE

818.416.2505

61 S. Boulevard of the Presidents | Sarasota, FL 34236 | 941.388.4447 | www.michaelsaunders.com beverlysthilaire@michaelsaunders.com JulieKlick@michaelsaunders.com BeverlySellsSarasota.com LivingonLongboat.com

Longtime residents of Longboat Key with over 30 years of

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JULIE KLICK

Sponsors

Friends of Tennis • Longboat Key Public Tennis Center

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26

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

SUNRISE / SUNSET

FRIDAY, JAN. 20

WEATHER

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST

Sunrise Sunset

High: 71 Low: 60 Chance of rain: 24%

27

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

|

Thursday, Jan. 19

7:21a

6:01p

Friday, Jan. 20

7:20a

6:02p

Saturday, Jan. 21

7:20a

6:03p

Sunday, Jan. 22

7:20a

6:03p

SATURDAY, JAN. 21

Monday, Jan. 23

7:20a

6:04p

High: 70 Low: 63 Chance of rain: 39%

Tuesday, Jan. 24

7:19a

6:05p

Wednesday, Jan. 25

7:19a

6:06p

MOON PHASES SUNDAY, JAN. 22 High: 74 Low: 63 Chance of rain: 24%

Jan. 21 New

Jan. 28 First

Feb. 5 Full

Feb. 13 Last

TIDES Highs Lows

Sergio Albuquerque captured this photo of a colorful sunset on Longboat Key.

Thursday, Jan. 19

—

9:01p

5:16a

—

Friday, Jan. 20

—

10:00p

6:09a

—

Saturday, Jan. 21

2:19p

10:58p

6:58a

—

Sunday, Jan. 22

2:30p

11:55p

7:43a

4:38p

Monday, Jan. 23

—

2:45p

8:24a

5:49p

Tuesday, Jan. 24

12:51a

3:01p

9:01a

6:58p

1:49a

3:21p

9:34a

8:08p

Wednesday, Jan. 25 Submit your photos at YourObserver.com/Weather. All submissions will be entered for the 2022-23 Weather and Nature photo contest. In February 2023, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card.

The Observer’s

Weather ENTER: &Nature

Sponsored by

YourObserver.com/contests KITCHEN | CABINETRY OUTDOOR PAVERS

395766-1

2022-23 PHOTO CONTEST

A REFLECTION OF NATURE’S BEAUTY

celebrity cipher

©2023 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

1 “Regretfully ...”

5 Group with submarines 10 Post-punk aesthetic 14 Maker of Froot Loops Waffles 18 Famous person, briefly 20 Mostly smoked joint 21 Barely cooked

38 Really, really

website

100 Willed things

39 Yankees great who hit 696 HRs

65 Cad 66 ___ Tar Pits

103 Grenade, to a gamer 105 *Sticker that says

42 Large settlement?

44 What dogs’ tails do 45 Baton Rouge sch.

69 See 60-Across 71 Apt Super Bowl opponents for the Titans?

“Warning: Margaret’s jokes slay!”?

108 Type for emphasis

46 One-legged support 48 Sushi topping

73 Taiwanese singer Jay 74 Go blond, say

111 Fella 112 Amazon snapper

49 *Plea from a “Little Women” casting director?

55 ___ Palmas

75 See 60-Across 77 “Listen up, iPhone” 80 Taxi

113 *Transgression aboard an ill-fated liner?

118 Inflicted upon

81 Yet another time 83 Remote batteries

120 “That’s my cue!”

121 A.S. ___ (team in Italy’s

22 Crawl (with) 23 Spud 24 *Emotionally supports a 56 Vodka brand, casually 57 Actress Jung-eun or prof’s aide?

27 Subtract 29 “... man ___ mouse?”

30 Savor, as a scene 31 *Issuance of fines for bogeys?

36 Autograph 37 Had a loan from

director Spike 58 “Dry those tears” 60 With 69- and 75-Across,

84 *Start wearing a beret? capital) 90 Words at the altar 122 Detective Holmes 91 Oxymoronic music genre whose name reverses to a

announcement after a 92 Rival of Delta (Abbr.)

Presley concert ... and a hint 93 Possibly will

“solo” synonym 123 Super pumped

to the word removed to form 95 Janitorial tools each starred clue’s answer 97 Peepers

124 “___ of the D’Urbervilles”

63 Visual clutter on a

125 Pirate’s booty

98 Added to an email

“PJ DMKB MKJ BLDJ UGJCBLAJTZ, LH BFJ NHSPTJIVJ BFCB BFJ BLDJ LK CTPCZK GLOJ BS IS GLVFB.” DCGBLH TMBFJG NLHV XG.

“IGM DYZ WYTH YV PUYV IGM XGZ’V PYZV, NG IGM ETRUV YN PCHH VYAC Y DUYZDC GZ XGTZR PUYV IGM HGSC.” LTE DYOOCI

“BUVXV’Z AY HYMAB MA EVMAC JAULHHG LEYJB CXYOMAC YWPVX. TJZB BUMAI YK BUV RMWWMYAZ OUY ULSV EVVA PVAMVP BUV HXMSMWVCV.” NLXG CXLAB © 2023 NEA, Inc.

sudoku

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

©2023 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

395904-1

127 Pills, for short

Puzzle Three Clue: I equals K

59 Very unfortunate 61 Crafty 62 ___-haw DOWN 63 Poke tuna 1 Ballet segment 64 Rapper ___ the Funky 2 Escort to the exit Homosapien 3 Secondary selves 66 “To life,” at a Seder 4 Ranked in a tourney 67 In advance 5 Certain corn chip 68 Justin Bieber and Keith 6 Part of L.A. Richards, as children 7 Devour 70 Hollow cylinder 8 Returns from the Grand 71 Supermodel Hadid Canyon?

72 ___ instant 9 Lead-in to “stat” (momentarily) 10 Future prof’s test 74 Simple song 11 Clumsy sort 76 Surname that sounds 12 Walked (on) like a Barbie toy 13 Mister, in Munich 78 Lagunitas brew, briefly 14 Cultural 79 Regulation 15 Annual fandom gathering 80 Admit (to) for women 82 ID on a lanyard 16 Develop an unwanted 85 Oil grp. routine 86 Have a snack 17 Yemen neighbor 87 African canal obstructed 19 Main force in 2021 25 “Awkward Black Girl” 88 “You can clap now!” creator Issa 89 Protected, as an 26 ‘Twas, in the present invention 28 $$$ exec 94 Fancy bag letters 31 Punch sound 96 Dis-tressing places?

32 Stood 98 Ladders’ partners in a 33 Drink quickly game 34 Prefix with “bot” 99 Poolside structure 35 Chi-Town paper, with 100 Orthodontist’s org. “the” 101 Try to stay safe?

40 Columns that might 102 “Green Eggs and Ham” support platforms? nickname 41 Karate studio 104 Picture file in a 43 Assent accompanying a pronunciation debate hand wave, say 106 ___-Wan Kenobi 45 Super Bowl ___ (2023 107 Drivable toy, for short game) 108 “Really?”

46 Beehive State native 109 Bottom-left PC key 47 Throw on 110 “Scat, cat!”

50 Womb 114 Brooding music genre 51 Golf target 115 Pic from a parlor 52 Edison’s middle name 116 ___ half bad 53 German chancellor 117 Affectionate text Scholz 119 Surgery sites, briefly 54 Prohibition related to nukes 126 Man/goat of legend

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

Puzzle Two Clue: W equals F

FAREWELL TOUR by Jessie and Ross Trudeau, edited by David Steinberg

Puzzle One Clue: U equals C

crossword

1-19-23

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

RED PAGES

SHIP YOUR car, truck or SUV anywhere in the United States.

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

Painting

DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at 2PM The Longboat Observer reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher. *It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in the Longboat Observer to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with towncodes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property.

Notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Merchandise Wanted Tired of polishing your sterling?

I buy sterling flatware, etc.

(530)701-1906

real estate

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

MEN'S CASHMERE Top Coat size 46R Gray (England) never worn $75. Will send photo 941-927-2029 PIANO ROLLS - Assorted Aeolian and QRS player piano rolls. $5 each.( 941)926-7254 SCHWINN MERIDIAN 26" Adult Tricycle--Used. $100. SingleSpeed Drivetrain. Pick up LBK. 941 383-9510

jobs

CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

WOOD PICKET FENCE- 114 ft & 2 gates, used but nice condition.

Siesta Key. $200. 941-346-1688

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

941809-3660, 941-809-3662.

Merchandise Wanted

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

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

Please call Marc: 941-321-0707

Visit the RED PAGES

YourObserver.com/RedPages WEEKLY MONTHLY SEASONAL RATES Beachfront, Bayfront and In Between Houses or Condos

abbie144@gmail.com

Reservations 941-383-5577

HOME & Office Cleaners Wanted $620/Weekly Cleaning Position: Available Working Days: Mon-Fri Time Schedule: 11 AM - 2 P Minimum Requirement Email: candice75312@gmail.com

wagnerlbkrentals@gmail.com Visa/MC 5360 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Suite 101

GARAGE SALE

Rental office 9a.m. - 5p.m.

941-955-4888

Ask about our special rates!

Longboat Key, FL 34228 M-F

As low as $17.50 per week!

©2023 Universal Uclick

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always ripe to do right.”

Martin Luther King Jr. Puzzle Two Solution: “You can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.”

Jim Carrey Puzzle Three Solution: “There’s no point in being unhappy about growing older. Just think of the millions who have been denied the privilege.”

Cary Grant

This week’s Sudoku answers

Wagner Realty Since 1939 www.rentalsonlongboat.com

WANTED: PRIVATE Beginner Pickleball Lessons. Seeking a very talented, patient, and upbeat player to provide up to five lessons for 2-4 people in January. LBK or nearby vicinity preferred. (917) 442-4688

Auto Service

©2023 NEA, Inc.

Beauty

Amanda Abizaid

SELL YOUR CAR!

Hairstylist Colorist Makeup Artist

FAST • EASY • SAFE

WE COME TO YOU

Located in salons by jc 200 Central Ave. Suite 15, Sarasota

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OUR ONLINE TOOLS MAKE IT EASY TO PLACE YOUR AD

Tutoring

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

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Please send resume and salary requirements.

Autos Wanted

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I take pride in my work.

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LONGBOAT KEY gulf front penthouse, 2/2 with washer and dryer, heated pool and spa, elevator, covered parking.

Call or text owner- 941-545-6678

ADMINSTRATIVE ASSISTANT Longboat Key Condominium is looking for a administrative assistant responsible for performing administrative and clerical tasks. Duties include providing support for our management company and Board members. The candidate needs excellent interpersonal & communication skills. Create a welcoming environment for owners and renters. Handle owner/renter inquires, answer the telephone, schedule appointments and manage relationships with vendors in a professional manner. Have experience with word processing, spreadsheets and email. Working knowledge of printers, copiers, scanners and fax machine.

2018 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Conver HSE Dynamic 2-door utility convertible $59,900.

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Help Wanted

Autos for Sale

SARASOTA INTERIOR PAINTING

LONGBOAT KEY Bayside Condo with Gulf View Available January-March 2024 3 month minimum 2 bedroom/2 bath Portobello 4th Floor Spectacular views

You’re only cheating yourself.

ADVERTISE YOUR MERCHANDISE with the total value of all items $200 or less in this section for FREE! Limit 1 ad per month,15 words or less. Price must be included next to each item. No commercial advertising.

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer.

Call 941-955-4888 Or Email ad to: classified@yourobserver.com (Please provide your name and address) Or Online at: www.yourobserver.com Or mail to: The Observer Group 1970 Main St. - 3rd Floor Sarasota, Fl 34236

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35+ years experience.

This week’s Crossword answers

peekers’ place

Items Under $200

auto

stuff

Vacation/ Seasonal Rentals

home services

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

redpages@yourobserver.com • yourobserver.com/redpages

Auto Transport

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

Insurance

Call TODAY For a Free Quote • Florida Owned & Operated

Call TODAY For a Free Quote · Florida Owned & Operated

Furniture Sales & Repairs Cushions • Slings • Re-powdercoating

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Roofing

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Home • Condo • Auto • Umbrella • Boat • Flood

1/10/23, 10:25 AM

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BLACK LABEL CAR SERVICE

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We only use the finest quality Benjamin Moore paints!

25

UP TO

STANDARD WINDOWS

5

$

ows

150

$

senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

Purified water window cleaning available!!

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Lic./Ins.

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1/1

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

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Booked Referral Program Next Ride with Booked Referral

OBSERVER RED PAGES

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

chrome_qrcode_1671726737617.png

Transportation

396421

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Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

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Insurance

SECUR-ALL INSURANCE AGENCY

Sandra Smith

| 941.383.3388

510 BAY ISLES ROAD, SUITE 1 • LONGBOAT KEY, FL (Next to SUNTRUST BANK)

CHUBB, AIG, UNIVERSAL, UNITED, SAFECO, PROGRESSIVE, VAULT, FLOOD, WE HAVE YOU COVERED!

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29

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

395961

Doors

|

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

ROGER SELLS LUXURY WATERFRONT PROPERTIES MORE THAN $206 MILLION CLOSED IN 2021

97 SOUTH WASHINGTON DRIVE

$11,500,000

Experience this stunning bayfront estate in person! Just a sunny walk from famed St. Armands Circle. Situated on two lots in a corner location, spanning more than a half-acre, this impressive 5BR residence is set among lush, professionally managed greenery beside the coastal landscape of Sarasota Bay.

www.97SouthWashington.com

1800 BEN FRANKLIN DRIVE #A604

$3,299,000

Delightful Gulf-to-bay living at L’Elegance on Lido Beach!

This sixth-floor, 3BR island getaway is a flourish of gorgeous contemporary updates perfectly complemented by spectacular direct views from the Gulf of Mexico out to Sarasota Bay and downtown’s city skyline. Includes secure parking!

www.LEleganceA604.com

3040 GRAND BAY BOULEVARD #224

$2,295,000

Contemporary updates, stylish furnishings (some included!) and stunning direct views welcome you to this 3BR Cayman residence at Grand Bay. Two parking spaces and deeded access to private beach included!

www.GrandBay224.com

201 NORTH WASHINGTON DRIVE 15111 GADDY UP RANCH ROAD Country breezes rustling through century old oaks and pines welcome you to this unique, 821/2-acre property thoughtfully known as the Gaddy Up Ranch, offering many possibilities for family ranch living.

wwww.GaddyUpRanchSRQ.com

$3,995,000

$2,500,000

The walkable location of this St. Armands home will immediately draw you in. Just steps from the some of the best spots in Sarasota, offering an oversized lot for you to design your dream home. The immaculate Gulf beaches of Lido and Longboat Keys are only a short, sunny bike ride away.

www.201NorthWashington.com

CALL TODAY FOR YOUR EXCLUSIVE TOUR (941) 387-1840 443 John Ringling Boulevard, Suite F | Sarasota, FL 34236 595 Bay Isles Road, Suite 250 | Longboat Key, FL 34228 Pettingell.com | www.bestSarasotarealestate.net Twitter.com/RealRoger | Instagram.com/RogerPettingell | Roger@Pettingell.com Owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC 395297-1

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