Longboat Observer 2.16.23

A reason to margarita

Get ready to celebrate your new favorite holiday. National Margarita Day is Feb. 22, which falls on a Wednesday this year. The tequila bottles aligned with the stars because every Wednesday, La Villa Mexican Grill brings in a mariachi band from 5-8 p.m.

If you can’t celebrate and sing along in person for the special occasion, owner Estella Villegas has a couple tips for a DIY margarita party.

Start with a strong tequila.

Patron is great for shots, but 1800 or Jose Cuervo are better choices when mixing up a margarita. And for a richer, sweeter flavor, add a splash of either Grand Marnier or Gran Gala instead of triple sec.

Delays move to the north

DANCING THROUGH THE DECADES

Courtesy photo

Peacock sighting

A peacock took a minute to rest on a Longboat Key resident’s porch on Fox Street recently.

Peacocks have long been an animal of note on the barrier island, with some adoring their presence and others — not so much.

Some residents were displeased with others’ desire to limit their presence on the island.

When the birds began proliferating on the island, specifically in Longbeach Village, the town’s approach was to remove all female birds but allow 10-12 male birds to maintain their residence.

Raccoons have recently taken the top spot for problem animals, for they have made restaurant Euphemia Haye’s dumpster their go-to evening gathering spot.

Lesley Dwyer

Estella Villegas makes a mean margarita.

Lesley Dwyer

Suzy Brenner, Amy Steinhauser, Irina LaRose and Carol Peschel dance at the Paradise Center’s annual fundraiser on Feb. 12. The event raised money for all the programs it provides Longboat residents.

Lesley Dwyer

Serge Gauthier, host and director of the show Mariloup Wolfe, and Sonia Gauthier French

Town settles after sewer main break

PIPELINE TIMELINE

DEC. 2015: The town seeks engineers to evaluate the status of its sewer main

The town of Longboat Key is entering into a settle

ment agreement regarding an incorrect sewer main life estimate it received from a consultant.

In December 2015, the town entered a contract with Greeley and Hansen, an environmental engineering firm, to perform a condition assessment on the town’s wastewater pipeline running under Sarasota Bay to Manatee County’s Southwest Water Reclamation Facility.

After conducting internal and external assessments of the pipe, the engineering firm concluded that at least 20 years of useful life remained in the sewer main and that it had minimal risk for “catastrophic failure.”

In June 2020, about three years after the inspection, a pipeline leak due to corrosion was discovered in an underground area of mangroves on the Manatee County side of the bay.

The corrosion resulted in about 14 million gallons of effluent escaping from the pipeline.

The town incurred fees of more than $440,000 because of the leaked wastewater and was required to address administrative enforcement action from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

An FDEP consent order required payment of more than $242,000. The town was allowed to make the payment with a number of deliverables and in-kind projects rather than making a cash payment.

As of January, the town has completed all required deliverables and in-kind projects. It also paid $15,000 to the Nature Coast Mitigation Bank

as required by the order.

The town’s total costs included emergency repairs, engineers, lawyers, fines and penalties from FDEP, according to a memorandum from Town Attorney Maggie Mooney.

Representatives of residents on the Longbar Point property, where the leak occurred, have reached out to the town with intent to pursue damages against the town. The town hired Martin Garcia from the law firm Garcia Dell to act as litigation counsel and pursue potential claims.

After meeting with Greeley and Hansen, a settlement agreement was reached for the following terms and commission consideration:

n The engineering firm will pay the town $425,000 as part of a resolution of the town’s claims and threatened claims against the firm.

n The parties will enter into a mutual release relating to the claims presented, any potential or threatened claims and provide complete releases for the work performed by each party.

n The release will include releases of the engineering firm’s agents, employees, former employees, consultants, affiliates, successors and insurers. The town’s release will

include commissioners, employees, consultants and agents for any claims arising from or related to the assessment of the spill.

n Payments will be made in no more than three installments. The last payment must be paid on or before Oct. 31, 2023.

n Settlement is subject to mutually agreeable settlement documents and the town’s approval process.

Mooney and Garcia recommended the Town Commission accept the terms. Commissioners opted to forward the issue to a special meeting, which will be held immediately after the Feb. 21 workshop.

The special meeting is required as commissioners are not allowed to vote during workshop meetings because they are meant only for updates and discussion.

AUG. 14, 2017: Greeley and Hansen provided the town their evaluation report. The report estimated the pipe had at least 20 more years of useful life.

JUNE 29, 2020:

A leak is identified in the pipeline and spilled about 14 million gallons of untreated wastewater into the Sarasota Bay. The break measured about 22 square inches.

JUNE 30, 2020:

The town hires emergency engineers to repair the broken pipe.

SEPT. 2020: State seeks $242,000 in fines over the spill NOV. 2022: Construction begins on the mainland portion of the sewer main.

JAN. 2023: The town receives $3 million in federal funding for the portion of the pipeline that runs under the bay. Town staff is continuing to seek additional funding to cover expected costs of design and construction. The town believes replacing both portions will cost about $21.7 million.

Consultant Greeley and Hansen has agreed to pay the town $425,000 for damages incurred.

Representatives of residents on the Longbar Point property, where the leak occurred, have reached out to the town with intent to pursue damages against the town.

TRAFFIC TROUBLES MOVE TO NORTH END

The town braced for headaches associated with a Bradenton Beach sewer line project, but commissioners have received few complaints.

LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

Traffic on the north end of Longboat has ramped up, but it is unclear whether the Bradenton Beach sewer line replacement project is the cause or if it’s just the annual culprit: busy seasonal traffic.

The Manatee County Public Works Department is working on replacing and relocating a portion of the gravity sewer collection system for the city on Anna Maria Island.

The project includes installation of about one mile of new sewer main along Gulf Drive. Twenty-one maintenance holes will be installed along with 100 new 6-inch service laterals, which serve as connections between a private property and the sewer main in the right of way.

The new pipeline will extend from the current pipe on Gulf Drive down each side street from Sixth Street to 13th Street.

Road repairs are included in the county’s plans.

The construction, although inevitable, caused some Longboat Key residents to prepare for the likely headache the project would cause in combination with the increase in traffic through the busy season.

“As if construction in Sarasota is not enough, this will be impacting our residents going to Bradenton,”

Commissioner BJ Bishop wrote in an email.

However, Mayor Ken Schneier said he has not heard that it’s had an impact on residents so far.

“I have heard no complaints at all about north-end traffic,” he said.

He personally recalled a traffic problem he experienced last Tuesday afternoon. He sat on the Longboat Pass bridge for about 30 minutes before making the decision to turn around. Schneier said he could not say for sure if the issue was caused by the sewer line project.

According to the city’s website, no lane closures are expected, but it is shifting traffic as needed to com

plete the work. The city plans weekend work to be limited. The regular construction schedule runs 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Parking along Gulf Drive on the Gulf side is limited, pushing beach-goers further south.

The repairs and replacement of the sewer infrastructure will improve the resiliency of the Bradenton Beach sewer system, increase its capacity and reduce the risks of pipeline leaks, the city’s website said. The project is also supposed to reduce groundwater infiltration into the system, limiting the amount of water the sewer treatment plant is expected to handle.

The project was part of the county’s capital improvement plan. The final cost of the project is expected to be about $7.1 million.

As it stands, construction is planned for completion in late 2024, as weather conditions allow.

In the city’s list of frequently asked questions, a list of long-term benefits were provided and include:

n Protects public and environmental health by preventing sanitary system overflows caused by aging sewer pipes.

n Improves service reliability by relocating sewer connections to the county right of way.

n Increases private property access and use by eliminating existing utility easements.

n Extends the service life of existing roads by preventing gravity main leaks that cause pavement damage.

n Improves pumping capacity and avoids costly replacement of the existing lift station by eliminating storm and ground water infiltration.

n Alleviates potential sanitary sewer backups by removing multiproperty connections and providing each property with its own connection to the gravity main.

n Reduces odor in the community

during the maintenance of the sanitary sewer collection system.

Longboat Key residents on the Manatee County side of the island will not experience an increase in sewer bill rates following the project, the project site says.

TRAFFIC CONGESTION

CONTINUES ON SOUTH END

Motorists were told to expect daytime traffic delays Monday and Tuesday in the area of the roundabout at U.S. 41 and Gulfstream Avenue.

According to the Florida Department of Transportation Southwest Florida division, a lane closure was planned for the majority of both days starting at 7 a.m. and concluding at 4 p.m.

The northbound outside lane of U.S. 41 between Gulfstream Avenue and Fruitville Road remained closed while crews installed underground piping for storm draining on U.S. 41 at First Street.

The daytime closures this week are far from the only pains the new roundabout has caused a couple of months after its official opening. While the roundabout itself opened at the end of 2022, FDOT is still working on finishing the project.

Hurricane Ian was the major hiccup in construction plans that were continually on track to be fully completed by the end of 2022 as materials, equipment and manpower were sent south.

One of the worst backups experienced by daytime closures occurred last month as motorists were stuck in traffic coming off the island for hours, causing some to miss doctor’s appointments and flights.

“I took an oath to ensure the health, welfare and safety of our citizens,” Bishop wrote after the incident. “That mission failed miserably this week. It cannot happen again.”

Since those unexpected lane closures, FDOT has sent notifications of lane closures ahead of time.

CONSOLIDATION CONVERSATION

After word of state legislators potentially pursuing a consolidation study for the jurisdictions on Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach, town commissioners and residents began to ask themselves: What would happen to Longboat Key?

As of now, nothing, because the call for the study has been dropped.

In the past, Longboat Key has pursued a “one county” initiative to move the entirety of the town into Sarasota County rather than being split between the two.

The conversation lingers as the town moves to ensure quality relationships with both counties moving forward. For example, the town is working alongside Manatee County in the design development of a roundabout on Broadway at Gulf of Mexico Drive and with Sarasota County for the development of a library at the continually developing Town Center Green.

Traffic is heightened with the help of the area’s busy season.

Photos by Lauren Tronstad

Crews works on the Bradenton Beach sewer line replacement Tuesday morning.

Detours are used for bikers and walkers since the bike lane is infringed upon in some places.

should begin as soon as possible afterward.

Pat Watral was among attendees with past CPR experience. She used to be a lifeguard, which requires certification.

Longboat residents learn basics of CPR

LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

IF YOU GO

Free 45-minute CPR trainings are available at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. on various weekdays through the rest of February and throughout March at the Fire Rescue Station 91, 5490 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Call the administrative personnel at 941-316-1944 or visit Facebook.com/ TownOfLBK for more information.

The Longboat Key Fire Department’s CPR training course has returned for the first time since the pandemic, acting as a refresher course for some attendees and a first look for others.

The course does not certify attendees in hands-only CPR or the use of an automated external defibrillator, but it does provide them with the basic skills that can be the difference between life and death.

Fifteen people attended the department’s Feb. 10 course.

“We’ve done (CPR training) several times before, but that was years ago,” Pam Toft said. “We wanted to take this as a refresher.”

Toft and her husband, Graham, took the course together after encouragement from their daughter to keep their knowledge up to date.

Learning the difference between cardiac arrest and a heart attack and which case to use CPR for stood out to the couple as information they had not learned before.

When someone is experiencing a heart attack, CPR should not be administered as they are already conscious with a pulse, Fire Chief Paul Dezzi told attendees. Ensuring no obstructions, such as a shirt or under garments, when administering CPR is key to performing it properly.

The individual performing CPR should aim to do between 100 and 120 compressions per minute, pressing about 2 inches into the chest.

For each minute chest compressions are not being performed, the likelihood of that person surviving decreases by about 10%, Dezzi said.

Of course, it is essential that emergency personnel are notified of the issue first, but compressions

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“I wanted to make sure my knowledge was current,” Watral said. “The updates he taught us were faster and easier to remember.”

Updates included how to determine where to place hands. Previously, Watral was taught to measure two fingers above the diaphragm, but Dezzi instructed the class to place their palms in the middle of the nipple line.

The placement is the same; it’s just a faster determination.

At the conclusion of the class, Dezzi gave a tour of the station to those interested and discussed further the responsibilities and day-today in the department.

Watral pinpointed the relationship between Manatee County, Sarasota County and the town as information she had always been curious about.

When learning how to use an AED, a few of the attendees commented that they were unaware that using one was as simple as placing patches on the patient and waiting for further instructions from the machine.

After the AED analyzes the heart

rhythm, it will provide the prompt to either administer the shock or that a shock is unnecessary. Administering the shock is as easy as pushing the button labeled “shock.”

The department is hosting courses throughout the months of February and March. All the courses are free, but the majority of them have been fully booked. Courses last one hour and are free. Class sizes are limited to 18 people each. All of the March classes still have spots available.

“Usually, the later classes fill up once people have attended and tell their friends and neighbors about it,” Dezzi said in an interview last month.

It is not uncommon for residents to come back after their first training as a way to receive a refresher course, which the department encourages, he said.

This year, instead of outsourcing training, the department has opted to use on-duty in-house firefighter/ paramedics to teach residents. This also allows for the department to host more training dates than if they were to contract out another agency to do it.

Dezzi led the entirety of the Feb. 10 course as firefighter/paramedics completed required training.

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The course covers the basics of hands-only CPR and the use of an AED.

Pat Watral (right) shows Pam Toft how to hold her arm while performing CPR while Toft’s husband, Graham, watches.

Photos by Lauren Tronstad

Chief Paul Dezzi leads the Feb. 10 CPR course.

Town seeks solutions for Town Center parking

LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

At the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce’s concert held Feb. 4 at the Town Center Green, the event had a sold-out crowd of about 324 people.

Although chamber ambassador and owner of Design2000 Irina LaRose said parking was not a big issue because of the event’s limited number of tickets and VIP parking available for attendees, it still came up as a subject of conversation.

“There was some frustration from people having to park at Publix and walk over,” she said.

LaRose said once construction around the Town Center clears up, some of the parking issues may be alleviated, but while everyone was presumably able to find a spot, close parking is limited at the Town Center.

“We definitely could use some more parking no matter how you slice it,” LaRose said.

At their Feb. 6 regular meeting, Longboat town commissioners agreed.

“One of the things people are going to complain about when they come to an event is parking,” Commissioner Mike Haycock said.

The agenda item that sparked the conversation discussed allowable uses for the Town Center development as construction moves forward.

The Planning and Zoning Board unanimously approved the site development plans for the new town facility, with the recommendation that commissioners look into ways to increase parking on-site.

The final site development plan includes 81 parking spaces, some of which are already developed. That does not include spaces that would follow the construction of a library or community center on the property, for the development would have to come back to the Planning and Zoning Board and commissioners for approval.

However, a study by consultant Kimley Horn and Associates estimated that 105 spaces are needed for a small event at Town Center Green; 480 spaces would be needed for a medium-sized event; and 1,000 spaces would be needed for a large event that has up to 2,500 people on the great lawn, such as the Fourth of July Freedom Fest.

“Even with the limited events we have had so far, everybody is trying to figure out how to squeeze in,”

Commissioner Sherry Dominick said. “Parking is difficult with even what we have at this point, so I think we need to take the bull by the horns. This notion of ‘we’ll figure it out’ ... when someone applies for an event is simply kicking the can ... I don’t think that is going to be helpful to us.”

That leaves the town looking for other ways to include more parking from surrounding businesses, churches and organizations. Commissioners said the town might be able to enter agreements with these entities for use of their parking lots when needed for large events. If the town is successful in forming such agreements, it could increase parking capacity for events by up to 681 spaces if events take place in the evening.

A special event transportation management plan for the Town Center Green was proposed with potential items including:

n Event parking pricing

n Off-site parking

n Encouraging other modes of transportation, such as biking

n Valet locations

n Ride share drop-off and pick-up locations

n Disabled passenger drop-off and pick-up areas

The management plan also recommended consideration of signage, police control at intersections and ensuring the public is notified of parking options. The plan would be the responsibility of the event applicant to complete before coming for-

ward for an event permit.

Commissioners and town staff discussed whether it would be best to move forward with parking plans for the 81 spaces or to plan ahead for large events and the community center by adding additional spaces to the current development plan.

The town’s planned unit development rules require parking spaces to have a certain setback from the road. This limits the number of spaces that can be added to the existing parking lot and the development as construction progresses.

Street parking along Bay Isles Road is a possibility, but only on one side of the street. It would also not count toward required parking spaces for future events or developments.

“There will likely be some growing pains,” Town Manager Howard Tipton said of tackling the issue. “There

are going to be events that are too big for this spot.”

Commissioners unanimously approved the proposed site development plan, which will move forward for a second reading.

TOWN CENTER GREEN STATUS

The Town Center Green development is in phase two. Construction continues on the privately funded stage. Phase three, which includes the development of a community center, has not been planned yet as design of the center still needs to be completed and agreed upon.

The town and Sarasota County commissioners have come to an agreement on what is expected of the relationship between the pair when moving forward with laying out programming for the center.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT PETS?

When it comes to where Town Center Green attendees are able to have their pooches, staff proposed an ordinance that would allow pets as long as they are leashed.

Commissioners were split on their opinions on the issue. Some said they preferred that the town prohibit dogs on the property. Others did not see a problem with allowing the furry friends on the green. Ultimately, commissioners decided to move forward with rules that would not allow pets on the center oval, grassy area.

Commissioners discussed the need for more parking to accommodate events for the development.

Courtesy rendering

Commissioners forwarded the proposed Town Center site development plan with 81 parking spaces to second reading.

Canadians make ‘The Big Move’

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

St. Armands Circle is the Rodeo Drive of Sarasota. The stores are flanked by palm trees and filled with designer labels. With the Gulf of Mexico serving as a backdrop, it’s a dream location for a business or a set. So, Sonia and Serge Gauthier are sharing their dreamcome-true on camera.

This past November, the couple changed the sign on 369 John Ringling Blvd. to read Gauthier. On Sunday, a television crew shot footage of the Gauthiers in their salon for a reality show called “Le Grand Move” or “The Big Move.”

The French Canadian series follows people moving from the province of Quebec to places all over the world. The first season followed families moving from the city to the countryside. Now in its third season, the series is following families making the big move to the United States.

“We have a main family that we’re following, and Sonia and Serge are the family that is already established,” producer Annie Beauchemin said. “For each episode, we always go to meet another family that did the big move before them, so they can tell them things about their move to help them.”

The Gauthiers both grew up in Quebec — Sonia, 38, in the city, and Serge, 42, in Nominingue, a small village in the province. They moved to Florida in October 2021 and spent time in Venice, Tampa and Clearwater before falling in love with Sarasota.

At the start, the Gauthiers only knew Florida was their destination. While they’d never visited, Sonia called it paradise and said a mentor planted a seed in their hearts that they could be entrepreneurs in Florida and live the life they truly wanted.

A trip to a spa in Mexico transformed their dream into a plan. Sonia saw the spa and said, “This is what I want in Florida.”

“People call me Sonia Sunshine,” she said. “With 12 months of sunshine, no matter who you are, you can make it in Florida. You just have to have a lot of courage and a lot of determination. Everything is mindset. You have to believe you can make it.”

A little luck and a Facebook account can also help. When “Le Grand Move” was looking for families in Southwest Florida, a friend shared the show’s Facebook post with Sonia and encouraged her to apply.

Facebook is also where Sonia saw the salon’s real estate listing for the first time last May. It was posted by a real estate agent she’d worked with in Tampa and titled “out-of-market listing.” The Gauthiers jumped on the opportunity and opened their salon six months later.

Just after signing the paperwork, the sun took a respite and paradise got boarded up as Hurricane Ian made its way to land. With no damage done to their new business bet, the experience only watered the couple’s freshly planted roots.

“If we can go through a hurricane, we’re good.” Sonia said with her signature smile.

Locals may remember the now Gauthier Salon & Wellness Spa as either Karma Luna or the longbeloved Green Ginger Hair Salon. Both brought with them a good number of French clientele, who can rest easy knowing the salon remains bilingual.

For now, the salon offers the basics of hair, nails, makeup and massage and offers permanent makeup. It also has an esthetician on staff, as well as a mascot — the Gauthier’s 8-year-old, 70-pound Australian

shepherd who loves nothing more than to greet and sit with customers. Services yet to come are reiki and breath work. “We’re little French Canadians who moved here with a big dream, put all of our life into this, sold every-

easy The Living is

thing, and sometimes, it’s hard,” Sonia said. “But we find that people here are very welcoming. They’ve taken us in their arms. They’re so nice. They want us to succeed.”

A French Canadian television show filmed at the Gauthier Salon & Wellness Spa on Sunday.

Lesley Dwyer Serge and Sonia Gauthier

than 1.1 million votes cast on HGTV.com. We’re proud to have our Gulf Stream, FL home voted the most spectacular home in the U.S. This winning Florida estate was listed by Paula Wittmann and Michelle Noga of William Raveis.

LONGBOAT

No longer inexpensive

Housing costs (and government) have made Florida expensive. A great reason to fix policies.

shortage and rising cost of housing have become especially acute.

They are especially exacerbated in destination resort-retirement communities similar to Greater Sarasota-Bradenton.

But these conditions are not just affecting Sarasota. Here is the reality: Florida is no longer an inexpensive place to live.

Just the opposite.

TOP MEDIAN HOME PRICES IN U.S.

The table shows the median home prices for the 20 most expensive U.S. markets and Florida’s metro markets for single-family homes and the change in prices from the fourth quarter of 2021 to the fourth quarter of 2022.

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

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

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

Executive Editor and COO / Kat Wingert, KWingert@YourObserver.com

Managing Editor / Eric Garwood, EGarwood@YourObserver.com

MATT WALSH

“The fundamental (but recently forgotten) core mission of cities is to accelerate the upward social and economic mobility of its inhabitants.”

Joel Kotkin, Chapman University

“Planners should maximize the extent to which people can plan their own lives.”

M. Nolan Gray

Author, “Arbitrary Lines”

Longboat Key residents — be they full or part time — are not likely to think or worry much about it, but the most pressing economic issue squeezing this region like a mean vice is the high cost of housing.

The adverse effects of this are being felt in everyday living throughout the region, and, as other regions have shown, they will only worsen in years to come. That is, unless policymakers and the public have the courage and goodwill for dramatic changes.

Surely, you have experienced the effects of high housing costs — and not just the price you paid for your home or condo. Here is one: You call your doctor for an appointment, and the automated answering voice apologizes and says the doctor’s office is short-staffed. That is the situation virtually everywhere.

At the same time, we hear story after story how the cost of housing has scared off job recruits from moving here. Business owners tell us how they hired candidates, only to lose them once the candidate tried to find affordable housing.

Talk to every business owner in this region, and she or he will tell you hiring skilled people is the number one challenge.

That critical shortage of skilled labor is a result of the shortage of affordable housing for the middle and starter classes of workers.

This imbalance certainly isn’t new. It has been a slow, tightening squeeze for two decades. But in the wake of the pandemic, the labor

The accompanying table shows Florida has 18 of the 100 most expensive metro markets ranked by median sales prices for single-family homes. That is nearly 20% of the total, and it includes every metro market in Florida, except Ocala, which ranks 106th.

The cause of this is simple economics: Supply and demand. Florida’s population growth — a 50-year phenomenon — has outstripped the growth in supply.

But go a step further. When you look into “why” the supply has not kept up, that’s when the issue becomes more complicated. Multiple forces have restricted the supply.

One of the chief inhibitors is existing residents. Just as the sun rises in the east, throughout Florida, and especially in northern Sarasota County, the minute a developer proposes apartments anywhere or, say, a 100-home development in the suburbs, nearby neighbors show up at commission meetings in opposition.

To an extent, it’s understandable. Few people like their neighborhoods and streets to change (e.g. more people). You can also say it’s an economic benefit for existing residents to restrict supply. Look what that has done to the value of homes on Longboat Key.

Perhaps the biggest inhibitor to supply is at the governmental level.

Over the decades, elected officials have adopted encyclopedias of zoning and development ordinances that make it near impossible to build starter homes that would allow a builder to make a profit.

It’s routine for developers to go through multiple public hearings with their lawyers, engineers and architects at their sides, each running the clock on their fees and driving up the cost of housing.

Add to that the myriad impact fees and other regulatory requirements, and the costs keep rising.

Two examples: minimum lot sizes and parking requirements. Allowing smaller lot sizes and fewer parking requirements would reduce land and planning costs dramatically.

After Houston lowered minimum lot size requirements, it saw the construction of 25,000 new starter units around the city.

When the California Legislature

MEDIAN PRICES ON LONGBOAT KEY

legalized accessory dwelling units (e.g. garage apartments) in 2016, those units grew from almost none in 2016 to 10,000 in 2021.

These examples show there are multiple paths to incentivizing the development of more affordable housing. In fact, there is a new organization sweeping the country — YIMBY Action (Yes In My Back Yard), a national not-for-profit with local chapters working to change laws and incentives in ways that bring about more affordable housing for working people. If there is a market ripe for this

kind of effort, it is Greater Sarasota and the city of Sarasota in particular. (There is a YIMBY Tampa, YimbyTampa.com.)

Instead of addressing the question of what it can do to make it less costly to develop housing, Sarasota city commissioners are now seriously exploring becoming the developer and owners of belowmarket rate apartments. This is worse than the city thinking it can operate a golf course.

Suffice it to say, while it’s too late for Longboat Key ever to become a locale for more affordable housing, Longboat residents, and all Sarasota-Manatee residents, for that matter, have a financial and lifestyle stake in the region’s supply of housing.

Surely, everyone’s preference would be to have an economically flourishing region that offers great opportunities “for the upward social and economic mobility of its inhabitants.”

Moody part 2: Declare cartels terrorists

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody escalated her and other attorneys general’s pressure on the Biden administration to respond forcefully to the Mexican drug cartels, demanding the cartels be declared foreign terrorist organizations.

This follows their request last summer to declare fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction.

Moody and 20 other attorneys general sent a letter to President Biden Feb. 8, a day after the president’s State of the Union address.

“It’s evident that the Mexican drug cartels are terrorist organizations,” Moody said in a press release. “They are trafficking deadly fentanyl directly across the border, and it is killing tens of thousands of Americans every year. They are also fueling extreme violence at the Southwest border and beyond.” Separately, Moody also continued

to criticize President Biden for his lack of action against the cartels and the flow of fentanyl. Asked to respond to Biden’s reference to the fentanyl crisis during his State of the Union address, Moody told the Observer:

“Just like his terrible immigration policies, Biden’s plan to stop Mexican fentanyl from killing Americans is a total disaster and overlooks the fact that he created this crisis, and he alone has the ability to immediately reverse the skyrocketing death toll by simply doing his job, following the law and securing the border.

“Sadly, I am not surprised that at a time when we desperately need leadership on this important issue, all we are getting from this president is lip service.

“It was an insult to the men and women who wear the badge that have been dealing with the effects of his dereliction of duty—saying in his SOTU that they would now ‘launch’ a major surge to stop fentanyl.

“Biden caused this crisis, his policies have fueled it and he has buried his head in the sand …”

Also in an interview last week with the Observer, Moody expressed her incredulity at Biden

totally ignoring discussing fentanyl, the cartels and China’s involvement during his Jan. 9 meetings with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

“This is the number one killer of our working age population, and … it wasn’t even the main topic of conversation.

“If you’re the president charged with the security of our nation and protecting your people, why is that not your number one goal when meeting with these heads of state?

Moody says the governments of China and Mexico are well aware of what their manufacture and distribution of fentanyl is doing to the American people.

“This is the number one thing facing the health and vitality and success of our nation right now. But it seems to be very far down the list in terms of priorities for this president.

“[Biden]sets on his agendas to talk about diversity with the Mexican president over fentanyl … The approach of this administration is completely backward.”

Designating fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction and the cartels as terrorist organizations would

allow the federal government to engage the U.S. military with other federal agencies and give state and federal law enforcement agencies increased powers to freeze cartel assets, deny entry to cartel members and allow prosecutors to pursue tougher punishments against anyone providing material support to the cartels.

Unless these steps are taken to stop the flow of the drug, Moody says Floridians can expect the death tolls to continue to rise — in spite of the diligent efforts of Florida law enforcement agencies.

“Thankfully, we have a governor who is willing to address these challenges head on,” Moody said.

“When I said we’re going to need more resources so we can bring those to bear to our police and sheriffs’ agencies, he and legislative leaders have now proposed that so we can have specific strike teams against fentanyl.

“While our law enforcement officers have responded admirably, the challenge will only get more difficult if the administration remains on course with such a dangerous and reckless approach to the border.” — MW

Staff Writers / Lesley Dwyer, LDwyer@YourObsever.com; Lauren Tronstad, LTronstad@YourObsever.com Digital & Engagement Editor / Kaelyn Adix, KAdix@YourObserver.com

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

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

Observer Media Group Inc. is locally owned.

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

CEO / Matt Walsh

Vice President / Lisa Walsh

Chairman Emeritus / David Beliles

1970 Main St. Sarasota, FL 34236 941-366-3468

Attorney General Ashley Moody

At Sarasota Memorial, you’ll find the award-winning comprehensive cardiovascular care that you need to stay active and living the life you want to live. Whether it’s a sudden heart attack or a chronic condition, our expert team of cardiologists, electrophysiologists and cardiovascular surgeons stand ready, equipped with state-of-the-art technology to deliver both rapid diagnosis and equally swift intervention. And a multidisciplinary approach to collaborative care ensures every patient receives the personalized treatment they need to get them back on their feet and back with the people they love.

Because home , not the hospital , is where the heart should be .

SATURDAY, FEB. 4

BACK IN

2:46 p.m., Sarasota Bay

Boat-miscellaneous: An officer was dispatched to Sarasota Bay in the area of Grand Bay Boulevard after reports of an aground personal watercraft. Once the officer arrived at the scene, he spoke to the operator, who said he was able to push his watercraft back into deeper water.

APP MISTAKE

4:36 p.m., 700 block of Putting Green

Suspicious incident: Dispatch reported a suspicious incident involving an app that notified of an airbag deployment one mile east in Sarasota Bay. Two officers responded to the scene, one by water, but noticed nothing suspicious. Dispatch notes state the app alert was accidental.

SUNDAY, FEB. 5

NO ISSUE

2:27 a.m., 500 block of Cedar Street

Suspicious vehicle: While on patrol, an officer noticed a vehicle parked and appeared unoccupied with the windows down. An area search was conducted and further investigation showed it likely the vehicle had been parked for a long period of time.

NOT ALLOWED, EVEN IF

DAD SAID YES

2:00 p.m., Jewfish Key

Boating citation: While on marine patrol, an officer observed two personal watercraft with excessive wake. The zone was posted as “slow speed, minimum wake.” The watercraft drivers were stopped and notified of their violation. However, one of the operators, a 15-year-old, was unable to produce the required

ID card. The other was the child’s father, who said he had allowed the child to drive the watercraft. Regardless, the violation stood as such and the father was issued a citation.

MONDAY, FEB. 6

PARK IN THE DRIVEWAY

12:36 a.m., 6800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen assist: An officer was dispatched for reports of an illegally parked vehicle. The employee who made the call said they believed the car belonged to the resident on that property and had told them about the issue earlier in the day. The officer made contact with the resident who said it was his vehicle and he would move it into the driveway.

TUESDAY, FEB. 7

NOT STOLEN, STILL NOT ALLOWED

2:33 a.m., 200 block of Broadway

Suspicious vehicle: A pickup truck was observed parked in the back of a dirt lot, tucked away. Upon investigation, the officer concluded the vehicle was not stolen. A parking ticket was issued.

TOO EARLY TO RAKE

6:22 a.m., 200 block of Sands Point

Road

Noise complaints from land: An anonymous caller made a complaint about the beach being raked too loudly. The officer found a resort employee operating a tractor, raking the beach. The employee said she was almost finished and was still advised of the complaint and the town’s noise ordinance. The officer went on to speak with a front desk attendant who said he would pass along the complaint to the supervisor.

SATURDAY, FEB. 4

ALMOST SCARY 11 p.m., 4700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Suspicious incident: An officer was sent to the resort after reports of an Apple Air Tag in the caller’s rental vehicle. After arriving at the scene, the woman told the officer she started receiving notifications of the presence of the location tracking device. Resort staff helped the woman locate the tag, which was found taped in the trunk of the vehicle. The woman said she had rented the vehicle through a third-party app. It was determined the tracking device was placed in the vehicle to keep track of its location while being rented.

NO NOISE, NO ODOR

9:06 p.m., 3500 block of Fair Oaks Lane Citizen assist: An officer was dispatched to assist with a call about noise originating from a gas meter. The resident said the meter was making a strange noise but did not smell any odor. The officer checked

the meter, which was not making any noise. In the event the meter starts making noise, the caller was told to call 911.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 8

DELAYED TOWING

8:30 a.m., 5300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen assist: An officer responded to a call about a vehicle that had broken down and whose owner did not want to leave it overnight. The woman stated her vehicle had begun to smoke before dying in the parking space. A tow truck had been called but was not set to arrive for several hours. She was told her vehicle was allowed to stay in the spot. The officer provided the woman with a ride home.

ONLY DOING HIS JOB

11:35 a.m., 1400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen dispute: An officer was called after a man, who works as a process server, was denied access to a gated community by the gate guard. The officer escorted the man to the property office where he was given access to the property.

THURSDAY, FEB. 9

NEEDING EXTENSION

4:58 p.m., Police department headquarters

VIN serial number inspection: A resident entered the department requesting assistance with a VIN verification order to be granted a registration extension from his other residence in Ohio. The number was checked for warrants before the Ohio DMV form was signed.

Town of Longboat Key ATTENTION VOLUNTEERS

The Town of Longboat Key is accepting applications for appointment to the following boards and committees:

The Town of Longboat Key is accepting applications for appointment to the following boards and committees:

Planning and Zoning Board

PRESIDENTS’ DAY SALE

50 % OFF BUY ONE GET ONE

All applications must be submitted to the Office of the Town Clerk by 12:00 p.m. on February 23, 2023. All applicants must be registered voters of the Town of Longboat Key. Late applications may not be accepted. Any member who fails to attend two of three consecutive scheduled and called regular meetings without cause, and without prior approval of the chairman shall automatically forfeit the appointment, and the Town Commission shall promptly fill the vacancy.

Planning and Zoning Board

All applications must be submitted to the Office of the Town Clerk by 12:00 p.m. on February 23, 2023. All applicants must be registered voters of the Town of Longboat Key. Late applications may not be accepted. Any member who fails to attend two of three consecutive scheduled and called regular meetings without cause, and without prior approval of the chairman shall automatically forfeit his appointment, and the Town Commission shall promptly fill the vacancy.

All members of the Planning and Zoning Board are required to file a financial disclosure form within 30 days after appointment and annually thereafter for the duration of the appointment as required by Florida Statues Chapter 112.

The Town Commission may schedule a Meet and Greet with applicants at a later date. Please call the Office of the Town Clerk at 941-316-1999 for an application or if you have any questions. Applications may be submitted to:

All members of the Planning and Zoning Board are required to file a financial disclosure form within 30 days after appointment and annually thereafter for the duration of the appointment as required by Florida Statues Chapter 112.

The Town Commission may schedule a Meet and Greet with applicants at a later date Please call the Office of the Town Clerk at 941-316-1999 for an application or if you have any questions. Applications may be submitted to:

Town of Longboat Key Office of the Town Clerk 501 Bay Isles Road Longboat Key FL 34228

Town of Longboat Key

Stephanie Janney, Administrative Assistant Published: 02-08-2023, 02-15-2023

Office of the Town Clerk

501 Bay Isles Road

Longboat Key FL 34228

Stephanie Janney, Administrative Assistant

Published: 02-08-2023, 02-15-2023

Vertical oyster gardens grow habitats and communities

Vertical oyster gardens are being deployed across Longboat Key to improve the water quality in Sarasota Bay.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

January 28 was the kind of Saturday morning made for sleeping in — cold and windy. Still, half the neighborhood and four town commissioners and commissionerselect came out to Buttonwood Drive to string four giant buckets of oyster shells in the name of cleaning up Sarasota Bay.

Town Commissioner BJ Bishop lives in Buttonwood Harbour and suggested the program as a neighborhood project.

“In the meantime, we’ve had a boat-basin beautification project here. We laid in new electrical, new water so that people didn’t have to be running hoses along here, laid out all these new pavers,” event organizer Carol Erker said. “So we thought here’s a good opportunity when our snowbirds are back, let’s have a ver-

tical oyster garden event outside and showcase our newly refurbished boat basin.”

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program’s public outreach manager and assistant, Megan Barry and Christine Quigley, gave a presentation, the gardens were strung and a buffet of sandwiches awaited the volunteers.

The vertical oyster gardens are part of an effort to use oysters to create habitats for filter-feeding organisms that cleanse water in the bay (see box, below).

The morning was an everyday example of the common camaraderie amongst so many Longboat Key

communities and town commis

sioners. First, do good. Then, throw a little party to catch up with the neighbors.

Also, spread the word. These won’t be the last vertical oyster gardens hung in Buttonwood Harbour.

“Some of the homes are right on the canal, and about a dozen of those folks have expressed an interest in hanging vertical oyster gardens from their docks as well,” Erker said. “We have five docks here in the harbor, so our association is committed to putting vertical oyster gardens hanging from each of these.”

FAST FORWARD SIX MONTHS

The Observer first reported on vertical oyster gardens in July 2022. At the time, 50 gardens had been strung underneath the new observation deck at Joan Durante Park.

Six months later, the gardens are delivering as advertised. Once-pristine oyster shells that were bleached and disinfected under the sun for six months are now covered in barnacles and shades of black, brown, gray and green.

They don’t look nearly as pretty, but it’s exactly what the Estuary Program is looking to see. Volunteer Tim Thurman checked on the gardens and sent a report and pictures to Megan Barry.

“They have a lot of growth on them. So far, they’ve

been durable,” Barry said. “It really shows the perfect environment for the oysters. You can see a lot of colonization. You can see different marine filter feeders on them.”

Marine filter feeders are important because they constantly take in and excrete water. That process is filtering the bay, and vertical oyster gardens attract them because the feeders like to attach to things.

Seeing growth is important for data purposes. Residents who deploy gardens are asked to report back with their sightings, and impact metrics are still being worked out because it’s a newer program.

“It’s a little more difficult to directly measure the water quality impact. We know that there’s a habitat value,” Barry said. “We’ve had people report that they’ve seen all the filter feeders, shrimp and fish, so we know that there is a qualitative benefit here.”

The vertical oyster beds are easily seen when walking out to the observation deck at Joan Durante Park.

Residents look at the display and ask questions about the project.

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

The gardens are hung at a height where they’ll dip in and out of water during low and high tides.

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE

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

ADVERTISEMENT

Is Concierge Medicine Right For You?

By Reed Medical Group-Longboat Key location

Can you remember the last time you called your physician on his/her personal cell phone number and scheduled a same-day appointment to see your doctor with no hassle, no wait time, and no discussion on insurance coverage? No?

Neither can I. However, that experience does exist in the world of concierge medicine.

What Is Concierge Medicine?

Concierge medicine (also known as boutique medicine, retainer-based medicine, and direct primary care) is membershipbased healthcare that pairs exclusive, personalized care with accessibility and convenience.

For a flat monthly fee, you can receive 24/7 phone availability to your physician, unlimited in-person office and telehealth visits that last as long as you need, as well as direct care from a doctor without worrying about copays and other charges.

If you have a major health problem, your doctor expedites specialist referrals and/ or hospital care as needed. With concierge medicine, insurance or corporate health system interference is significantly reduced, allowing more of a relationship between just the doctor and patient. Add-on services

like physician house calls are available.

If you enter the hospital, your concierge doctor will oversee your care plan.

“The concierge concept is appealing for both primary care physicians and patients,” says Dr. James Reed of Reed Medical Group on Longboat Key. “Doctors get frustrated with government restraints and insurance rules. There are administrative regulations and burdens. On-demand primary care sounds attractive because you can get back to doing what you love to do,” he says.

Physicians who participate in concierge or direct primary care typically have a patient panel between 300 to 600 people vs. traditional practices that may have up to 4,000. Dr. Reed just recently surpassed 240 patients on his path to 300. On a typical day, Dr. Reed treats six to ten patients and spends at least 30 minutes with each of them. “I enjoy treating patients here on Longboat Key and the surrounding area. With a smaller patient base, I am able to know my patients personally. I can spend the right amount of time it takes to properly diagnose, discuss results, and develop an individualized care plan with each patient.” explains Dr. Reed.

Dr. James Reed III, opened Reed Medical Group on Longboat Key in February of 2022 and has just completed a full year in practice! Although his patient panel is almost at capacity, new patients are still currently welcome, and a variety of concierge care levels are available. During season, Dr. Reed attends to patients’ needs 6 days a week in the office and has a full clinical staff available for housecalls.

Dr. Reed is a board-certified Family Physician but treats more of a Medicare-aged clientele. Reed Medical Group treats a “full-scope” of medical issues and has extended care to include in-house laboratory services, Physical Therapy, and Clinical Psychology. Chiropractic services are also available within the building complex. Reed Medical Group’s location is: 6350 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 101, Longboat Key, FL 34228. Office: 941-677-7220.

www.reedmedicalcare.com ; info@reedmedicalcare.com

During season, Reed Medical Group is open Monday through Saturday! Full clinical staff is available for home visits.

If you would like to become a concierge patient of Reed Medical Group, please contact us at 941-677-7220

WHERE’S SANTA?: Staff Sgt. Michael “KG” Kargauer with Kevin Anderson and the Longboat Observer in North Pole, Alaska, where “the spirit of Christmas lives year-round.”

Quilting bee aids in disaster relief

Members of St. Armands Key Lutheran Church met on Feb. 3 to assemble 1,000 personal care packages for Lutheran World Relief.

It only took a couple hours for members of St. Armands Key Lutheran Church to assemble 1,000 personal care packages for Lutheran World Relief, but it’s a year-long effort.

Of course, they had to raise money and buy supplies. Each care package contains a towel, toothbrush, comb, two bars of soap and a pair of slippers. But they also sent over 200 handmade quilts around the world.

The group meets at church every Monday for a quilting bee. At the start, they only made about 50 quilts a year. Now, the record to beat is 250 in one year.

“This is a project we’ve been doing here at the church for well over 15 years, probably at least 20 years,” Chair of the Community Service Ministry Ann Walborn said. “It started out as a bunch of ladies doing it in their homes.”

The packages don’t ship to their recipients immediately. First, they go to a warehouse in Maryland. Lutheran World Relief provides humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, so the packages eventually end up where the greatest need is. That’s unknown when the tractor trailer pulls away with the boxes.

But because each box is barcoded, it doesn’t remain a mystery. Walborn said their care packages have gone to Uganda and all over the world. Lutheran World Relief provides a tracking system through their website.

The Quilt & Kit Ministry is the organization’s longest running program. It started in Europe in 1945 after World War II, and now it distributes an average of 300,000 quilts each year.

“Even here in the United States when there was a big flood in Minot, North Dakota, quilts went there to that church,” Walborn said. “It made the ladies cry because they opened boxes and some of the quilts that they had sewn were some of the ones they got in return. They lost everything in their church and a lot of stuff in the town.”

“This is a project we’ve been doing here at the church for well over 15 years, probably at least 20 years.”

Ann Walborn, Chair of the Community Service Ministry

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

Photo by Lesley Dwyer

Ann Walborn and Ernie Smith volunteer to assemble care packages for Lutheran World Relief.

PET PICS

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!

Savor the Sounds Savor the Sounds Savor the Sounds Musical

Savor the Sounds Savor the Sounds

Concert Series

Presented by

Longboat Key • 2020

Saturday, March 4th

DOUG DEMING & THE JEWEL TONES

5:30 pm - 7 pm (Gates open at 4:30 pm)

4:30 pm - 5:30 pm Music by Mike Sales Town Center Green 600 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key

Come out and “Savor the Sounds,” and enjoy an elegant, yet casual, outdoor picnic setting.

BYOPB! Bring a picnic basket and blanket. (Lawn chairs, tables and coolers are welcome.)

Pre-order boxed dinners from Publix by calling (941)383-1326 ext. 228 or 229 Decorate your table or blanket!

VIP Tickets

$250 (Table of 8)

Advance purchase only.

Limited availability.

General Admission

$25 in advance $35 at the door

Weather permitting - No Refunds

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

GAME FACE: Phoebe relaxes in the bay off of Longboat Key on a floating beer pong table.

Goodwill and good friends

old stuff from local landfills. Currently, it has 750 employees.

Drive anywhere in America, and you’re bound to pass a Goodwill donation center, and Lowy says that’s by design.

“The reason we’re so successful with our large number of donations — we had over 900,000 last year — is because it’s convenient,” she said.

Goodwill is synonymous with a good deal, and Goodwill Manasota has proven to be the real deal. The “business with a charitable purpose” has a $90.1 million impact across four counties: Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto.

Susan Lowy is the manager of instructional design and training and is also a member of the Bird Key Yacht Club. She and Director of Community Engagement Pavitra Ciavardone spoke at the club’s Seafarers lunch and lecture series on Feb. 1.

In 2021, Goodwill Manasota served 5,346 individuals, provided 170 job placements, assisted 381 veterans, provided 102,608 hours of education and training, collected 212,436 pounds of food for local food banks and diverted 57.4 million pounds of

Growing in Jesus’ Name

“People can drive in, drop it off. There’s someone there to greet you, take in your donation, hand you a tax receipt, and you can leave.”

Goodwill Manasota is one of 155 independent affiliates. In the local area alone, there are 22 donation centers, 10 retail stores, two bookstores and two bargain bins.

“We are always one of the top two performing Goodwills in our network, which means that we’re in a position to help other Goodwills that are struggling,” Ciavardone said. “We have been on the forefront of innovation and workforce development.”

Manasota became an affiliate in 1981, and many of the affiliate programs were created in this area, including the Role Model Worker Program. The Job Connection program was the first self-funded program of all Goodwills, and it also has a consulting arm that serves as a training center for other affiliates.

Unlike the name suggests, the Bird Key Yacht Club is not only for residents of Bird Key. Anyone can apply, no yacht required. Currently, there are 286 members, less than half of which live on Bird Key.

Members live in downtown condos, on neighboring keys and even in Lakewood Ranch. As a memberdriven club, an array of activities are offered. Yachting is at the bottom of the list under kayaking, cycling, trivia and stand-up comedy. That’s not a joke.

Worship With Us at Our Church

Sunday Service 10:00 AM

The Rev. Dr. Norman Pritchard

Men’s Bible Study: Monday @ 9:00

Women’s Bible Study: Wednesday @ 10:00

Watch Our 10:00 AM Ser vice Li ve: www.bit.ly/cclbksermons or www.christchurchof lbk.org ( follow YouTube link )

W INTER C ON CERT S ERIES

CONCERTS ARE FREE VISITORS & RESIDENTS WELCOME

SUNDAY • FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • 2:00 PM

“Member-driven” means the members are leading the activities. Anyone with an expertise or interest can start a group.

“I’ve been in clubs for most of my career, and this is without a doubt the friendliest membership I’ve ever dealt with,” General Manager Tammy Hackney said. “When they said ‘anchored in friendship,’ I was like OK, yeah, whatever. And then I’m like, ‘oh my gosh, they really live by it and they recruit by it.’ People just want to come here and have fun.”

Born of a desire to marry the best of both Celtic and chamber music in exciting and creative ways, the Cleveland Celtic Ensemble blends Scottish and Irish bagpipes, whistle, flute, fiddle, and harp to create a Celtic style all their own. Revel in blazing bagpipe duets, sublime harp airs, soaring songs, and sweet fiddle tunesall in an intimate and ethereal chamber music ensemble setting.

Featuring: Brian Bigley on uilleann pipes and flute, Kristen Bigley on violin, Ian Crane on Scottish smallpipes and vocals, Tiffany Schaefer on Celtic harp and vocals.

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

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

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

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

Bird Key Yacht Club members learn more about Goodwill Manasota’s work.

“I’ve been in clubs for most of my career, and this is without a doubt the friendliest membership I’ve ever dealt with.”

Tammy Hackney, General Manager

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Tony Britt, Lisa Adams and Payson Adams

Guest speakers Susan Lowy and Pavitra Ciavardone

Ann Syring, Rose Mary Mahoney and Helen Turner

YOUR NEIGHBORS

PARTY CENTRAL

The Paradise Center held its annual fundraiser on Feb. 12 to raise money for all the programs it provides Longboat residents.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

The Paradise Center is a long-standing nonprofit that offers a range of services to the residents of Longboat Key. On the other hand, it’s kind of a party central.

Fittingly, the annual fundraiser was a dress-up dance party called Dancing Through the Decades.

“We have a reputation to uphold for having fun parties,” CEO Suzy Brenner said. “We have a couple peo-

dance, say ‘Hi’ to friends, and go.”

Over 60 people bought tickets for the dance, and for those who didn’t want to miss the start of the Super Bowl, it was playing in the other room.

Harry’s Continental Kitchens set up a buffet and passed around trays of appetizers. It was the perfect pregame party made more fun by trading football jerseys for wild outfits.

Guests fully embodied their decades and all the accoutrements. Brenner was puffing on a cigarette with attitude, while Carol Paschel was waving her martini glass in the air as if she was ringing a bell. Hippies filled the room with peace signs and headbands. But Irina LaRose added some 1950s greaser to the mix with a Pink Ladies jacket,

and Donna Sharp Blaney pulled up her leg warmers for a hot pink throwback to 1980s dance aerobics.

MISSION AND FUNDING

At the Paradise Center, fun and games are part of the mission.

“Our mission is to help prevent isolation and loneliness. Our average age on Longboat Key is 70, and loneliness is an epidemic among seniors,” Brenner said. “It’s bad for your physical health, your mental health and everything to be feeling alone and lonely.”

Another aspect to the mission has been to get healthcare providers practicing on the island, and the center has been successful with the medical suites it oversees in the Tidewell building. Doctors of varying specialties use the fully equipped offices on a rotating basis.

While the organization is well established, fundraising is challenging because of its location and the demographic it serves.

“There are grants around, but we just can’t compete with children who don’t get enough food to eat or sex trafficking, and I get it,” Brenner said. “But it’s a challenge.”

It costs about $300,000 a year to run the center, which started out of a room in the Longboat Chapel in 2008. It was called Aging in Paradise, and the chapel didn’t charge rent. Over the past 15 years, the senior

center has expanded its services to include a range of classes, health screenings, entertainment options and even travel opportunities.

“We used to have a few angel donors that we could always count on if unexpected expenses popped up; unfortunately, they have either passed away or moved away,” Brenner said. “So that’s been an added challenge to our bottom line.”

One of those angel investors was Arnold Simonsen. He died in 2019 after spending the previous 17 years donating millions of dollars to various local causes from the homeless to the arts. When Brenner set up a fund for The Paradise Center at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Simonsen made the first donation of $500,000. The boardroom in the Tidewell building is dedicated to him.

The plaque outside reads, “Without Arnold Simonsen, The Paradise Center would not exist ... The Longboat Key community is indebted to Arnold for having the vision and passion for a full-service, year-round senior center. Arnold, you are missed.”

Richard and Deborah Pelton

Daniel Fugazzotto keeps the music loud and the crowd dancing.

Suzy Brenner and Ronda Montminy join the dance floor.

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Melody MoraShihadeh and Susan Landau share a laugh.

Vicki Lyons takes a spin and wins a prize.

Donna Sharp Blaney’s favorite decade is the ’80s.

MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

n The guild welcomed 22 new members.

n 1,595 gifts were given to the children of migrant workers for Christmas.

n Donations from the parishwide baby shower are being prepared for delivery to maternity homes across Sarasota and Bradenton.

n Volunteers are needed to move furniture for the annual Rummage Sale coming up on March 3 and 4.

n Only 30 tickets remain for the fashion show scheduled

for Mar. 13 at the Sarasota Yacht Club.

n The church will be hosting the Day of Reflection on Mar. 30 because of damage from Hurricane Ian to Our Lady of Perpetual Health. OLPH will still be leading the day.

n Jane Vorel was chosen to crown the statue of Mary on Mother’s Day.

n The Lazy Lobster is catering the last guild meeting of the year being held on April 17.

Dynasty Stars dance at St. Mary’s

teens and adults with special needs entertained at the church’s Galentine’s party.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

The ladies guild at St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church celebrated Galentine’s Day on Monday. While it was still a meeting and charitable work had to be discussed, it was done over desserts homemade by the committee and followed up with a dance performance.

Professionals and amateurs danced the waltz, tango, salsa and rumba. The Dynasty Dance Club has four locations in Venice, Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch and St. Pete Beach. The Dynasty Stars program is for children, teens and adults with special needs. While the professional dancers performed graceful lifts and dizzying spins, Georges Assif stole the show when asked to demonstrate how to ask a lady to dance. Before extending his arm to his partner as etiquette dictates, Assif showed off his cha-cha steps, much to the delight of

himself and the crowd.

As Assif exemplified with his impromptu cha-cha, the Dynasty Stars program was designed to build self-confidence. Dance also increases activity in the mind and body, while offering a new form of self-expression. There are about 200 Dynasty Stars across the four locations.

A 2022 study published in the “International Journal of Early Childhood” found that a rhythmic music program improved the performance of motor skills in children with Down syndrome.

The dance club also offers a Parkinson’s program approved by neurologists and physical therapists.

A 2021 study published in “Brain Sciences” determined that dancing once a week for three years will slow both motor and nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The study also cites previous research that already found dancing improves balance, gait, speed and quality of life in patients.

The dance troupe for children,

Dynasty Stars Samantha Allspach and Georges Assif

Dynasty Dance Club owner Sarah Lototskyy dances with Dynasty Star Jordan Soriano.

Dolores Engelke and Jane Vorel

Maureen Watterson, Cindy Noble, Mary Kupiec and Sue Adams

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

#1 LONGBOAT KEY TEAM

Michael Saunders & Company

Follow on Instagram @LongboatLife

THE SHORE ON LONGBOAT KEY

5757 GULF OF MEXICO DR #307 | OFFERED AT $1,250,000

This top floor 2 bed/2 bath residence offers unobstructed views of the Gulf from almost every room. Wind down on the large terrace while the sun sets and enjoy the warm gulf breeze and the sounds of the waves kissing the beach. Amenities include a large social room with kitchen, fitness center, gulf front pool and spa and beautifully maintained gardens. Your Longboat Life is waiting!

MLS# A4560455

NEWPRICE

BEACHPLACE BLISS

1085 GULF OF MEXICO DR. #305 | OFFERED AT $1,170,000

This 3 bed/2 bath corner unit offers serene golf course views, multiple terraces and abundant natural light throughout. Beachplace allows 1 month minimum rentals, 12 times a year allowing owners to maximize income year round when not in residence. With resort-style amenities and convenient south Longboat Key location, all of the boxes are checked!

A4556271

DRIVE, #4 Longboat Key | Offered at $779,000 MLS# A4178487

HARBOUR LINKS DRIVE, #4 Longboat Key MLS# A4178487 2067 HARBOUR LINKS DRIVE, #4 Longboat Key MLS# A4178487 2067 HARBOUR LINKS DRIVE, #4 Longboat Key | Offered at $779,000 MLS# A4178487

2067 HARBOUR LINKS DRIVE, #4 Offered at $779,000

2067 HARBOUR LINKS DRIVE, #4 Offered at $779,000

2067 HARBOUR LINKS DRIVE, #4 Longboat Key | Offered at $779,000 MLS# A4178487

2067 HARBOUR LINKS DRIVE, Longboat Key | Offered at $779,000 MLS# A4178487

2067 HARBOUR LINKS DRIVE, Longboat Key | Offered at $779,000 MLS# A4178487

2067 HARBOUR LINKS DRIVE, Longboat Key | Offered at $779,000 MLS# A4178487

MLS#

Local nature key in hospitality for real-life snowbirds

In both public and private lands, native plants are critical for supporting these important winter visitors.

In winter months, cold weather to the north brings mass migrations of birds to our region in quest of warmer climes.

Some, just like human snowbirds, choose to stick around in Sarasota County for the season. But as an important stopping point on the Atlantic Flyway — a major northsouth avian superhighway in North America — South Florida also provides critical food and shelter to migratory birds heading to breeding or overwintering sites further afield.

Whether they’re here for several months or mere days, migratory birds are important members of our natural systems who provide ecosystem benefits such as pest control and pollination of plants. And, as parts of the food chain, they are a food source for other wildlife.

Notably, the Atlantic Flyway is the most densely populated and developed out of the four major flyways

crossing the United States. Indeed, loss, degradation and fragmentation of important migratory bird habitats is potentially the largest individual

threat to migratory birds. And much of this threat is caused by human development. Protected public lands, such as Myakka River State Park, support migratory birds by providing the natural habitats, diversity of food and native plants these bird species depend on.

Because native plants evolved to exist in our environment, they are well adapted to Florida’s climate, soil conditions and wildlife. And, as native vegetation is the foundation of healthy wild Florida ecosystems, a key focus of Myakka’s Florida Park Service staff is the removal of highly invasive plant species, which were introduced to Florida either purposefully or accidentally. Such plants actively damage ecosystems by displacing native plants, therefore reducing wildlife habitat quality. Invasive plants also can change important ecological functions, such

as water flow.

To support migratory birds, oftentimes all that is needed are small areas of protected land, with native plants that provide shelter and food along their migration route before they continue on to their final destinations. Even on private lands and urban areas, restoring suitable wildlife habitats by replacing nonnatives with native vegetation is a powerful conservation tool for maintaining healthy bird and other wildlife populations.

— 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

Photos by Miri Hardy

Robins are one of several migratory birds that rely on resources locally during their winter journeys.

Unlike brown pelicans, who live here year-round, American white pelicans migrate to Florida from the northern United States and Canada during winter.

THURSDAY, FEB. 16

BEREAVEMENT GROUP

From 10:30 a.m. to noon at the JFCS of the Suncoast office in the Tidewell Foundation Building, 540 Bay Isles Road. Led by Rabbi Jonathan R. Katz, participants will learn how others deal with grief, explore how loss affects us, gain coping skills and cultivate resilience. The group will meet for five successive Thursdays. The cost is $36 for all five sessions. Call 366-2224 ext. 166 to register or email JKatz@ JFCS-Cares.org.

FRIDAY, FEB. 17

LOVE LABOUR’S LOST

From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. An introduction to the Shakespeare play and a guide for those who play to attend the Asolo Conservatory’s production. Two sessions through Feb. 24, $40 for members; $45 for others. Call 383-8222.

ELTON JOHN:

PROLIFIC PERFORMER

From 1-2:15 p.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. This course discusses examples from both John’s personal and professional life to illustrate the struggles and triumphs of the musical icon. Two sessions through Feb. 24, $40 for members; $45 for others. Call 383-8222.

SIP & SHOP AND BOOK SIGNING

From 1-5 p.m. at J. McLaughlin, 515 Bay Isles Parkway. 15% of sales benefit the Longboat Library.

Author Jane Hughes will also be signing copies of her new book, “The Spy’s Wife” from 2-4 p.m.

THE THOMAS CARABASI

JAZZ QUINTET

From 5-6:30 p.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. The quintet will be covering songs from jazz legends like Cole Porter and Duke Ellington. $25 for members; $30 for others. Call 383-8222.

TUESDAY, FEB. 21

AMY HERZOG: A SIGNIFICANT

TALENT IN AMERICAN THEATRE

From 3-4:30 p.m. at the Education

Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. This lecture will cover Herzog’s family life and work. Audience participation will follow the lecture. $15 for members; $20 for others. Call 383-8222.

RECURRING EVENTS

WEEKDAYS 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 GENTLE CHAIR YOGA

From 9-10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Improve flexibility, strength and overall physical functioning while stabilized in a chair. Eight sessions through Feb. 27, $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.

THINKING OUT LOUD:

TIMELY TOPICS WITH MIKE KARP

From 1-2:30 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Topics will include U.S. and world current affairs, popular culture and topics relevant to seniors. Cost is $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS

MOVING FREE YOGA STRETCH & STRENGTH

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. Instructor is Mirabai Holland. Cost is $10 for members; $15 for others. Call (201) 956-1466.

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS

PUMPING THE PRIME

From 10-11 a.m. at Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Low-impact cardio

and strength exercises to boost metabolism, strengthen muscles and bones. Instructor is Mirabai Holland. Cost is $10 for members; $15 for others. Call (201) 956-1466.

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.

TUESDAYS

QI GONG FOR HEALTH AND VITALITY

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

QI GONG

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

YOGA

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

MAH JONGG

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

ROTARY CLUB

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

TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS

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 3616411 ext. 2212.

WEDNESDAYS YOGA POTPOURRI

From 9-10 a.m. at the Educa-

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

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 KIWANIS CLUB OF LONGBOAT KEY

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

SLOW FLOW YOGA

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

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 383-6493.

FRIDAYS INTERMEDIATE TAI CHI

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

JUDY KEPECZ-HAYS TEAM

JUDY KEPECZ-HAYS TEAM

February 16, 2023

LONGBOAT KEY TOWERS

601 Longboat Club Rd #603S

Enjoy Sunrise and Sunsets. The beach is in your front yard and the golf course is in your backyard. The view from this residence is Hypnotizing! Bright and happy, instant enjoyment in this 2 Bdrm 2 baths 1458 sq. ft. Community offers a semi-private elevator, on-site manager, pool, guest suite, social room, and fitness room www.LBKtowers603S.com

LIDO KEY ST. ARMANDS CIRCLE

408 Jackson Dr 3 bed + den, 3 bath

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 Gem of all Jewels on St. Armands Circle! Location makes this spacious home with a pool an exceptional opportunity for those who want to be minutes from the circle, Lido Beach, and Main Street-in-the-heart of the city. This residence is brimming with updates and remarkable touches to add texture and style. The family room/office can easily be converted to a 4th bedroom with its glass wall to walk out to the garden, pool and patio. Offered for $3,085,000

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

The Spanish Main Yacht Club is heating up with the return of its residents for season. First was the Chili and Soup Cook-Off on Jan. 19, and up next was the 26th annual welcome back party on Jan. 28. When Patty Buck sent out invitations for the welcome back party, she wrote, “This gathering reminds us of how fortunate we are to live in such a wonderful place as SMYC — full of fun, love, joy and caring.”

— LESLEY DWYER

Tom Gary and Rudell Bullis enjoy the welcome back party.

The clubhouse is full for the Soup and Chili Cook-Off at Spanish Main Yacht Club.

Patty Buck, Joan Sherry and Wendy Duerkop

Eleanor McConnell and Dr. Jay Smith

LONGBOAT KEY DREAM ISLAND ROAD $4,850,000

Boaters retreat w/ cottage-style home + guest house5BR/4.5BA Lushly landscaped 1/2 acre w/400’ dock, 2 boat lifts on secluded street. Short stroll to beautiful beach.

LONGBOAT KEY BAYFRONT $5,965,000

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.

LONGBOAT KEY $2,475,000

Coastal contemporary 4 BR/5BA home in The Preserve of Longbeach. Light & open indoor/outdoor living areas. Former model w/ high-end appliances & finishes.

LONGBOAT KEYISLANDER CLUB $675,000

Gulfside 2BD/2BA condo is a perfect beachfront getaway or extra space for guests. Beachside heated pool has incredible Gulf views & wildlife. Club amenities include two tennis courts.

LONGBOAT KEY• CANAL LOT#1 $1,995,000

• CANAL LOT#2 $1,995,000

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.

LONGBOAT KEY HARBOR VILLA CLUB $1,375,000

Rarely available corner walk-out 2BR/2BA condo. Newly remodeled. Large floorplan w/ high ceilings. Panoramic Bay views & sunsets. Club amenities +new 60 ft. dock.

LONGBOAT KEY EMERALD HARBOR $2,495,000

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

access & attached three car garage.

St. Armands home tops sales at $2.8 million

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

Ahome in John Ringling Estates tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Maurice and Ellen Guinan, of Littleton, Colorado, sold their home at 408 Jackson Drive to BL LaRue Real Estate LLC for $2.8 million. Built in 1955, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,344 square feet of living area. It sold for $750,000 in 2004.

THE WATER CLUB AT LONGBOAT KEY

Jacqueline Taylor, of Buffalo, New York, sold the Unit 303 condominium at 1281 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Thomas Eaton and Elizabeth Marie Fernandez, of Alpharetta, Georgia, for $2.71 million. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, four baths and 3,054 square feet of living area. It sold for $827,800 in 1999.

JOHN RINGLING ESTATES

Michael and Sandra Podolak, trustees, of Sarasota, sold twoproperties at 136 Coolidge Drive to 136 Coolidge Drive LLC for $2.5 million. The first property was built in 1947, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,124 square feet of living area. The second property was built in 1973, and it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,120 square feet of living area They sold for $317,500 in 2000.

BIRD KEY

Trudy Blackwell Barry, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 429 Pheasant Way to Thomas Andrew Vella and Cynthia Jean Vella, of Lake Angelus, Michigan, for $2 million. Built in 1975, it has three

bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,706 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,166,500 in 2020.

COREY’S LANDING

Frank and Kathleen Burke, of University Park, sold the home at 3565 Mistletoe Lane to Gary and Cynthia Adams, of Longboat Key, for $1.8 million. Built in 1991, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,158 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,015,000 in 2016.

TANGERINE BAY CLUB

Peter and Virginia Mermin sold their Unit 426 condominium at 370 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Marc Schupan, trustee, of Longboat Key, for $1.5 million. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,310 square feet of living area. It sold for $700,000 in 2019.

LONGBOAT BEACH HOUSE

Patrick and Mary Kondrat, trustees, of Naples, sold the home at 4311 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Patricia Nelson, trustee, of Cleveland, Oklahoma, for $1,159,000. Built in 1977, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 1,140 square feet of living area. It sold for $645,000 in 2021.

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of Feb. 3-9 in order of dollar amounts.

SPANISH MAIN YACHT CLUB

Barbara Zena Dulko Speed, trustee, of Bradenton, sold the Unit 72 condominium at 948 Spanish Drive S. to Margaret Richlin, of Columbia, Maryland, for $1,005,000. Built in 1968, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,399 square feet of living area. It sold for $145,000 in 1992.

LONGBEACH

Robert and Lorraine Kenny, of Bradenton, sold their Unit 12 condominium at 7135 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Ronald Pawczuk and Nicole Pawczuk, trustees, of Bloomfield, Michigan, for $865,000. Built in 1974, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,170 square feet of living area. It sold for $425,000 in 2018.

HARBOUR VILLA CLUB

AT BUCCANEER

Susan Drew, Mary Van Til and H. Hames Shuck, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, sold their home at

615 Dream Island Place to Steven Peters, of Charlottesville, Virginia, for $859,000. Built in 1985, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,293 square feet of living area. It sold for $200,000 in 1994.

INN ON THE BEACH

Equity Properties Ltd. sold the Unit 5203 condominium at 250 Sands Point Road to John Cowley Jr., of Bradenton, for $825,000. Built in 1982, it has one bedroom, one bath and 640 square feet of living area. It sold for $320,000 in 2018.

WINDWARD BAY

Lee Abrahamson, trustee, sold the Unit 6-V-11 condominium at 4770 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Jeffrey Lane Harrington, of Oxford, Mississippi, for $505,000. Built in 1974, it has one bedroom, one bath and 812 square feet of living area. It sold for $460,000 in 2022.

Photo courtesy of Judy Kepecz-Hays

The home at 408 Jackson Drive sold for $2.8 million.

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST

TIDES

MOON PHASES

captured this photo of a crab coming out of its shell on Longboat Key.

Voting for this year’s contest is open through Feb. 27. The photo that receives the most votes will receive a $500 gift card. To vote, visit YourObserver.com/contests. Stay tuned for the 2023-24 contest and prize information.

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SPLIT PEAS by Sam Koperwas and Jeff Chen, edited by David Steinberg

By Luis Campos

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

E.J. Benioni

$3,000,000

Panoramic, direct views of Sarasota Bay, Harbourside golf course and downtown’s skyline are the star of the show as soon as you enter this lovely 3BR Antigua residence at Grand Bay. Perfectly placed in a corner spot on the best side of Building III, this sun-drenched getaway spans nearly 3,000 SF, and comes complete with two parking spaces.

www.GrandBay346.com

97 SOUTH WASHINGTON DRIVE

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 on the deep water of Sarasota Bay. www.97SouthWashington.com

Experience the ideal Lido Beach lifestyle at St. Armands Towers. This custom residence offers breathtaking Gulf and sunset views, with lovely upgrades throughout. Offering 2BR, open layout, and spacious terrace, there’s plenty of space to relax and entertain. Lovely amenities, covered parking, and convenient beach access complete this inspired getaway.

455

Gorgeous Gulf-to-bay views are the star of the show as soon as you enter this 3BR beach retreat. Behind the exclusive gates of Longboat Key Club, you will appreciate making this getaway your own. www.ThePierre603.com

$11,500,000

1172 HORIZON VIEW DRIVE

Enjoy the beach in your backyard! This lovely beach getaway, offering more than 100’ of water frontage, is waiting for you to add your custom touches, but can also be enjoyed as is for now.

www.1172HorizonView.com

$2,495,000

201 NORTH

DRIVE

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

www.201NorthWashington.com

$6,995,000

3040

Sunny bay views welcome you to this 5thfloor Antigua residence, featuring a open concept, 3BR layout waiting for you to add your custom touches. Also includes deeded parking and private beach club access.

www.GrandBay251.com

$2,695,000

$2,500,000

Enjoy the best of Florida living in this beautifully updated, well maintained, 3BR pool home. Just a few short miles from the beaches of Anna Maria Island, you will love moving right in! www.FairwayManor5311.com

$599,000

WASHINGTON

GRAND BAY BOULEVARD #251

LONGBOAT CLUB ROAD #603

5311 10TH AVENUE DRIVE WEST