Longboat Observer 9.7.23

LONGBOAT

Observer

Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

Youth movement.

PAGE 17

FREE • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

VOLUME 46, NO. 5

YOUR TOWN

Now what’s the damage?

Town and businesses survey the post-Idalia effects of widespread flooding. SEE PAGE 5

File photo

Leighton Allenby and Michele De Luce

‘You and Me on Longboat Key’ Remember your favorite beach muralists, Leighton Allenby and Michele De Luce? Well, they plan to be more than a one-hit wonder.

Because of Hurricane Idalia, the “I love LBK” shell mural they made on the public beach access near Bay Isles Road washed away.

The mural was made from more than 500 pounds of seashells collected on their morning beach walks. It took them about a month to make the mural. They even started working on a new shell mural in the shape of a mermaid.

Now that they have to start fresh, Allenby and De Luce are looking to form a community of people who share their love for morning beach walks and shell murals.

The couple have a created a Facebook page called “You and Me on Longboat Key.” On this page, they share opportunities to help with beach murals, information about the Longboat Key beach and local restaurants and joining them on their beach walks and future beach cleanups. So if you are looking to become a beach mural artist or just make some new friends on the Key, make sure to follow “You and Me on Longboat Key” on Facebook.

BRUSH WITH IDALIA Longboat Key was wellprepared for Idalia but spared from its worst.

SEE PAGE 2

Post-Idalia Key chi at Paradise Center After a hectic week of worrying about Hurricane Idalia, the Paradise Center reopened with the perfect class to welcome everyone back to the Key: Friday morning tai chi.

Reuben Fernandez taught a 10 a.m. intermediate class of tai chi on Sept. 1. He said it was a great turnout, considering.

Nine people attended and raved about Fernandez’s classes. John Sackler drove 40 minutes from Bradenton for his favorite tai chi teacher. He said the special thing about Fernandez is how personal he is.

“You can’t hide anything from him,” said Sackler. “As soon you get to class, he will go up to you and try help you with whatever he can.”

Fernandez offers 10 a.m. beginners classes on Wednesdays and a more intermediate level every Friday at the Paradise Center.

Photos by Carter Weinhofer

The flagpole at Whitney Beach Plaza couldn’t withstand Hurricane Idalia’s winds. Inset: Roger Lusins was one of the many residents who, on Aug. 29, took advantage of the 10 free sandbags the town offered.

A+E

PREMIUM PROBLEM

New arts czar PAGE 12

Should state-run Citizens be charging more for homeowners insurance?

SEE PAGE 6

Turtle tracks LONGBOAT Aug. 20-26 Nests False crawls

2023 0 0

2022 2 1

Totals since April 23 2023 2022 Nests 996 1,299 False crawls 1,300 1,521 Source: Mote Marine Laboratory

Courtesy photo

Longboat Key emergency personnel captured this photo of the flooding near Whitney Beach Plaza.

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

ON WATCH Police and fire departments rode out the storm on the island to be in position to respond to emergencies.

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

W

hen Hurricane Idalia threatened Longboat Key with flooding, the island’s first responders jumped into action and stuck to the plan.

Preparations began on Sunday, Aug. 27, before the storm’s forecasted impact of Wednesday, Aug. 30. Longboat Key Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi said he began early talks about the storm on Sunday ahead of meeting with Manatee and Sarasota County officials on Monday.

Also on Monday, the town’s departments began implementing their own internal hurricane plans, preparing staff for the tasks ahead.

Dezzi spent all day Monday at the Sarasota County Emergency Operations Center, and then returned Tuesday morning. He then didn’t leave the center until late Wednesday night.

From the start, Dezzi said the emergency management crew knew storm surge was going to impact Longboat Key. “We were focused on the risk of water,” Dezzi said.

EARLY PREPARATIONS

Monday was the busiest preparation day for both the Longboat Key Fire Rescue and Longboat Key Police.

Dezzi said fire rescue started by assigning shift duties. One shift was going to stay on the island, another went to the Sarasota High School emergency shelter and the third shift was to be off duty.

The fire rescue department made sure its supplies were in order,

including food for the on-duty firefighter paramedics and all necessary medical supplies to treat patients.

The police department had similar preparations beginning early Monday. Chief of Police George Turner said he ensured his officers had their own plans in place with their families before assigning the officers in two squads, Alpha and Bravo.

Turner said the department made sure there was enough food for all the officers on-duty, and that all the vehicles were fueled up.

“We were 100% self-sufficient on the island during the whole storm so we could take care of ourselves,” Turner said. “That’s all part of the prep.”

Evidence needed to be taken to a secure location, and both police and fire rescue boats were taken out of the water.

“By Monday night, we were in waiting mode,” Turner said.

THROUGH THE STORM

As the storm approached, Dezzi said the team was monitoring expected water levels, and ultimately made the decision to keep the police and fire rescue departments on the island.

The police department needed a place for the officers to sleep. Luckily, the Casa del Mar resort provided the department with rooms so the officers had a place to sleep and take a shower. Turner said he was thankful for that assistance.

If 45 mph sustained winds were expected, then the departments wouldn’t respond to calls. According to Dezzi, the island only experienced gusts in the 60s.

“But it wasn’t anything that was going to stop us,” Dezzi said.

Courtesy photo

The city of North Port’s emergency services lent a helping hand to Longboat Key with the use of its high-water vehicles.

When the storm finally brushed past Longboat Key, water was the problem for both departments.

“We had a lot of water, more than we’ve ever had,” Dezzi said.

Both departments responded to their fair share of calls. There were weather-related calls and alarms going off for the police department.

Weather and alarms don’t mix well, Turner said. Most of them were false alarms, but he stressed the importance of taking each call seriously.

Around 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dezzi heard many of the side streets and some parts of Gulf of Mexico Drive were impassable without highwater vehicles.

High-water vehicles are retired military vehicles, Dezzi said.

Like the name implies, the vehicles allow emergency service departments to drive through water when standard fire trucks and police patrol cars can’t.

The fire rescue department had one high-water vehicle but needed more.

Both the North Port Fire Rescue and

Police departments responded with their own high-water vehicles and some extra hands.

The fire rescue department didn’t have a large call volume, Dezzi said.

The crew assisted with some minor fires on St. Armands, and had one patient transport that required the high-water vehicle to get to the patient’s house.

There was also a house fire call that could have been serious. The fire rescue crew responded and heard a bell from the house, which indicated that the sprinkler system had been engaged. The resident wasn’t home, and the crew entered the house.

Inside, they found an electric wheelchair that had a bad interaction with saltwater. Dezzi said charged batteries can often start fires when they interact with saltwater. The situation could have been worse, if the chair hadn’t been directly underneath the sprinkler system.

On the north end of the island, Dezzi said the crew reported many fire hydrants were almost under-

water, which would have made calls difficult.

Next came the question of reentry. Dezzi said a conference call with Town Manager Howard Tipton and other town department heads led to the decision to open the island at 5 p.m. Wednesday evening.

At that time, the island was still only accessible through the north end. St. Armands Circle was still heavily flooded.

Realizing the island was safe enough for residents, the team decided to move the reentry time up to 4:30 p.m. The biggest risk was water in low-lying areas, and Dezzi said he had to make sure people would be safe returning.

“We had to be careful about the decisions we made,” Dezzi said.

Dezzi’s last meeting with county officials at the EOC was at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, and the island was completely open via both sides Thursday morning.

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

INDIRECT IMPACT A well-prepared Longboat avoided Hurricane Idalia’s direct hit, but sustained islandwide flooding.

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

T

he morning of Aug. 29 was even quieter than a typical offseason day on Longboat Key. All Longboat Key residents were under the recommendation to evacuate.

Sarasota County had just called for evacuations for its Zone A, which includes St. Armands Key, Lido Key, the southern portion of Longboat Key and coastal areas. The day before, Manatee County enacted evacuation orders for Zone A, which includes the northern portion of Longboat.

On Aug. 29, fewer than 24 hours before Hurricane Idalia’s anticipated landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida, Longboat Key residents prepared while the gulf crept up on the barrier island.

At 8:15 a.m., Sips Coffee shop in Whitney Beach Plaza had its neon “Open” sign illuminated. Inside, a couple customers made small talk about the storm and rumors of surfers heading to Holmes Beach to catch the remarkable waves.

Owners Chris Carter and Justina Condensa said they would stay open for about another hour, or wait until they had no customers for a while.

They were unsure, but they figured Longboaters would still want their coffee.

Across the street, residents were able to pick up 10 sandbags each at the Broadway Street Public Beach Access. Town Manager Howard Tipton and Public Works Director Charlie Mopps were there to help.

Mopps said people were there as early as 7 a.m. to wait for sandbags.

As each resident came to pick up sandbags, either Tipton or Mopps asked for proof of residence before the team of two scooped sand into the sandbags, held open by a wide funnel.

“We’re going to get our exercise in,” Tipton said.

“Yeah, who needs steps when you got shoveling,” Mopps replied.

Roger Lusins packed his sandbags alongside Tipton and Mopps. This wasn’t the north Longboat Key resident’s first time preparing for a hurricane.

Lusins’ plans were to help neighbors secure boats, outdoor furniture and potted plants.

“A lot of people on the island need help,” Lusins said. “So you have to do what you can.”

Mopps took up Tipton on his offer to depart early, allowing him to finalize some last-minute preparations for Public Works. Tipton stayed at the beach access point until 10 a.m. to help residents make use of the remaining sand.

At the beach access point, it was difficult to tell where the tide line was. At the dune level was a line of sea foam. Tide pools dotted the beach, sometimes connecting to the greater body of water.

LESSONS LEARNED

After the storm subsided and emergency services began returning to normal operations, Chief of Police George Turner said he felt lucky that the storm didn’t hit Longboat Key as hard.

“We were very well prepared; everything worked out perfectly as far as I’m concerned,” Turner said.

Turner started with Longboat Key in 2001 and stayed until 2007, then returned in 2021.

He’s seen his fair share of hurricanes. The most important thing, he said, is preparation and adaptation.

Town Manager Howard Tipton shared the sentiment that the emergency management team worked well throughout the storm. This was Tipton’s first evacuation with Longboat Key, but the 12th time in his career that he was “activated” for a storm.

“It really is all about success in preparation,” Tipton said.

Longboat Key Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi has been with the department since 2009, and stressed the importance of building a good team with the town’s departments and maintaining fluid communication.

The biggest lesson he’s learned over the years is, “Stick to your decision and know that you have to do what’s best for the citizens.”

Though Hurricane Idalia’s impact on Longboat Key was mainly flooding and not wind, Tipton said there was a lot of water for a nonwind event.

“We really have to think, if we get a real wind event with a storm surge, we will have to really emphasize the messaging to evacuate,” Tipton said.

The sun provided only a bit of light through the cloudy sky. It was getting dark around noon, but no major storm clouds were in sight.

Further down the beach, a few people had their cellphones out, taking pictures of the changed beach landscape, documenting the preIdalia atmosphere.

A short walk away from the beach entrance was a flock of more than a hundred shorebirds. Terns, some juvenile, were the most abundant.

Some lay flat to the sand while others walked around. Every so often, one would fly away with some a piece of food, and the rest of the group squawked into a frenzy. Whatever preparations they were making on their own, it was difficult to tell.

RISING WATERS

Hurricane Idalia made landfall the morning of Aug. 30 near Keaton Beach, some 200 miles north of

Bayfront Park sustained minor damages, including this Little Free Library that was ripped from the ground.

Photos by Carter Weinhofer

“A lot of people on the island need help. So you have to do what you can.”

— Roger Lusins

Longboat.

Despite avoiding a direct hit, Hurricane Idalia’s storms left Longboat Key with flooded side streets and scattered damage from wind and trees.

Longboat Key opened at 4:30 p.m.

Aug. 30 for residents, business owners and employees to assess the damage left by Idalia.

The north end of the island was the only way for residents to access the Key. The south end, specifically St. Armands Circle, was still impassable from flooding.

The north end of the island sustained the most flooding, with some side streets, like Norton Street, still holding water as of Wednesday evening.

In the last Hurricane Idalia brief to town commissioners on Wednesday evening, Tipton said that in the damage assessment team’s initial drive the team estimated 70 structures may have had water intrusion.

Tipton also recognized the “tireless” work of the emergency response team, including Emergency Management/Fire Chief Paul Dezzi; Assistant to the Town Manager Susan Phillips; Chief of Police George Turner; Public Works Direc-

tor Isaac Brownman and Director of Planning, Zoning and Building Allen Parsons.

The morning after Longboat was reopened, water was still an issue on some parts of the island, but the water had receded from many of the side streets.

The south end of the island was fully accessible at this point.

Whitney Beach Plaza remained mostly closed Thursday morning.

Chris Carter said Sips hadn’t flooded from the rearward canal like he originally thought it would, but there was a minor leak to repair in the ceiling.

The area of Gulf of Mexico Drive near Bayview Drive remained completely flooded on one side of the road, causing vehicles to come into close quarters or take turns passing through the one clear lane.

Soggy tree branches and leaves covered much of the roads, but there was no large debris.

The streets were busy. Contracted clean-up crews lined the sides of GMD to take care of debris from single-family homes and larger condo associations. Crews from Florida Power and Light and other utility companies drove up and down Longboat’s main road.

By Thursday evening and into Friday morning, the island seemed to be returning to normal. Water in the area of GMD near Bayview Drive receded between Thursday and Friday morning.

Debris was further cleared. Businesses were reopening Friday morning, and the sun was shining.

Public Works Program Manager Charlie Mopps fills a sandbag at the Broadway Beach Public Access on Aug. 29.

Some parts of the north end of Gulf of Mexico Drive still had flooding and debris on Wednesday evening.

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

Local businesses encouraged to take damage survey

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L’Shana Tova!

Survey covers physical and economic damages caused

by Hurricane Idalia.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR HIGH HOLY DAY SERVICES RIGHT ON LONGBOAT KEY You are always welcome at Temple Beth Israel, but especially during the High Holy Days, when we celebrate the New Year with a sense of shared values, friendship, and faith. This is both our tradition and our fresh look to the future.

AMANDA POSTMA STAFF WRITER

Our services, led by Rabbi Stephen Sniderman and accompanied by an outstanding choir, reflect the spiritual meaning of the holiday in a beautiful and uplifting way.

If you would like more information, or to purchase tickets for our holiday services, please call us. We would be glad to hear from you.

And, of course, if you’re considering joining a vibrant Reform temple, whether you’re a full-time or parttime resident, you’ll find yourself right at home at Longboat Key’s Temple Beth Israel.

High Holy Day Schedule Erev Rosh Hashanah – 9/15 at 7:30 pm Rosh Hashanah – 9/16 at 10:00 am Kol Nidre – 9/24 at 7:30 pm Yom Kippur Morning – 9/25 at 10:00 am Yom Kippur Afternoon – 9/25 at 4:00 pm Yizkor & Neilah – 9/25 at 5:00 pm Break-the-Fast – 9/25 at 6:00 pm

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Businesses in Sarasota and Manatee counties are being urged to fill out a damage survey put out by the state to help local agencies determine the needs of the business community after Hurricane Idalia passed through the state Wednesday.

The Manatee Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County both sent press releases Aug. 30 regarding the Florida Commerce’s Business Damage Assessment Survey.

“While the majority of our greater Manatee County region businesses have been spared physical damage from Hurricane Idalia, there are some that are and will be dealing with wind and water damage, and a larger number will have other economic losses,” the Manatee chamber release reads.

The survey asks participants to share physical and economic damages, as well as other hindrances, such as debris removal, insurance settlements, product supply, water damage and more.

It then lists the types of assistance currently available for businesses, including: n Emergency Bridge Loan, a short-term, interest-free loan up to $50,000 n SBA Physical Disaster Loans, loans available for uninsured losses up to $2 million for repairs n SBA Economic Injury Loans, up to $2 million in loans are available for businesses that endured economic injury n Small Business Development Center Business Counseling, general business counseling to help access traditional SBA loans

Petra Rivera

The survey can be accessed on FloridaDisaster.biz.

Jacki Dezelski, president and CEO of the Manatee chamber, wrote in a follow-up email that she’s not sure how many businesses have been affected.

“We know that there will be island businesses with flooding damage as well as some other waterfront (e.g.

Manatee River) businesses affected,” she said.

Dezelski pointed to Anna Maria Oyster Bar at the Pier on Bradenton Beach and Café L’Europe on St. Armands Circle as examples, as both were unable to reopen Aug. 30 due to road closures from flooding.

Erin Silk, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County, said the survey may stay open for several months, like it did after Hurricane Ian last year.

“It is too early to tell what the total business damage will be in Sarasota County from Hurricane Idalia,” she said. “Many businesses on our barrier islands are going to have a considerable recovery from flooding, that as of tonight is yet to be measured.”

Silk said that many businesses in the county closed Tuesday and Wednesday, noting that some lost workforce temporarily.

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Dermatology (941)926-6553

Rhett Bogacz, DC Bee Ridge Chiropractic

Cary L. Dunn, MD Luminary Dermatology

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PUBLIC NOTICES The Sarasota/Siesta Key, East County and Longboat Observers meet the legal requirements to publish legal and public notices in Sarasota & Manatee counties, per F.S. 50.011.

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

5

Beneath the surface Water damage, transformer failures and beach ­erosion are among the issues Longboat Key faced due to flooding.

REPORTING STORM-RELATED DAMAGE The town of Longboat Key is asking residents for help supplementing initial damage assessment findings.

Residents can report stormrelated damages to the town at ­PermitDesk@LongboatKey. org with a short description and photos (if necessary). The Planning, Zoning & Building Department can also be reached at its office at 941-316-1966.

Damage can include flooding inside or structural damage to homes, condos or businesses.

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

After the floodwaters receded, town staff and residents realized the full extent of Hurricane Idalia’s damage.

Town staff found around 50 to 70 structures that may have had flooding-related damage, according to Director of Planning, Zoning and Building Allen Parsons.

The department completed a driving assessment of damage in the town on Aug. 30 after the storm passed.

Parsons said the main areas with high flooding were low-lying streets, such as St. Judes Drive North and South, Marbury Lane, Buttonwood Drive and several streets in the Village area.

Eyewitness accounts claimed that the Gulf Shore Mobile Home Park & the Twin Shores Mobile Home Park sustained water damage to some structures, while a larger number of reports claimed water damage to exterior air conditioning and heating units, according to Parsons.

No significant wind or structural damage was seen in the town’s initial assessment.

UNDERWATER

Low-lying areas in Longboat Key, such as the Sleepy Lagoon and Buttonwood neighborhoods, have a long history of flooding. Hurricane Idalia’s storm surge exacerbated the issue.

President of the Sleepy Lagoon Homeowners Association John Connolly identified two big areas of concern after hearing about the impacts of Hurricane Idalia.

First, the underground trans-

Carter Weinhofer

Employees of Harry’s Continental Kitchens Ken Senver, left, and Tom Clark set up the outdoor dining area to prepare for reopening after Hurricane Idalia.

formers couldn’t hold up to the high degree of flooding, Connolly said.

The transformers are a part of the town’s project to bury utilities, in collaboration with Florida Power & Light.

On the town’s website, where frequently asked questions are listed about the project, the site claims that water levels would need to be “very high” in order for fuses to blow, and that those events are rare.

Due to flooding from Hurricane Idalia, many of the underground transformers in the Sleepy Lagoon neighborhood were submerged or close to it, which led FPL to need to replace them once the water receded, Connolly said.

He said he heard of at least 20 transformers that needed to be repaired after the flooding.

“I think there was a miscommunication somewhere about their storm resistance,” Connolly said.

This presents a safety issue, Connolly said. He sent an email to address the concerns with the town, and received a quick response. The concerns are now being forwarded to FPL. Though he isn’t completely sure what the appropriate response would be, Connolly thinks maybe raising the concrete slab of the transformers would be one way to fix the issue.

Some residents that experienced the flooding also had to deal with electrical damage to 220-volt appliances, which include air conditioners, dryers and stoves.

Connolly said it’s not possible to directly connect the transformer issue with the electrical damage, since saltwater intrusion could have also been the culprit.

Another issue Connolly mentioned in his concerns to the town was beach erosion.

“The beach erosion has been an

issue for a while,” Connolly said. “It’s now been exacerbated.”

While beach renourishment may be the best short-term solution, Connolly hopes longer-term solutions can be addressed.

“Now, we’re going to start pushing a lot harder on that,” Connolly said.

BACK IN BUSINESS

Harry’s Continental Kitchens owner Lynn Christensen said the restaurant’s office on St. Judes Drive was flooded with 13 inches of water after the storm surge of Hurricane Idalia.

Flooding on that street isn’t a rare occurrence, Christensen said, but this was the first time the deli had standing water. The deli is up the street just a few feet.

“I think that this time, the flooding was higher than it’s been in the last 20 years,” Christensen said.

Before the storm, Lynn’s son and Harry’s General Manager Hal Chris-

tensen began preparations on Monday. He said he knew something was going to happen.

Having dealt with previous flooding in the office, the team knew what to do. They got to work lifting things two feet off the ground, placed sandbags outside and took their computers off-site.

When the family was able to get back to their business after Longboat Key was opened to residents and business owners, the water had already receded.

But Hal Christensen said the stillwet office smelled like a saltwater aquarium.

The team at Harry’s got to work quickly when they were allowed back onto the island. The first step was to clean and bleach the office space to make sure it was clean to be operated out of again. Then, it needed to be fully dried.

But by Thursday morning, the rest of the business was open again, and Hal Christensen was excited about the upcoming specials they were going to start serving.

“When you do what you love... people love what you do!”

“Rick Cusack is hands-down the best Realtor I have ever worked with... and I am a retired Realtor!”

– Terri W., Local Artist/Sarasota Resident

941-201-2114 www.rickcusack.com Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.

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1575 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

PRICE WARS One school of thought says Citizens Property ­Insurance Corp. should raise its premiums.

LOUIS LLOVIO BUSINESS OBSERVER

I

n late August, Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation responded to a request from Citizens Property Insurance Corp. to raise its rates for property insurance an average of 13.1% by issuing an order sending the state’s insurance company of last resort back to the drawing board.

It must, OIR said in the order, not raise its rates more than 12%.

In a state where the property insurance market is unraveling in real time, with skyrocketing costs leaving property owners scrambling, bewildered and, in some cases, uninsured, the capping of how much Citizens could charge was welcome news. Finally, the thinking went, someone put their foot down.

But there is a theory, one that is bound to be controversial, that the smart fiscal move was not to cap Citizens but for the insurer to raise its rates far beyond the 13.1% it asked for.

The reasoning behind this line of thinking is that the rapid growth in the number of policies Citizens has written means it has taken on a huge amount of risk that, if the worst was to happen, could leave it unable to meet the claims it is responsible for. That it, the state-run insurance company, should operate like a business lest taxpayers be left footing the bill.

“I’ll say this is, if Citizens’ riskbased pricing is half, or a third, or a quarter of the private market, something’s not adding up,” said Gregory Marholin, president of RescomX Insurance Solutions in St. Petersburg, adding that, “If a government entity can provide insurance cheaper than the private market, that’s a major problem.”

As of June 30, Citizens has 1.3 million policies in place and its total premiums are $4.3 billion. Its exposure, though, is $561 billion.

At an OIR public rate hearing in June, Citizens said its surplus is down 33% in the past three years while its once-in-a-100-year storm probable loss is up 93% over the same period.

Its total insured value “continues to alarmingly increase,” growing 192% to $492 billion over the past three years.

And, while all this is happening, Citizens said in the presentation if the full 13.1% rate hike had been approved “our policyholders will still be paying on average about 44% below the rest of the Florida market.”

Citizens did not respond to a request for comment.

But in June, its president, CEO and executive director, Timothy M. Cerio, said, “Citizens’ rates are arti-

ficially low, which throws off the private market and distorts competition.”

“A residual insurer should never compete with the private market.

That is fundamentally unfair to policyholders in the private market.”

MARKET FACTORS

Like most things in Florida’s property insurance marketplace, the topic is complicated and even those in the know sometimes have a tough time grasping matters fully. That’s in large part because much of what drives the decision-making process is tied to when and if a hurricane will hit, how powerful it will be and how many will follow.

The gist of the argument for higher rates is this: Citizens was created as a last resort for people who could not get insurance anywhere else.

But with the volatility in the state’s market driving traditional insurance companies out in droves, it has far too often become the first or only choice. Which means that as the number of its policies has grown, it has taken on greater risk and committed itself to paying out more in claims than it may be able to afford.

If it was unable to cover claims, each Citizens’ policyholder would face a surcharge of up to 45% of their premium and the state would assess other, non-Citizen insurance policies — including home, auto, specialty and surplus — 2% of the premium to cover the difference.

The only ways to even things out, the argument goes, is for Citizens to charge more or find a way to guarantee that no hurricanes, or other natural disasters, hit the state for at least a year.

Since the latter is unlikely to happen, and with warming waters the risks for historically stronger storms growing, the decisions Citizens makes should be made using basic capitalistic market principles.

KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES

Louisiana is already doing this. Its state-run insurance company, Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp., is uncapped, meaning the rates are adjusted based on what’s happening in the real world.

“If the cost of reinsurance for Louisiana Citizens goes up, the trickledown effect comes into play,” said Matthew Mercier, national practice leader for the community association division of CBIZ Insurance Services in Sarasota. “They pass that down on to the consumers, whereas with our Citizens is absolutely capped on what they can do in a given year.”

The Louisiana insurer has tripled in sized to more than 100,000 policyholders in recent years as more than two dozen private insurance

Carter Weinhofer

The public beach access point on Gulfside Road was left with nearly knee-deep water.

companies have either gone insolvent or left the state. Plus, state law requires its rates be at least 10% over the highest qualifying market rate or 10% over the actuarial rate, whichever is higher.

Given the growing number of policies and the increased cost of reinsurance, Louisiana Citizens raised its premiums 63% last year.

“There’s no sugarcoating it — this increase is extremely painful but required by law to make sure Citizens can handle a potential future disaster for its many policyholders,” Louisiana’s insurance commissioner Jim Donelon said in October after the rate increase was approved.

“My staff and I are working with the Legislature to attract more insurers to the state through the use of a program that was highly effective following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which will give Citizens policyholders, and all Louisianans, more and cheaper insurance options in the private market.”

The incentive program provides grants to encourage insurers to write property policies in areas of the state most at risk of seeing heavy damage from hurricanes.

LEGISLATING SOLUTIONS?

And, in this sense, Florida and Louisiana are similar.

Over the past few years, Florida’s Legislature has worked to cut down on the number of lawsuits filed by limiting what attorneys can charge.

These attorney fees were largely blamed for creating an atmosphere that drove insurance companies out and costs up. While the rules are relatively new, there is anecdotal evidence that shows the market is improving, though it will take some time to fully work out.

The state, according to OIR, is also attempting to bring insurers into the state to help create more competition and, in turn, help drive costs down.

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To that end, since April, OIR has approved four new carriers to do business here, including three in August — Orion180 Select Insurance Co., Orion180 Insurance Co. and Mainsail Insurance Co. (A month earlier, though, Farmers Insurance announced it was cutting policies in Florida.)

In the case of the two Indianabased Orion 180 companies, they got in by filing an extension application, which is used “by companies in good standing in their state of domicile that wish to expand their business” into Florida.

If the state can continue attracting new companies, the argument goes, then the same market factors that led to the crisis, and the need for Citizens to raise its rates, will drive costs down and relegate Citizens to its rightful place — a last resort.

But, as with most things, that is easier said than done. While reforms will help and are helping, what will ultimately determine Citizens’ role in Florida’s insurance marketplace is Mother Nature.

“We went 10 years without a storm, surpluses built up and I had three straight years with my condo clients where we were giving out decreases,” Mercier said. “Citizens wasn’t even an afterthought.”

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

OPINION / OUR VIEW

LONGBOAT

Housing affordability crisis Sarasota commissioners took a good step that will help. But they and the county need to be bolder.

MATT WALSH

O

ne of Florida’s most dangerous economic issues — an issue that can choke the life out of Florida’s economic growth trends — is housing.

We’ve said it before: Florida is no longer an inexpensive state.

Any image of fun-in-the-sun affordability is gone.

Consider this: In the fourth quarter of 2000, just after George W. Bush was elected, Florida’s housing index (a measure of all housing sales), according to the Federal Reserve Bank, was 213.04. In fact, it was lower than North Carolina’s, which was 241.74.

Since then, Florida’s housing index has rocketed upward — 785.84 in the second quarter of 2023, a 259% increase, compared to North Carolina’s 637.76, a 163% increase.

That data reflect what we all have seen and felt. Florida’s single-family home prices and new-apartment rents are at an unaffordable crisis stage for the middle class.

Brianna Dobbs, senior planner for the city of Sarasota, crystallized this at an Aug. 7 Sarasota City Commission meeting.

■ Since March 2020, apartment rental rates have risen up to 47%, “some of the largest rent increases in the entire country.”

■ Average one-bedroom rent: 2018: $1,000 a month 2020: $1,250 a month 2023: +$2,000 a month The median rent for a onebedroom apartment within the city

of Sarasota is now $2,202.

And those amounts do not include the cost of utilities — another $200 to $400 a month.

Meantime, the median home price in Sarasota is now more than $500,000. In Tampa, it’s $430,000; in St. Petersburg, $413,000.

“A firefighter making $51,000 a year, or $24 an hour, should be paying no more than $1,275 for rent, and that would include utilities,” Dobbs said. “A teacher making $66,000 a year, $33 an hour, should be paying no more than $1,650 dollars for rent.”

Fact is, 60% of the people employed in the city of Sarasota are service workers, and typically they are paying more than 50% of their monthly incomes on rent.

This rental situation is only going to get worse. Likewise, the cost of a home. This is occurring largely because homeowners insurance continues to climb to unaffordable levels that are not going to subside.

Think this through. Both of these issues — housing and insurance affordability — are a result of a major imbalance: demand far outstripping supply.

In housing, you can attribute some of the problem to supply chain bottlenecks and a lack of construction workers. But the root of the issue is in zoning policies that limit densities per acre.

To their credit, Sarasota city planners and commissioners have been working three years to address the lack of what they call “attainable housing.” On Monday, the city commission took what local condo and apartment developers say is a good step. It adopted a new zoning ordinance that would give developers incentives to construct higher-density projects in the city’s downtown core in exchange for including at least 15% of the units as “attainable.”

It was a modest step, one we’ll applaud nevertheless. “Every little bit helps,” one developer told us.

But it’s not enough. And for the most part, it’s too little too late for the downtown core.

If city commissioners are serious and committed to having a city with

HOW LONG WILL OUR STREAK LAST? Once again, Longboat Key dodged disaster.

It’s a remarkable streak.

The last hurricanes that brought major damage to Longboat Key were in 1921 — an unnamed storm that covered much of Longboat Key with salt water, destroying most of the homes on the south end — and the 1983 No Name Storm.

Nowhere in recorded history is there a named hurricane that made direct landfall on Longboat Key. Which brings to mind the odds. Insurers calculate the odds of 100-year storms. So given history, you can conclude the odds in Longboat’s favor are shrinking.

But still, how do you explain Longboat Key’s good fortune in all this time? For that matter, you could say the same for the city of Sarasota, the barrier islands from Casey Key on the south to Anna Maria and Bradenton.

Why? One answer could be the parishioners at Longboat’s St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church.

During hurricane season, they recite a hurricane prayer at every mass, imploring St. Mary’s intercession. Is it the hand of God? Another answer could be oft-told legend of the Tocobagan Indian tribe in Pinellas County and the Calusa Indians in Lee County. They built 20- and 30foot mounds made of millions of shells, bones and “midden” to construct their own waterfront towns. Legend has it the mounds also were spiritually blessed to fend off storms and hurricanes.

The story has been told so often over the ages, it’s not difficult to want to be a believer. With as many times as Longboat Key has

a vibrant cross-section of people of all incomes, it must revise the city density codes for its downtown edge district and reclassify commercial districts to allow for high-density development.

But this is not just a city of Sarasota issue. Sarasota County commissioners must likewise do the same in the county’s

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 President and Publisher / Emily Walsh, EWalsh@YourObserver.com Executive Editor and COO / Kat Wingert, KWingert@YourObserver.com

escaped direct hits for a century (and 12 times during the 2000s), the legend becomes convincing.

Fact or fiction, we’ll take it.

This is not to make light of or dismiss Hurricane Idalia and its destructive path through Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. Its wrath certainly took its toll on St. Armands Circle businesses.

While the winds were not as destructive as, say, Hurricane Charley in 2004, Idalia was unique in that it not only clocked Category 4 winds, it brought and occurred with a simultaneous trifecta here: six to eight inches of rain, three- to five-foot storm surge and high tides converging at once — a potentially disastrous convergence.

Idalia was just the start of this year’s season. Let’s implore our friends at St. Mary Star of the Sea to keep praying and the Indians’ spell to hold up.

And remember: Don’t let hurricane misses bring complacency.

You never know. We hope and pray the streak continues.

— MW

unincorporated areas on the edges of the city.

Existing residents will fight this. But economically, it’s in their interests to have the housing supply meet the demand.

Do you want affordable restaurants with good service?

Then you need people who can afford to live here.

Compare your tax burden to that of other cities “Compared to what?”

That was the question Jim Michaels, late, longtime, fearinducing editor of Forbes magazine, repeatedly asked when his writers turned in stories full of data about companies and governments.

Michaels drilled into the heads of his writers that reporting numbers and data did no good for readers unless that data gave Longboat Keycontext — say, Oak Brook, Ill., compared one snowbird Ed government’s Tiesenga spending to another’s, or one business to its competitors so you could see which was performing better.

In a similar vein, that’s what struck longtime Longboat Key snowbird Ed Tiesenga. In 2011, as he flew cross-country and looked down at the grids lighting the streets of cities and towns, he began thinking how every municipality taxes its residents in isolation.

Taxpayers know what they’re being taxed in their jurisdictions, but they have little or no knowledge of how their cities or counties compare elsewhere.

After that flight, Tiesenga, who is also an Oak Brook, Ill., tax lawyer and an elected Oak Brook trustee, wrote a memo that became the seed for creating an online national Taxpayer Dashboard (­TaxpayerDashboard.com).

In a column for The Wall Street Journal, Tiesenga’s partner, Carl A. Miller, described the dashboard as

“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.”

Managing Editor / James Peter, JPeter@YourObserver.com Staff Writers / Petra Rivera, PRivera@ YourObserver.com; Carter Weinhofer, CWeinhofer@YourObserver.com Digital & Engagement Editor / Kaelyn Adix, KAdix@YourObserver.com Copy Editor / Gina Reynolds Haskins, GRHaskins@YourObserver.com Senior Editorial Designer / Melissa Leduc, MLeduc@YourObserver.com Editorial Designer / Luke Reasoner, LReasoner@YourObserver.com A+E Editor / Monica Roman Gagnier, MGagnier@YourObserver.com Director of Advertising / Jill Raleigh, JRaleigh@YourObserver.com Sales Manager / Penny Nowicki, PNowicki@YourObserver.com Regional Digital Director / Kathleen O’Hara, KOHara@YourObserver.com Senior Advertising Executive / Laura Ritter, LRitter@YourObserver.com Advertising Executives / Richeal Bair, RBair@YourObserver.com; Jennifer Kane, JKane@YourObserver.com; Honesty Mantkowski, HMantkowski@YourObserver. com; Toni Perren, TPerren@YourObserver. com; Brenda White, BWhite@ YourObserver.com Classified Advertising Sales Executive / Lexi Huelsman, LHuelsman@ YourObserver.com Sales Operations Manager / Susan Leedom, SLeedom@YourObserver.com Sales Coordinator / Account Manager Lori Downey, LDowney@YourObserver.com Advertising/Marketing Coordinator / Caitlin Ellis, CEllis@YourObserver.com Digital Fulfillment Specialist / Emma B. Jolly, EJolly@YourObserver.com Tributes Coordinator / Kristen Boothroyd, Tributes@YourObserver.com Director of Marketing / Robin Lankton, RLankton@YourObserver.com Marketing Specialist / Melanie Melone, MMelone@YourObserver.com Director of Creative Services / Caleb Stanton, CStanton@YourObserver.com Creative Services Administrator / Marjorie Holloway, MHolloway@ YourObserver.com Advertising Graphic Designers / Luis Trujillo, Taylor Poe, Louise Martin, Shawna Polana Digital Developer / Jason Camillo, JCamillo@YourObserver.com Information Technology Manager / Homer Gallego, HGallego@YourObserver. com Chief Financial Officer / Laura Strickland, LStrickland@YourObserver.com Controller / Rafael Labrin, RLabrin@ YourObserver.com Office and Accounting Coordinator / Donna Condon, DCondon@ YourObserver.com

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such: It “is the first tool with the power to compare the per-capita taxation, debt and spending — the best proxy for the size and scope of government — for every city in America.”

In short, Tiesenga’s dashboard lets you see how your city or county’s taxation compares to the other 35,000 cities and townships and 3,000 counties in the U.S. This “unified information,” Tiesenga wrote in 2011, “would allow (people) to choose where to live.

“If more government spending and growth is a kind of personal turn-on for them, they will want to be where they can support the most government possible … For those interested in more minimal government, they can either move to where the index is lower or take steps to correct too much government where they currently live.”

Tiesenga sees the Taxpayer

Dashboard having the potential to ignite a transparency revolution to help taxpayers hold their elected officials and city administrators accountable.

For now, Tiesenga and Miller continue to refine their websites and the data available for taxpayers.

Meantime, if you want to see how Longboat Key or Sarasota compares to other cities, such as Tiesenga’s Oak Brook, Ill., or, say, Aspen or wherever you snowbirds live parttime, select one of these URLs and enter your two home addresses: TaxpayerDashboard.com, or SpendingPressure.com.

The results will show your city’s per capita spending, tax revenues and debt burden — the three ingredients that produce a show the “spending pressure” put on taxpayers. Tiesenga’s dashboard will give you a score that tells whether you live in a jurisdiction with a low,

moderate or high spending pressure on taxpayers.

As all of our local taxing authorities prepare to adopt their next fiscal year budgets, it’s worth taking the time to see how our elected officials are doing vis-à-vis other communities.

Consider these spending pressure scores: Longboat Key 74; Aspen, 78; Oak Brook, Ill., 44.

Not surprisingly, Longboat Key has more spending pressure than Sarasota and Bradenton. That’s worth noting, especially in the context of the town’s proposed budget for 2023-24.

The town’s general fund spending is proposed to increase 15.6% over the previous year, and total spending, which includes capital spending, is proposed to increase 44.3%.

Meantime, the town manager has proposed lowering the millage rate 6.1%, from 2.1144 to 1.985. — MW

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

SEND US YOUR LETTERS Have something to tell us? Send your letters to James Peter at JPeter@ YourObserver.com.

DOG DISPUTE 7:55 p.m., 1000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen Dispute: The beach near the 1000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive gave the Longboat Key Police Department plenty of activity to respond to. The responding officer was asked to look into a disturbance between two women arguing over a service dog on the beach. On the scene, the officer spoke to the dog’s owner, who explained that a verbal dispute began because the other woman was questioning her service dog. The officer told the instigating party to contact police next time instead of taking matters into her own hands.

SUNDAY, AUG. 27

CAUSE FOR CONCERN 9:27 p.m., 3500 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Welfare Check: Police were asked to conduct a welfare check for a caller’s elderly relative who was not answering the phone. When the police arrived, there was no answer at the door. Minutes later, the woman came out of the nearby elevator. She said she wasn’t able to answer the phone because she was walking her dog.

TUESDAY, AUG. 29

BLOCKER BARGE 1:25 p.m., 700 block of St. Judes Drive North Citizen Assist: A resident called to report a construction company’s barge that was docked on and blocking the waterway. A Longboat Key

ATTENTION VOLUNTEERS The Town of Longboat Key is accepting applications for appointment to the following boards:

Consolidated Retirement System Board of Trustees Zoning Board of Adjustment

All members of the Consolidated Retirement System Board of Trustees 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 Statutes Chapter 112.

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WEDNESDAY, AUG. 30

STORM SECURITY 8:04 a.m., 500 block of Bay Isles Parkway Unsecured Premises: While on Hurricane Idalia patrol, an officer noticed the front door of a store appeared to have been blown open due to heavy wind. The officer checked the building to make sure everything was in order and then attempted to re-secure the door with sandbags.

DRIFTING CONCERNS 8:20 a.m., 600 block of Marbury Lane Citizen Assist: Longboat Key Police Department officers were dispatched to respond to a resident’s boat that had fallen off of its lift. Due to the flooding of Hurricane Idalia, the resident was concerned that the boat may drift into the bay. On arrival, the officers were unable to drive to the address because of the high water, and the officers forwarded the call to the Sarasota Emergency Operations Center.

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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 to request an application or for any questions. Applications are also available online at: www.longboatkey.org. Completed applications may be submitted to: Town of Longboat Key – Office of the Town Clerk 501 Bay Isles Road Longboat Key FL 34228

SILVERBERG

police officer investigated but found that the barge was securely docked and not blocking the waterway.

NIGHTS

All applications must be submitted to the Office of the Town Clerk by 12:00 p.m. on September 20, 2023. All applicants must be registered voters of the Town of Longboat Key. Late applications will be held for one year for any future board/committee vacancies that may arise.

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SCENT SOLICITOR 7:32 p.m., 1000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Suspicious Person: Police were dispatched to investigate a suspicious person on the beach soliciting cologne from a backpack. The caller stated the man traveled south on the beach and left the area. The responding officer was unable to locate the solicitor.

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SATURDAY, AUG. 26

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JUVENILE ACTIVITIES 2:30 p.m., 2200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Juvenile Problems: A Longboat Key officer on patrol was approached by a passerby who said two young men on bicycles around Bay Isles Parkway were throwing water bottles up in the air. The bottles fell to the ground and broke open, which is the reason why the complainant said he yelled some obscenities at the juveniles. The officer checked the area and could not locate the young cyclists, but he did see a plastic water bottle on the ground.

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SATURDAY, AUG. 26

COPS CORNER

We, like most Longboat residents, have been involved in running or owning businesses. Having just received our property tax Truth in Millage (TRIM) notice and reading the Observer article reporting on the proposed town budget we are compelled to comment.

First the obvious, given the eyepopping increase in property values this last year, most properties without a Homestead Exemption, logic would dictate the tax millage could and would be reduced given the incremental revenue generated by the increased assessment values. Apparently, not in this case, and commissioners are saying how good it is that they are able to keep the millage the same as this year, no increase. We don’t get it.

The Observer’s report on the proposed budget quotes Mr. (Town Manager Howard) Tipton using the term new “investments in fire, police and in people,” to explain the majority of the projected increase in operating expenses.

The term “investing” in government is used now by all bureaucracies to soften the term “spending increases of tax dollars.” We are supposed to feel good about “investments,” bad about “spending increases.”

Of course it is completely justifiable for budget increases due to inflation impact, employee health insurance benefit costs, reasonable market-driven salary increases, but most business operators would draw the line at increasing the fulltime staff count, which includes not only salary but substantial benefit costs and is basically a permanent, ongoing business expense.

This begs the question: What exactly is the cost — benefit analysis, (ROI) of these individual new “investments?” Well, probably hard to say, maybe increased efficiency, productivity, better run the town manager’s office with a new assistant town manager?

One other point, we have been criticized by some in the town hierarchy for not attending the

budget planning workshops so we would better understand the budget issues. Wrong answer.

As “shareholders” of this “not for profit town business” we expect our competent town department heads guided by our “CEO” town manager to prepare a detailed budget minimizing costs to be presented to our excellent commissioners, our “board of directors,” to maximize shareholder value and minimize cost increases, i.e. continue to cost effectively provide the excellent services (“returns”) we have enjoyed over the years.

We all know 2024 is going to be a questionable year economically, with many economists projecting a recession due to escalating interest rates.

Real estate activity has waned and property values could easily begin to deflate in a normal economic cycle. Inflation, while a concern, has decreased significantly as this year has progressed due to increasing interest rates. Double-digit inflation, across the board, should not be projected into the proposed budget.

That aside, this is not a wise time to take on more payroll and benefit costs.

We also want to acknowledge the great job our town staff, fire, police and commissioners do in managing our very special “not for profit” town of Longboat Key. We are all blessed to live and/or work here.

LETTERS

‘Investments’ vs. increased operating costs

9

10

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

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SWARTZ - Jack Robert of Syracuse, NY and Longboat Key, FL passed away on August 23, 2023, at age 92, joining his beloved wife of 57 years Barbara Jean.

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Corporations. Jack was a US Army Veteran having served during the Korean Conflict. Jack was very active in community events over the years, serving as campaign chair for the United Way, active in activities for Special Olympics as well as spending years as a little league baseball coach. He loved sports and was a dedicated Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres and Tampa Bay Rays fan.

A memorial service will be planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the American Heart Association or your local Hospice.

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Jack was the cherished father of John (Kim) Swartz, James (Lisa) Swartz, Jeffrey (Lori) Swartz, and Jennifer (Ky) Herreid; devoted grandfather of John (Sarah Freedman) Swartz, Emily (Alex) Romano; Nicole (Travis) Orr, Michael (Jessie) Swartz; Jillian (Gary) Cline, Kimberly (Devon Harvey) Swartz, Steven Swartz, Abigail Swartz, Cassandra Swartz, Emma McSherry; and Roxanna, Miranda, Phoebe, and Ayden Herreid; and great-grandfather of Isabella and Olivia Orr, Landon Swartz; and Josie Romano. Jack was preceded in death by his parents Clarence Eugene and Dorothy Virginia Swartz; brothers Clarence Swartz and Walter Swartz; and granddaughter Amanda Swartz. Jack is also survived by his sister Dorothy Miller, many cherished nieces and nephews, and his close friend and companion for the last several years Gisela Virgien of Longboat Key. Jack retired from Niagara Mohawk after 36 years, mainly working in the labor relations department, forging lasting long-term relationships with managers and union officials alike as he negotiated contracts for Niagara Mohawk and Canadian Niagara Power

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

11

Private Dining. Indeed, Private Everything.

ON SAR ASOTA’S LIDO BEACH.

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A+E INSIDE: < SUNCOAST CONCERT BAND: A cultural constant turned 90 this year. 15 EATING WITH EMMA: Bite into Sarasota’s best bagels (boiled not baked). 14>

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

YOUROBSERVER.COM

MEET SARASOTA’S NEW ARTS CZAR Brian Hersch takes the helm at the Arts and Cultural Alliance.

MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER A+E EDITOR

D

uring the Great Recession, country music singer John Rich (half of

the duo Big & Rich) struck a chord with Americans with his song “Shuttin’ Detroit Down.”

While Rich’s ditty decried bailouts for bankers, in the end, Detroit got them too.

The auto industry received nearly $80 billion from the government, of which $70 billion was repaid.

The White House even named Wall Street insider Steven Rattner the “car czar” to fix Detroit.

But what is a discussion of the auto industry doing in the Arts + Entertainment section of a Sarasota area newspaper?

Good question. Stay with me, as EMT personnel have been known to say. There is an analogy here, even if it’s long-winded.

Here it goes: What autos are to Detroit, the arts are to Sarasota. We even have an arts czar, although most people on the street don’t know it.

His name is Brian Hersch, and his title is CEO and president of the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County. In June, Hersch succeeded Jim Shirley, who retired as executive director of the organization formerly known as the Arts Council after 24 years.

Before joining the Arts Alliance, Hersch spent more than 20 years in nonprofit arts administration, including posts at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City and Asolo Repertory Theatre.

Prior to joining the Arts Alliance, Hersch led Sarasota County Public Schools’ strategic approach to arts education.

Even though he’s not a household name, the unassuming Hersch, who studied percussion in college, is a good guy to know in Sarasota’s arts world. That’s because the organization he leads holds the purse strings for arts funding that comes from local taxes.

“We’re Florida’s Cultural Coast. We punch above our weight.”

— Brian Hersch

Sarasota County’s tourist development tax of 6% generates more than $42 million a year, of which the arts receive 8%. This year, Sarasota County will provide a record $3.2 million in funding to 35 arts and cultural organizations through grants administered by the Arts Alliance.

For a small nonprofit, getting a grant of $10,000 can literally keep the lights on.

In an interview at the Arts Alliance’s offices around the corner from the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Hersch notes that despite his title and role in Sarasota’s arts scene, he’s a facilitator and a collaborator, not a dictator (my word, not his).

A drummer at heart, Hersch is used to keeping the beat, stepping up to fill the empty spaces and improvising when necessary.

The analogy between Detroit during the Great Recession and Sarasota right now isn’t perfect because there isn’t much to fix in the city’s arts scene. The area weathered the storm of the pandemic with innovative approaches, like when the Asolo Repertory Theatre used its outdoor terrace as a stage during 2021.

Donors dug deep and ticket holders often didn’t request refunds for canceled performances.

While regional theaters have suffered post-pandemic audience declines averaging 30% and are scaling back production and even closing down in some parts of the country, performing arts is in full bloom in Sarasota. Tourists are coming to the area in greater numbers than ever. In March, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport set a record for arrivals.

Some regional theaters forced to retrench had previously embarked on expensive expansion. Indeed, pricey projects are on the drawing board in Sarasota as the city explores the potential for replacing the Van Wezel with a state-of-the-art performance space designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop and the Sarasota Orchestra plans to develop a climate change-proof facility outside of the city near Interstate 75.

How those projects are financed and managed and whether they attract patrons will determine the health of the city’s performing arts in the future. But that’s a story for another day.

Right now, all is well in Sarasota performing arts, especially com-

Monica Roman Gagnier

Brian Hersch, the new president and CEO of the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, poses at the Palmer Modern gallery in the Limelight District.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

Observer’s It’s Read Everywhere Contest

Where will you take us this year?

of a happy kingdom in a fairy tale.

You can’t blame Hersch if he almost sounds smug when he proudly proclaims, “We’re Florida’s Cultural Coast. We punch above our weight.”

It’s a given that the tourists and retirees flock to Sarasota County for its pristine beaches filled with fine white sand. After spending time at the beach or on the water, the snowbirds shop, eat and go out at night for entertainment.

In the old days, they went to the circus. John Ringling moved the winter quarters of the Ringling Bros.

Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1927, just as Florida’s land boom was going bust.

When Ringling died a decade later, he bequeathed his estate, which included his Cà d’Zan mansion, an art museum, art library and gardens, to the state of Florida. “Ringling was Disney before Disney” is something you hear around town about his farreaching legacy to Sarasota.

In “Shuttin’ Detroit Down,” Rich criticized the Wall Street engineers who developed the dangerous synthetic financial instruments and shady loans that created the housing crisis. His big beef was that they didn’t make anything tangible.

“Well pardon me if I don’t shed a tear.

“They’re selling make believe and we don’t buy that here.”

But as the striking actors and writers in Hollywood know, “selling make believe” is the business of the arts and plenty happens in Sarasota. But it’s not just about consumer gratification or escaping reality, Hersch says.

He believes that the arts can heal and that the Alliance can help administer the cure.

Hersch takes a holistic approach.

He sees his job as helping the arts keep the community healthy as well as working to improve the wellbeing of the city’s artists.

One of his goals that he’s willing to talk about is his desire to bring more arts performances to public spaces, so they are accessible to all.

“Arts are an elixir,” he says, echoing the wisdom understood by everyone from Sarasota’s circus magnate godfather to plein air painters plying their trade at the farmers market.

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pared to its regional competitors.

It’s the city’s fragmented visual arts scene that’s trying to find its footing amid rising rents downtown and the migration of art sales from formal galleries to pop-up events and artists’ open studios.

Hersch is well aware of the disparity in attention and funding between the performing arts and the visual arts, the city’s public art plan notwithstanding. Maybe that’s why he chose to have his picture taken at the new Palmer Modern gallery in the up-and-coming Limelight District instead of the nearby Van Wezel, the Historic Asolo Theater or even the Sarasota Opera House.

There’s a subtlety in the way Hersch works that isn’t immediately apparent. Sure, he’s a nice guy, but he’s also strategic. What’s more, he fine-tunes his talking points based on feedback from his audience, whether it be one person or dozens.

Maybe all CEOs should train to be musicians. You won’t get disagreement on that sentiment from Hersch, who was a champion of arts education in his roles at Sarasota County Public Schools.

Is there a better place for a kid who’s an aspiring artist or acrobat to grow up than Sarasota? Name one.

There is also plenty of enthusiasm for the arts at the other end of the age spectrum. Like many other arts executives, Hersch is aware that most of the seats at Sarasota’s arts venues are filled by people with grey hair. That makes sense because have the time and money to attend concerts and other performances.

Suffice it to say, as a busy family man who is married to Lauren Hersch, a philanthropy advisor at Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Hersch understands that it’s difficult to see the latest cabaret show at Florida Studio Theatre if you’ve got to get the kids to soccer practice and get dinner on the table. At certain times in their lives, people have more time for the arts than at others, he says.

Asked about local efforts to sponsor events for young people, Hersch demurs. He’s not willing to show all his cards yet, especially in a job that he only started in June.

Maybe Hersch isn’t a czar after all. Perhaps he’s more like the ruler

13

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

EATING WITH EMMA

Bite into the best bagels Foodies know the difference between boiled and baked lumps of dough.

BY EMMA JOLLY CONTRIBUTOR

M

y dad used to find comfort riding the peaceful bike trails around Sarasota, while my mother gets rejuvenated bobbing and talking with her friends in the pool. My sister seeks solace by reading books under the umbrella on the shores of Longboat Key, and my husband discovered relaxation driving the boat on the glass-like Gulf waters.

Me? I find my body rests best after biting into a bagel.

So, with added stresses to my life that have been out of my control, I was bound to find the best bagels that made me feel “hole.”

JERSEY GIRL BAGELS

5275 University Parkway, Unit 103, Bradenton; 941-388-8910; JerseyGirlBagels.net

To the bagel that gives the tri-state area (That’s New York, Jersey and Connecticut in my book) a run for its money.

You’re my everything: All the bagel dough here is made from scratch daily. This process of love makes me feel right at home. As a tri-state area born-and-raised foodie, let me tell you, it’s not often you find a baker who boils bagels like this. It’s been said that Jersey Girl Bagels makes more than 2,000 bagels daily, including flavors from French toast (to die for) to onion, cheddar cheese to daily specials.

Knead this in your life: While you could order an egg and cheese with a choice of bacon, sausage or New Jersey Taylor Ham ($7.99) I have to give it up to the simple beauty of an individual sesame bagel ($2) or specialty asiago bagel ($2.50) with flavored cream cheese like scallion or soon-to-be-back pumpkin.

PALM AVENUE DELI

1297 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota; 941-263-3742; PalmAvenueDeli.com

To the bagel that reminds me of something Jerry, George, Elaine or Kramer would order.

You’re my everything: Opening just a few weeks ago in our culinary-chic community, this New-York-inspired deli is where you will find me every time I’m homesick. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., with dinner coming soon,

this nostalgic eatery with iconic Big Apple deli flavors puts family and food first!

Knead this in your life: This place knows how to party like a lox star! From a Nova Lox platter ($16) to Nova Lox bagel ($11) with all the NYC fixings to Nova Lox egg and cheese ($12), these bagel and salmon pairings have me wanting to “start spreading the news.” But the lox train doesn’t stop there. Enjoy Nova Lox avocado toast ($18) or the lox, egg and onion frittata ($16).

Photos by Emma Jolly

Jersey Bagels gives the tri-state area (New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut) a run for its money.

LOX N’ EGG AND BROOKLYN BAGELS & DELI

ing options. Or try a luncheon with your closest bagel-loving besties.

4065 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; 941-924-1797; LoxAndEgg.com.

6970 S. Beneva Road, Sarasota; 999 Cattlemen Road Unit H, Sarasota; 941-993-1577; BrooklynBagelsAndDeli.com

Knead this in your life: Bring home a baker’s half-dozen ($10.25) or a baker’s dozen ($19.50) of sensational salt bagels, phenomenal plain bagels, gorgeous garlic bagels, out-of-this-world onion bagels and more. This deli puts authentic flavor into each bagel bite. I am blown away that it’s happening right here in Sarasota.

To the bagel and schmear that leaves me begging for more room in my tummy.

You’re my everything: Prepare to experience bae-goals. Lox n’ Egg and both Brooklyn Bagels & Deli locations offer the most beautiful bagel box ($30), besties. The dough-filled delivery includes 12 regular bagels and two containers of fresh cream cheese (one plain and one flavored besides bacon and lox).

Knead this in your life: Both spots serve specials that make me feel like I’m being welcomed to New York even as I sit in a booth in Sarasota. Choose from over 20 lunch options, or be like me and challenge yourself to a cream cheese contest. There are over 10 fresh cream cheese choices, including honey walnut, jalapeño and bacon, to spread onto a dealer’s choice of bagels — from pumpernickel to spinach Swiss and more.

POSTAL 98 CAFE

1240 Yoder Ave., Sarasota; 941-2608862; Postal98cafe.com

To the bagel coffee pairing that has me questioning if a better duo exists.

You’re my everything: Although the two choices are plain or everything, you surely won’t be disappointed with how you style the holey breakfast baked good. Whether it’s a bacon, egg and cheese ($8.59) or simply plain with strawberry cream cheese, your taste buds will

MORTON’S DELI AND MARKET

1924 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota; 941955-9856; 205 Canal Road, Sarasota; 941-349-1474; MortonsMarket.com

To the bagel platter of my dreams.

You’re my everything: Morton’s is my family’s favorite caterer (They catered my grandmother’s 90th birthday.), my husband’s sweet treat spot and my parents’ favorite “I’m going to bring lunch over” joint. Fun fact? Morton’s has been family owned and operated for four generations since 1969.

At Lox n’ Egg and Brooklyn Bagels and Deli, I feel like I’m being welcomed to New York.

be treated right.

Knead this in your life: Guatemalan coffee in a variety of different flavors leaves me feeling caffeinated and carefree. Feeling banana? Order the chunky monkey frappe ($5.09 and up). Missing fall? Order the maple cinnamon swirl latte ($5.09) — or stop by to see what specials are being served. Not into coffee?

The tea selection is just as tasty with options like heavenly honey lavender fog ($3.69 and up) made with Earl Grey.

MESHUGANA DELI

4001 Clark Road, Sarasota; 941933-0244; MeshuganaSRQ.com

To the bagel that puts me in an Empire State of Mind.

You’re my everything: When I told my boss I was writing a story on bagels and was featuring this spot, she informed me that not only had she had my selection for dinner the night before, but “Meshugana” means crazy. Let me tell you, I’m crazy in love. This specialty deli delivers delicious New York flavors with carryout, pickup and cater-

Knead this in your life: When prepping for my wedding morning (before the hurricane swept our plans away), I planned a huge brunch for the females in my life that I needed by my side. While the wedding plans changed, the assorted bagel platter with butter and cream cheese ($4.99/per person) from Morton’s never altered. I put a shmear on any bagel my hands could touch and savored each bite.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

15

Suncoast Concert Band celebrates its 90th birthday Formed in a trailer park during the Great Depression, the Sarasota-based band is still going strong.

ROBERT STOLL CONTRIBUTOR

T

he year 1932 was a difficult one. The country was in the middle of the Great Depression, John Philip Sousa died March 6 and Americans longing for relief elected Franklin D. Roosevelt president in November.

In December, eight musicians calling themselves the “Tin Can Tourists” performed for the residents of Arcadia.

The next month, the group moved to Sarasota, and on Jan. 17, 1933, became “The Sarasota Trailer Park Band.” That name would last until 1974, when the group was rechristened the “Sarasota Mobile Home Park Band.”

Many of those watching the group now known as the Suncoast Concert Band perform during season at the Northminster Presbyterian Church may not be aware of how historical forces have buffeted the group over its long history.

Surviving the World War II years was no small task. While many members of the band were yearround residents, the war years, with its rationing and manpower mobilizations, forced some members to forego winter trips to Florida. The band, however, “played on.”

As its popularity grew, so did the ranks of its members. Florida became a mecca for former professional performers. Some even came from famous Big Bands, while others arrived from renowned symphony orchestras.

Retired professionals brought their expertise to Sarasota. Performing with the band provided them an opportunity to continue playing the instruments they loved and to make new friends.

In spring 1964, Leo Laier became the band’s third director, following in the footsteps of Voltaire Sturgis and Fred Prefect. For the next 46 years, Laier worked to improve the quality of band performances.

To do so, he sought out new members that could bring a high standard of musicianship to performances. He also moved the band indoors to the newly built Payne Park Auditorium, the community center and meeting hall for the Sarasota Mobile Home Park.

Membership, which held steady at about 40 players, grew to around 55 musicians. In 1975, Laier formed the Suncoast Jazz Ambassadors, a 16-piece Big Band for those who wanted to play big band and swing music.

In 1979, the Suncoast Concert Band performed at the first Association of Concert Bands convention in Sarasota and again in 2017 at the ACB confab in Fort Lauderdale. The band’s travel extended even farther when it journeyed to England and Ireland to perform a series of concerts in 1986.

In 1993, the band decided to shed its mobile park moniker. It became formally known as the Suncoast Concert Band.

After 46 years of untiring musical leadership, Laier retired as director in May 2010 and was named director emeritus. He passed the baton Robert Stoll, who had joined the band in the trombone section in 2005.

The band celebrated a milestone in 2011 when it hit 1,000 performances. Since its inception, the Suncoast Concert Band has been entertaining audiences twice a month from November to May. Its repertoire consists of marches, show tunes, overtures, religious selections and familiar melodies.

The band played its final performance in Payne Park Auditorium in May 2012 and moved to Northminster Presbyterian Church. The opportunity to perform in this beautiful sanctuary has proven to be an uplifting and refreshing boon to both players and audiences.

Courtesy Photos

The Suncoast Concert Band got its start in January 1933 as the Sarasota Trailer Park Band.

Robert Stoll has been the director of Suncoast Concert Band since 2010.

Northminster Presbyterian Church is also the home of the Suncoast Jazz Ambassadors, which perform one concert a month from December to May. As we celebrate our 90th anniversary, what do our audiences think about the Suncoast Concert Band and Jazz Ambassadors? Nancy Stoll,

the business manager for the band, often hears from audience members who write to share their experiences.

Here are just a few: “As a former music educator, I am amazed at the quality of the musical performances. It is outstanding!”

Says another, “Living on a fixed income, it means so much to me to be able to attend such a high-quality performance at a very affordable price.” ($5.)

Last, “Thank you for providing us with a most enjoyable Sunday afternoon of great music.”

This kind of positive feedback is precisely why the musicians practice, rehearse and perform.

On to 100!

Robert (Bob) Stoll is a retired music educator who taught for 34 years in Massachusetts. He received his Bachelor of Music from New England Conservatory of Music. While teaching, he was personnel manager and played in the Metropolitan Wind Symphony and also the New England Brass Band. He joined the Suncoast Concert Band and Jazz Ambassadors in 2005 and became music director in 2010.

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AIN’T TOO PROUD— THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS

“New Van Wezel Season Has It All!” Rocky Horror Picture Show with Barry Bostwick ............................. Sept. 30 Romeo & Juliet Ballet* .................................. Oct. 8 Bored Teachers Comedy Tour ................. Oct. 13 Nick Carter–Who I Am Tour ..................... Oct. 20 SOLD OUT! Sebastian Maniscalco .................................

Oct. 22 Celtic Thunder–Odyssey .............................. Nov. 1 John Waite– 40 Years of Missing You Tour ............... Nov. 8 An Evening with Bruce Hornsby .............. Nov. 9 Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock and Roll, Part VI ............................. Nov. 10 William Shatner– The Wrath of Khan .................................... Nov. 11 Straight No Chaser– Sleighin’ It Tour ........................................... Nov. 17

Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons ..................................... Nov. 18 Mannheim Steamroller Christmas ....... Nov. 19 Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance 25th Anniversary Tour ........................... Nov. 24 Rumours of Fleetwood Mac .................... Nov. 25 Johnny Cash– The Official Concert Experience ........ Nov. 26 Pretty Woman–The Musical ............. Nov. 27-28 Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour ........................................... Nov. 29 Sweet Caroline Tour– A Neil Diamond Christmas ..................... Dec. 4 Derek Hough Symphony of Dance ......... Dec. 9 Allman Betts Family Revival ................... Dec. 12 Marie Osmond– An Orchestral Christmas ....................... Dec. 13

Sarah Brightman– A Christmas Symphony ......................... Dec. 14 Daniel O’Donnell ............................................ Dec. 15 The Illusionists– Magic of the Holidays ............................. Dec. 16 Wheel of Fortune LIVE! ............................... Dec. 17 Il Divo–A New Day Holiday Tour .......... Dec. 20 Celtic Angels Christmas ............................. Dec. 21 Cirque Musica– Holiday Wonderland ............................... Dec. 23 Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet* ..................................... Dec. 28 Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert .......................................................... Dec. 30 The Cher Show ........................................... Jan. 10-12 Mutts Gone Nuts ............................................. Jan. 13 Les Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo ............................................. Jan. 14

The Four Phantoms in Concert ................ Jan. 17 Robert Dubac’s Stand-Up Jesus .............. Jan. 18 Hyprov .................................................................. Jan. 21 Yacht Rock Revue .......................................... Jan. 24 The Guess Who ............................................... Jan. 25 Hadestown ........................................... Jan. 30-Feb. 4 The Simon and Garfunkel Story ............. Feb. 6 Kenny Wayne Shepherd .............................. Feb. 8 Gipsy Kings ........................................................ Feb. 13 An Intimate Evening with David Foster and Katherine McPhee .. Feb. 14 Chris Botti Live in Concert ........................ Feb. 17 Ain’t Too Proud–The Life and Times of The Temptations ............. Feb. 21-25 Jagged Little Pill ....................................... Feb. 27-28 Celtic Woman .................................................. Feb. 29 Stayin Alive ........................................................ Mar. 4 The Righteous Brothers ............................... Mar. 5

Midtown Men .................................................... Mar. 6 Little Women ................................................. Mar. 7-8 Terry Fator–On the Road Again ............... Mar. 9 Paul Anka–Seven Decades Tour ........... Mar. 10 Champions of Magic ..................................... Mar. 12 Neil Berg’s 114 Years of Broadway ....... Mar. 14 Paul Taylor Dance Company ................... Mar. 18 Doo Wop Project .......................................... Mar. 20 Kristin Chenoweth–Inspiration Gala .. Mar. 22 The Academy of St Martin in the Fields with Joshua Bell ........................... Mar. 23 Hamilton ............................................... Mar. 26-Apr. 7 Always Olivia .................................................... Apr. 10 Shrek the Musical ..................................... Apr. 16-17 The Rocket Man Show ................................. Apr. 24 Johnny Mathis– Voice of Romance Tour ........................... Apr. 27 One Night of Queen ..................................... May 10

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GROUP SALES: 941.263.6726 BOX OFFICE: Mon-Fri 10-6 • Sat 10-4

Open later Saturday and Sunday (on show days only)

Save on most shows. Discounts not applicable for Golden Circle or Smart Seats. Tickets include $2 parking fee, $8 surcharge and sales tax (if applicable). Prices, dates and times subject to change without notice.

Avoid third-party sellers. Visit VanWezel.org for the lowest ticket prices!

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SPONSORS: Lexus of Sarasota, ABC 7, Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation, Herald-Tribune Media Group, WUSF Public Media, Hyatt Regency Sarasota, Michael’s on East, Observer Media Group, WEDU PBS, Sarasota Magazine, Mattison’s Restaurants & Catering, Michelob Ultra Pure Gold, Piano Distributors, Rosewood Residences Lido Key, Senior Friendship Centers, 92.1 WCTQ, Cruise Planners & Regent Seven Seas Cruises, 107.9 WSRZ, The Owen Golden Gate Point, Z105 WTZB, BCB Homes, The Mall at University Center, Culver’s, Bonefish Grill, Westin Hotels & Resorts, Discover Sarasota Tours, Embassy Suites by Hilton Sarasota, Hotel Indigo, Eager Beaver Car Wash and Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

CAT CARE CLINIC

Affordable Veterinary Services

Open to the Public

2542 17th St., Sarasota, FL 34234 For pricing and services, go to www.catdepot.org

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By Appointment Only - 941.366.CATS (2287)

THIS WEEK

DON’T MISS

THE JALEN BAKER QUARTET Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and Modern Marimba team up to present an evening of jazz featuring the Jalen Baker Quartet, with Jalen Baker on vibraphone, Paul Cornish on the piano, Gavin Moolchan on the drums and Gabriel Godoy on bass.

IF YOU GO When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday Where: West Coast Black Theatre, Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave. Tickets: $27 Info: WestcoastBlackTheatre.org

THURSDAY

JOHN PIRMAN: ‘DIVING INTO NATURE’ 10 a.m. at Selby Gardens, 1534 Mound St. $26 Visit Selby.org.

The retrospective of the Sarasotabased designer and illustrator John Pirman will present his works both inside and outside at Selby Gardens.

Runs through Sept. 17.

ARTIST TALK: LAUREN MANN, ‘THE EPHEMERALITY OF BEING’ 5:30-7:30 p.m. Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail $5 Visit ArtSarasota.org.

Bringing the

AM I

to

5405 UNIVERSITY PWKY #110 • OYSTERBAR.NET

FRIDAY ROBERT GARCIA 7 p.m. at Centennial Park, Venice Free Visit VisitVeniceFL.org.

‘CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REMIXED!’ 7:30 p.m. at FST’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N. Palm Ave. $18 and up Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Gather in Centennial Park for this free concert hosted by Venice MainStreet and sponsored by Neal Communities. Bring chairs or picnic blankets. No alcohol is permitted.

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RAW BAR HAPPY HOURS LATE NIGHT

Courtesy Photo

Based in Clearwater, Lauren Mann is a portrait artist whose detailed and colorful pencil drawings have been exhibited in several Florida shows.

“The Jersey Tenors” and “The Surfer Boys” veteran Vaden Thurgood has created his own musical revue for FST’s summer cabaret series. The show follows the life of Creedence Clearwater Revival founder John Fogerty through hit songs such as “Proud Mary” and “Bad Moon Rising.” Runs through Oct. 22.

OUR PICK

DIVAS THREE Created by Nancy Allen Productions, three female vocalists present four decades of songs made famous by Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and other women who have won the coveted title of “Diva.”

IF YOU GO When: Through Sept. 17 Where: FST’s Court Cabaret Tickets:$18 and up Info: FloridaStudioTheatre.org

SATURDAY SECOND SATURDAY 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Creative Liberties, 927 N. Lime Ave. and 901B Apricot Ave. Free Visit CreativeLiberties.net.

Artists at art galleries such as Creative Liberties open their studios to the public on the Second Saturday of each month. A map of participating galleries can be found at SRQArtists.com. Please call ahead of time.

MIKE MCCARTHY 7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd.

Runs through Sept. 17 Tickets $25 Visit McCurdysComedy.com.

Dubbed the “Comedy Barbarian,” Mike McCarthy has a high-energy style that leaves audiences bouncing off the walls and gasping for breath.

GRANDPARENTS DAY SEPTEMBER 10 Grandparents hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever.

Grandparents and children have a special connection that is proven to make grandparents live longer and cause children to be more emotionally resilient.

Treasure that connection and spend some quality family time together.

Saturday, September 23, 4pm • Church of the Palms Chorus meets the Argentine Tango!

Celebrate the passion and sizzle with bandoneonist Ben Bogart, pianist Winnie Cheung, and 4 traditional tango dancers.

GIVE A GIFT IN HONOR OF YOUR GRANDPARENT. Ben Bogart

Winnie Cheung

Fernanda Ghi & Silvio Grand

Junior Cervila & Guadalupe Garcia

Purchase your tickets today at:

KeyChorale.org • 941.552.8768

421 N Lime Ave • Sarasota FL 34237 (941) 366-6693 • MealsOnWheelsOfSarasota.org

SERVING MEALS • DELIVERING HOPE • SAVING LIVES

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A registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization established in 1971 398215-1

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Classifieds 30 Games 29 Real Estate 27 Weather 29

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Storied past, bright future The 75th Annual Labor Day Regatta drew young sailors and experienced racers from across the state.

TOP FINISHERS According to the Sarasota Sailing Squadron website, this information is subject to modification.

Optimist Green (37 boats) 1. Kamila Murray, Naples Community Sailing Center 2. Edmund Rutledge, Lauderdale Yacht Club 3. Christian Woodward, Naples Community Sailing Center

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

M

Photos by Ian Swaby

Tristan Lovell (Optimist RWB — Blue) of Davis Island Race Team, Piper Roberts (Optimist RWB — White) of Sarasota Yacht Club and Ryan Rossignol (Optimist RWB — Red of Sarasota Youth Sailing) race downwind.

Club 420 (26 boats) 1. Ian Richardson / Blake Vincent, Davis Island Race Team 2. Curt Wheeler / Brynn DeJongh, Sarasota Yacht Club 3. Mary Katherine Monahan / McRae Busey, Florida Yacht Club

“They’re the future of the sport.

The more youth we can get out on water, the better the chance the sport has to survive.”

— Mark Liebel, PRO

Youth Sailing.

When he started the sport, which he has practiced for about three years while taking a break at one point, he found it difficult, especially as the boat rocked considerably.

“It was difficult, and then easy, and then difficult,” he said.

As he mastered the skills his feelings began to change, however.

One of his favorite aspects of the sport has always been the speed involved, something that becomes important during a regatta.

“Sailing is fun because you get to be on the water, and then regattas are fun because it’s a challenge against other people, he said.

He said he would advise others to try Sarasota Youth Sailing as well.

“Do SYS — it’s better than anything,” he said. “A lot of it is just the camaraderie about the people. I love the fact that it’s you trying to figure out Mother Nature, which you’re always going to lose. You just try your best. It’s always a challenge, no matter if we’re running races or sailing.”

Regatta Chair Dave Hillmyer said on Saturday that the event was proceeding smoothly.

“It’s really great conditions today,” he said. “You look around and see everyone having a good time. Everyone just goes with the flow. It’s a good vibe.”

Optimist RWB (42 boats) 1. Eddie Miersch (Blue), Sarasota Yacht Club 2. Griffin Roberts (Red), Sarasota Yacht Club 3. Benjamin Dreyfuss (Red), Sarasota Youth Sailing

International Laser Class Association (ILCA) 4 (9 boats) 1. Jackson Wilcox, Sarasota Sailing Squadron 2. Sophia Woodbury, Sarasota Youth Sailing 3. Olivia Castaldi, SopraVentus Cahan Raymond and Nils Wheeler of Sarasota Yacht Club sail a Club 420.

International Laser Class Association (ILCA) 6 (13 boats) 1. Jackson Bjorklund, Sarasota Youth Sailing 2. Jan Mistak St., St. Petersburg Yacht Club 3. Jason Folvig, Sarasota Sailing Squadron International Laser Class Association (ILCA) 7 (10 boats) 1. Callen Burnett, St. Petersburg Yacht Club 2. Morgan Smith, Sarasota Youth Sailing 3. Preston Weaver, St. Petersburg Yacht Club For full details, visit RegattaNetwork.com/ Event26192.

Jackson Bjorklund, of Sarasota Youth Sailing, sails in a Laser.

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ark Liebel first sailed with the Sarasota Sailing Squadron in 1981, after his family moved to the area from Cincinnati when he was 9 years old.

Soon, he was headed into the water for his first Annual Labor Day Regatta.

“I loved it so much, I never stopped,” he said.

For the past 10 years, including at the 75th Annual Labor Day Regatta the weekend of Sept. 2-3, he has served as principal race officer, supervising the race courses at the event.

Over time, he has seen the regatta evolve into a more youth-oriented event, a change he said shows that the sport is being passed on to the next generation.

“Not only does it bring back memories, it’s just great to see the youth in the sport,” he said. “They’re the future of the sport. The more youth we can get out on water, the better the chance the sport has to survive.”

Liebel said the event was one of the biggest in recent history. It drew about 175 sailors from organizations including the sailing squadron, the Sarasota Yacht Club and the Davis Island Race Team in Tampa.

The young participants, who had the chance to pilot their boats in Sarasota Bay, said they were also enjoying what sailing had to offer.

Thirteen-year-old Coco Claypoole of Longboat Key began sailing at age 7 and now belongs to the Red fleet of the Optimist RWB fleets at Sarasota Youth Sailing, a nonprofit organization that provides coaching and instruction for young sailors at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron.

Claypoole said she enjoyed the sport from the time she first started alongside her brother, Brice Claypoole. She grew to enjoy it more and more as she improved. It even resulted in her mother, Ali Claypoole, taking up sailing as well.

“I just enjoy being in my own boat and being in control of the boat,” she said, adding that she sees herself continuing to sail into the future.

Everett Vaughan, 10, of Sarasota began sailing after he was inspired by his brother, Sam Vaughn, and currently belongs to the entry-level Optimist Green fleet of Sarasota

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

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Viewing Financial hits from HBO/Mainstream, along with Award winning Bitcoin/Blockchain/Cryptocurrency Documentaries, followed by discussion and networking.

Nearly 3,000 flags will be placed along GMD in remembrance of those who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

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In 2002, the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce organized a ceremony to pay tribute to those who died during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

People gathered in Joan M. Durante Park with first responders and rang a bell, just as millions were doing across the country.

As the date approached in 2003, Chamber President Gail Loefgren thought to herself, “How could we make this a more unique experience on Longboat Key to honor the lives that passed on 9/11?”

Originally, she wanted to bring 2,000 large American flags to the ceremony in Joan M. Durante Park.

When she realized that wasn’t possible, she went to the Chamber board and pitched the idea of putting small flags alongside the entirety of Gulf of Mexico Drive.

“It is a huge partnership between

Reed Savidge at the hardware store, the residents and Chamber members and the town which puts them out,” said Loefgren.

With donations from Chamber members and Longboat residents, Loefgren bought 2,974 flags from Savidge at Longboat ACE Hardware, who gave her a deal of $1 per flag. The Longboat Key Public Works Department places the flags along Gulf of Mexico Drive every year.

“In 2001, we said we would never forget, and so far, we have not,” said Loefgren. “It’s uplifting to the community that we put those out every year. It means a lot to people who are just driving through as well. It surprises them. I think it tells them who we are.”

This year, employees from the Public Works Department will start placing the flags Sept. 9-10, according to Loefgren.

She said that since this has been a memorial for so many years, the Longboat ACE Hardware gives them any new flags that they need for free.

“It’s the generosity that warms my heart that so many people care enough and they still care,” said Loefgren. “We get lots of comments every year when those flags go up about what a wonderful memorial it is. And I just hope that we keep doing it forever.”

American flags line Gulf of Mexico Drive in remembrance of 9/11.

460 E. ROYAL FLAMINGO DRIVE BUYER REPRESENTED | $3,300,000

1744 FORTUNA STREET BUYER REPRESENTED | $1,650,000

114 N. WARBLER LANE SELLER & BUYER REPRESENTED | $3,100,000

5527 PALMER CIRCLE, UNIT 206 SELLER REPRESENTED | $465,000

JEFF RHINELANDER 941-685-3590 jeff@jeffrhinelander.com

COURTNEY TARANTINO 941-893-7203 courtney.tarantino@floridamoves.com

443F John Ringling Blvd | Sarasota, FL 34236 | rhinelander tarantino.com 398045-1

18

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

19

#1 LONGBOAT KEY TEAM Michael Saunders & Company Follow on Instagram @LongboatLife

BENCHMARK RESULTS • STR ATEGIC MARKETING • PERSONALIZED SERVICE

ER N R CO

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RECENT ACTIVITY

G IN D N PE

QUEENS HARBOUR ELEGANCE

545 SANCTUARY DR #B406 | $2,475,000

3605 FAIR OAKS PL | OFFERED AT $2,200,000 This 4 bed/3.5 bath private corner lot residence located behind the gates of the Longboat Key Club offers volume ceilings, a heated pool, 2 ensuite guest bedrooms, dedicated laundry room, 2 car garage, a new roof and membership to the Bay Isles Beach Club.

MLS# A4578278

E IC R P

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4725 GULF OF MEXICO DR #213 | $794,000

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BEACHPLACE GETAWAY

1055 GULF OF MEXICO DR #205 | OFFERED AT $1,745,000 Expertly renovated 2 bed/2 bath with tumbled marble flooring, raised ceiling, quartz counters, impact windwows, top of the line appliances and direct azure water views from almost every room.

MLS# A4571524

210 SANDS POINT RD #2304 | $1,050,000

I A N A DDY, PA

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

Key to Idalia?

Preparation Business owners took steps to prep for Idalia’s threat and avoided widespread damage.

PETRA RIVERA STAFF WRITER

B

are sidewalks, empty parking spots and few cars.

That was the atmosphere on St. Armands Circle the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 29, with Hurricane Idalia approaching the Gulf Coast.

Sandbags laid in front of windows and doors. Cafe L’Europe and Shore boarded up their windows.

“I was just telling my family that all the tables and chairs are gone,” said Liliane Kaufman. “The Circle is empty. It’s eerie. I don’t know what to expect. I am hoping for the least possible damage.”

The few people remaining on St. Armands and Longboat were mostly business owners and people readying to leave the island because of the evacuation orders Manatee and Sarasota counties issued for the entire Key that same morning.

A handful of people went to Lido Beach in the morning and were in the water.

Kelley Villela said she wasn’t here

for the last hurricane, but she wanted to soak up the beach before she would be in the house for the next couple days. She also pointed to the number of people coming out to Lido to surf and who would probably be there until around 1 p.m.

John Holcomb was filling up his gas tank on his way out of Longboat.

“Anytime they tell me to leave, I leave. We have some people who stayed for Hurricane Ian, and they told me the whole building was like moving. They said, ‘We’re not staying again.’”

The Sarasota Sailing Squadron saw many boats taken home that day.

“It’s been my opinion that I didn’t think it’s gonna be that bad,” said Bill Ferris, a member of Sarasota Sailing Squadron. “And I still believe that.

It seems to be going north. But you know what? What are you gonna do?

You can’t change nature. You just have to be super prepared for these things and that’s what we are doing.”

WATER CAN BE CLEANED

Ferris was proved right. The Circle was flooded, which caused some water damage, but overall, business owners were relieved with how things turned out. This was thanks to the extensive preparations done.

Businesses on St. Armands Circle spent the morning of Aug. 31 assess-

Petra Rivera

Burak Sunani, Jonathan Zambella (standing), Rafael Niccio and Jose Vaquez of Venezia Italian Restaurant

ing the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia. The flood was different for every business depending on if it was on high ground or not.

“This was definitely much more water than Hurricane Ian,” said Becki Westbrook from Gauthier Salon and Wellness Spa. “We had more trees fall down and wind with Ian. But I heard that the king tide and blue moon together made this surge worse.”

Most shops reopened to the public in the morning after cleaning and drying their businesses. They put their outdoor furniture back out and cleaned the sidewalks.

It was a team effort to get everything back to normal. Some places such as Cafe L’Europe hired restoration specialists to make the process easier.

All businesses on the Circle were

up and running by Sept. 1 and ready for Labor Day weekend.

“Water can be cleaned,” said Rachel Burns from the St. Armands Circle Association. “That’s why when I was messaging and talking to merchants from the area, everybody was just so thankful because from what we could see it was just water.”

All are welcome at All Angels no exceptions • In-person worship service Sunday at 10 a.m.

• Live-stream at AllAngelsLBK.org to participate on-line • Discussion Groups on Tue & Wed at 10 a.m.

ERS’ EXPECTATIONS GBOAT KEY Sellers’Expectationson Longboat Key Exceeding

Growing in Jesus’ Name

New Listing

Visitors Welcome Visitors & & Residents Residents Welcome

...AND UNDER CONTRACT

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

2326 HARBOUR OAKS DR.

6400 Gulf of Mexico Dr. • 941.383.8833 (office) • www.christchurchoflbk.org

porches ...AND and 2326balconies HARBOUR OAKS DR. VACANT LAND LISTING 3 BR | 2.5 BA | 2,282 SF $3,400,000 UNDER CONTRACT $1,225,000 | MLS# A4550092 Residential MLS# Updated A4534178 Golf Course Villas in Bay Isles’ Harbour Oaks Two Totally 2326 HARBOUR OAKS DR. Vacant Land MLS# A4535177 ...AND 3 BR | 2.5 BA | 2,282 SF Pending Pending BUILD YOUR

JUST LISTED

DREAMHOME!

540 HARBOR COVE CIRCLE

VACANT LANDYOUR LISTING BUILD $3,400,000 DREAMHOME! Residential MLS# A4534178

UNDER CONTRACT 2326 HARBOUR OAKS DR.

An Ecumenical Church that Welcomes all People Founded in 1956

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.

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

Follow us on Facebook • www.longboatislandchapel.org

406825-1

Charming Canal Front Key West Style Home ON LONGBOAT KEY • Custom-built home in private • Open main living area with 793 Jungle Queen Way EXPECTATIONS natural setting SELLERS’ hardwood flooring and 22 ft 4BUILD BR | 3 BA | 2,688 SF EXCEEDING YOUR • HurricaneJUST impact windows/ ceilings $ 2,300,000 | MLS# A4575835 LISTED DREAMHOME! doors, Hardi board/concrete • Large enclosure with heated LONGBOAT KEY blockON construction and metal pool and spa ...AND roof • Private dock will allow small JUST LISTED UNDER CONTRACT 540 HARBOR COVE CIRCLE • Extensive wrap around boat and kayak launch

$1,225,000 | MLS# A4550092

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

3 BR | 2.5 BA | 2,282 SFSELLERS’ EXPECTATIONS EXCEEDING $1,225,000 | MLS# A4550092 EXCEEDING SELLERS’ EXPECTATIONS ON LONGBOAT KEY

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

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

JUST LISTED

LAST SIX MONTHS

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

The Lord’s Warehouse will be closed during the month of September.

3 BR | 2.5 BA | 2,282 SF $1,225,000 | MLS# A4550092

Vacant Land MLS# A4535177

540 HARBOR COVE CIRCLE BUILD YOUR

DREAMHOME!

Residential MLS# A4534178Dr. #903 2217 Harbourside Dr. #302OAKS CIR. 2123 Harbourside 2341 HARBOUR 3555 FAIR OAKS LANE 540 HARBOR COVE CIRCLE Vacant Land 3 BR | 3 BA | 2,448 SF 3 BRMLS# | 3 BAA4535177 | 2,224 SF SOLD FOR $1,275,000 SOLD FOR $2,300,000 VACANT LAND LISTING $1,399,000 | MLS#A4571571 $1,000,000 | MLS# A4576889 $3,400,000 2101kitchen HARBOURSIDE DRIVE LANE lanai with panoramic • Gourmet includes Viking gas stove/580 BIRDIE • Oversized screenA4534178 Residential MLS# SOLD FOR $1,310,000 SOLD FOR $4,260,000 appliances window overlooking LBK Club golf course Vacant Land MLS# A4535177 • Large den/bonus room on main floor • Open floor plan for main living areas • Hurricane impact windows and doors • Updated kitchen with quartz countertops 2341 HARBOUR CIR. 3555 FAIR OAKS LANE • Heated saltwaterOAKS pool with PebbleTec finish • Hurricane impact windows and doors

SOLD FOR $1,275,000

SOLD FOR $2,300,000 HOMERECENT SALES IN LAST SIX MONTHS SALES

Sea Gate Club | 2425ST. Gulf of Mexico Dr. #2E | $ 1,300,000 BEVERLY HILAIRE

818.416.2505

Longtime of Longboat Key with over 30 years of 941.780.6001 boat Key with overresidents 30 years of JulieKlick@michaelsaunders.com combined experience specializing in Longboat Key real estate. zing in Longboat KeyLivingonLongboat.com real estate.

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

Beverly St. Hilaire

BeverlySellsSarasota.com 818.416.2505

61 S. Boulevard of the Presidents | Sarasota, FL 34236 | 941.388.4447 | www.michaelsaunders.com beverlysthilaire@michaelsaunders.com JulieKlick@michaelsaunders.com 61 S. Boulevard of the Presidents | Sarasota, FL 34236 | 914.388.4447 | MichaelSaunders.com BeverlySellsSarasota.com LivingonLongboat.com

941.780.6001

34236 Longtime | 941.388.4447 | www.michaelsaunders.com residents of Longboat Key with over 30 years of

406988-1

818.416.2505 BEVERLY ST. HILAIRE BeverlyStHilaire@michaelsaunders.com

JULIE KLICK

All Are Welcome!

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

2101 HARBOURSIDE DRIVE 580 BIRDIE LANE BEVERLY ST. HILAIRE SOLD FOR $1,310,000 SOLD FOR Longtime residents of Longboat Key$4,260,000 with over 818.416.2505 941.780.6001 beverlysthilaire@michaelsaunders.com 30 years of combined experience specializing beverlysthilaire@michaelsaunders.com JulieKlick@michaelsaunders.com BeverlySellsSarasota.com BeverlySellsSarasota.com LivingonLongboat.com in Longboat Key real estate.

Julie Klick JULIE KLICK

941.780.6001

Sunday Coffee Hour at 9:00am

40 North Adams Dr., Sarasota, FL • 941.388.1234 • Questions? Contact: michael@saklc.com

2101 HARBOURSIDE DRIVE 580 BIRDIE LANE L’Elegance | 1800 Benjamin Franklin Dr. #B206 | $ 2,850,000 Bay Isles | 2339 Harbour Oaks Dr. | $ 1,200,000 2341 HARBOUR OAKS CIR. 3555 FAIR OAKS LANE Tangerine | 340 Gulf of Mexico Dr. #135 | $ 2,100,000 Bay$4,260,000 Isles | 2373 Harbour Oaks Dr. | $ 1,125,000 SOLD FORBay $1,310,000 SOLD FOR SOLD FOR $1,275,000 SOLDClub FOR Bay Isles | 2369 Harbour Oaks Dr. | $ 1,350,000 Privateer South | 1000 Longboat Rd $2,300,000 #604 | $ 1,050,000

JULIE KLICK

Sundays at 10:00am

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HOME SALES IN LAST SIX MONTHS

Summer Worship

BEVERLY ST. HILAIRE

818.416.2505

567 Bay Isles Rd, Longboat Key, FL

941-383-3428

longboatkeytemple.org

406949-1

580 BIRDIE LANE VACANT LAND LISTING SALES IN LAST $3,400,000 SIX MONTHS SOLD HOME FOR $4,260,000

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

21

THE ACKERMAN GROUP 941.387.1820 TOP PRODUCING SMALL TEAM IN SARASOTA COUNTY

www.ackermansrq.com

RYAN ACKERMAN

ryan@ackermangroup.net

W

barbara@ackermangroup.net

ACTIVE LISTINGS NEW LISTING

NEW LISTING NE

BARBARA ACKERMAN

ICE

PR

GRAND BAY I - LONGBOAT KEY

$2,399,000

3060 GRAND BAY BLVD. #126 | 3 FULL BR/3.5BA | 2,925 SF Protected | 2 Side-by-Side Parking Spaces with EV Charging Station WATER CLUB ISouth Side Location in Bldg. I | 10 FT Ceilings $3,495,000 THE SEA BREEZE Open Kitchen & Views Spanning Over the LBKC Golf Course, Sarasota Bay & Downtown | Pet-Friendly 9008 MIDNIGHT PASSSkyline RD., #5 SARASOTA, FL Community 1241 GULF OF MEXICO DR., #704, LONGBOAT KEY, FL

$3,199,000

3BR/3.5 BA • 3,700 SF • Private 2-Car Garage

3BR/4BA • 3,045 SF

Breathtaking sunset views over the Gulf of Mexico from this 7th floor residence with two terraces.

Rare 2-story Penthouse with a private roof-top terrace on Siesta Key with private elevator access, deeded boat slip, hurricane rated windows and sliders, and oversized private 2-car garage.

THE SEA BREEZE - SIESTA KEY

9008 MIDNIGHT PASS RD., #5 | 3BR/3.5 BA | 3,700 SF Private 2-Car Garage & Roof Top Terrace | Long Water Views & Spectacular Nightly Sunsets on the Horizon Unique Full-Floor Penthouse | 10 FT Ceilings | 2 New A/C Units | Deeded Boat Dock LA BELLASARA

$4,289,000

464 GOLDEN GATE PT.,T#503 ING , SARASOTA, FL

LIS 3BR/4.5 BA • 3,490 SF • 2-Car Garage EW N Rarely available 5th floor residence offering expansive bay and city views, an open floor plan & full concierge services in a gated, pet-friendly community.

NOW PENDING

NOW PENDING

$2,900,000

SIESTA COVE

$4,250,000

5212 SIESTA COVE DRIVE, SARASOTA

5BR/6 BA + 2 Half Baths • 5,133 SF • Situated on 1.5 lots

Spacious, beautifully landscaped 2-story waterfront point property on a clu-de-sace, with a 120’ boat dock & 10,000 lb. lift. Exceptional open water views.

NOW PENDING

NOW PENDING

GRAND BAY II - LONGBOAT KEY

$2,495,000

3040 GRAND BAY BLVD. #221 | 3BR/3.5BA | 2,925 SF Furnished | 2 Garage Parking Spaces | Beautiful Bay & City Skyline Views | Wraparound Terrace | 10 FT Ceilings | Open Kitchen Resort-Style Amenities | Pet Friendly Community | Includes Private Beach Club Membership $1,260,000 COREY’S LANDING

AQUARIUS CLUB

1701 GULF OF MEXICO DR. #207, LONGBOAT KEY 2BR/2BA • 1,551 SF • St. Regis Membership

$1,899,000

3414 FAIR OAKS LANE, LONGBOAT KEY 4BR/4BA • 3,729 SF • Bay, Golf Course views

LA BELLASARA

$3.395,000 LIDO REGENCY

464 GOLDEN GATE PT., #202, SARASOTA

NEW CONSTRUCTION

3BR+DEN/3.5BA • 3,153 SF • 2-Car garage

$549,000

1700 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN DR.#5F, SARASOTA

1BR/1.5BA • 981 SF • Bay and city views

CONFUSED ABOUT NEW CONSTRUCTION OPTIONS?

DEMYSTIFY THE EXPERIENCE — CALL THE ACKERMAN GROUP! 941-387-1820

PRE-CONSTRUCTION

PENINSULA GATE POINT THE GOLDEN EDGE PENINSULA SARASOTA

hotel, 35 spacious SOTA Set privately above the THE EVOLUTION residences city livingGate withPoint the 111 Golden 290 Cocoanut Avenue 1703 Main Street pair stylish 223 Golden Gate Point Construction is underway on Golden Gate Sarasota,An FLiconic 34236 modern Sarasota, FL 34236 Sarasota, FL 34236 Sarasota, FL 34236 luxury of serviced simplicity.

Point as the Gault Family Companies Completion: Summer 2025 Completion: Fall 2023 Completion: Spring 2026 Completion: Spring 2026 design by the renowned Hoyt Architects of Sarasota is paired with innovative interiors by the visionary firm Andre Kikoski Architect from New York City. Flow-through residences feature airy, light-filled interiors and spacious terraces overlooking the downtown skyline and streetscape below. Residences from $1.8 million.

THE COLLECTION 1355 2nd Street Sarasota, FL 34236 Completion: Winter 2023

has officially broken ground on Peninsula Sarasota, a 23-unit luxury condominium development at 223 and 283 Golden Gate Point. Units in the two mid-rise towers are priced from $2.6 million. The three-bedroom floor plans, and three-bedroom with den floor plans range from 2,400 to more than 3,000 square feet.

ROSEWOOD - LIDO KEY

This 65-unit property is a collaboration between

THE DEMARCAY 688 GOLDEN GATE PT Hotels & Resorts & Naples33 Rosewood S. Palm Avenue 688 Golden Gate Point Sarasota, 34236 FL 34236 based FL Ronto Group, & isSarasota, Rosewood’s first Completion:: Fall 2023 Completion: TBD all-residential development. Scheduled for

completion in 2025. Situated on 3.5 miles of Gulf-front property. Swedroe Architecture, with interiors by Lillian Wu Studio. Each condo will offer sweeping water views; on the ground floor, residents will have access to Rosewoodserviced amenities. Units range from 3,300 5,000 SF & prices start in the high $5 millions.

EN POINTE ZAHRADA 2 ROSEWOOD RESIDENCES ONE PARK SARASOTA 509 Golden Gate Point 1546 4th Street 1100 Blvd. of the Arts 1100 Blvd. of the Arts Sarasota, FL 34236 Sarasota, FL 34236 Sarasota, FL 34236 Sarasota, FL 34236 ST.Fall ARMANDS OFFICE LOCATION | 433 JOHNCompletion: RINGLING BLVD., STE. F | SARASOTA, FL 34236 Completion: Winter 2024 Fall 2025 Completion: Fall 2026 Completion: 2026

VILLA BALLADA 430 Kumquat Court Sarasota, FL 34236 Completion:: Fall 2025

406026-1

SOTA RESIDENCES & HOTEL

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

Turning

Your Dreams

Labor Day celebration dedication

into an ADDRESS

It was all smiles for the long weekend at Longboat Island Chapel.

After their Sunday 10 a.m. service, chapel members were invited to enjoy each other’s company to celebrate Labor Day on Sept. 3.

This brunch was dedicated to Helen Schaefer, a beloved member of the chapel and a committed office volunteer, who recently died.

Val Evanko, chapel event chair, hosted the event. She decorated with American colors, as well as putting different tools on the tables representing different jobs in the workforce. To make it an interactive event, she made a trivia game based on the history of the holiday.

Most chapel members said their favorite part of these events, other than the community, is the food.

Chef David Stone did not disappoint. He served French toast, eggs Benedict, bacon and fruit.

Every member was smiling thanks to Stone’s food and mimosas and the laughs they were sharing around their tables.

On the way out, Evanko and Karen Pashkow were already tossing out ideas for their next party.

1145 Gulf of Mexico Dr #505

3BD | 2BA | 1,819 SqFt | Direct Beachfront | New Impact Windows | $2,500,000

1115 Gulf of Mexico Dr #305

3BD | 2BA | 1,819 SqFt | Gorgeous views of the reflection pond | $1,399,000

Photos by Petra Rivera

Bruce Schaefer and Jean Hanna take in the food selections at the Labor Day brunch.

— PETRA RIVERA Dia Wilson and Elizabeth Nichols

1764 Oak Lakes Dr

4BD | 3.5BA | 3,342 SqFtLake views | Office and Bonus Room | $1,274,000

READY TO BUY OR SELL?

Anne Summers, Val Evanko, Sandra Johnson, Karen Pashkow, Vickie Van Meier, David Stone and Lois Shuck

Maggie Hicks, Coldwell Banker maggiehicks201@gmail.com 941.321.1759

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate 201 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Ste. 1 • Longboat Key, FL 34228

DEDICATED TO LUXURY REAL ESTATE Owned and operated by NRT, LLC

407132-1

Maggie has been a realtor for 30+ years and focuses on luxury residential real estate in South Florida.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

Reid MuRphy PResents

Luxury

23

WATER

on the

LONGBOAT KEY MAGNIFICENT GULF FRONT ESTATE $ 22,000,000

Completion September 2023. New 5BD/8BA w/100ft frontage on pristine walking beach.

Expansive views from interior living space plus pocket sliders open to lanai/pool and outdoor sitting area for indoor/outdoor living. Exquisite finishes include fireplace, chef’s kitchen, glass wine room and service bar. First level master w/private lanai plus junior suite and 2 guest suites also have private terraces. Covered outdoor space has fireplace, outdoor kitchen & dining area. Dramatic infinity pool/spa w/ sundeck overlooks beautiful Gulf waters. 3 car garage.

Home elevator.

NEW LISTING

LONGBOAT KEY BAY ISLES HARBOR $ 9,850,000

Spacious 5BD/7BA 6,556sf custom home stunningly remodeled in 2022. Move-in ready. Large corner lot on bayou with stunning views down waterway to Sarasota Bay.10,000 lb. boat lift, saltwater pool. Remodel included all new custom finishes including painting, hardwood floors, lighting, hardware, countertops and designer upgrades. First floor master retreat has a sitting room and elaborate master bath. Pool lanai with fireplace, tv, outdoor kitchen and grill. Air conditioned 4 car garage. Behind security gates manned 24/7.

LONGBOAT KEY EN PROVENCE 4,935,000

$

Spectacular 3BD/ 4BA 3,400sf open plan w/10’ ceilings & Gulf-side wrap around terraces. One of 21 in meticulously maintained Gulf front gated community w/ Gulf-side pool & spa. Conveniently located mid-key.

LONGBOAT KEY

1,995,000 $ 1,995,000

• CANAL LOT#1 • CANAL LOT#2

$

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.

PENDING

LONGBOAT KEY BOATERS DREAM 2,850,000

$

Meticulous 4 BD/3 BA wide deep water canal with direct access to Sarasota Bay no bridges! Great dock. 2 boat lifts. Private beach access directly across the street.

SOLD

LONGBOAT KEY WATER CLUB 3,750,000

LONGBOAT KEY L’AMBIENCE 3,650,000

$

$

Incredible 5BR/4BA home on 80’ of beachfront. Amazing views. Open living w/ guest quarters on 1st & 2nd level + 3rd level private master-suite. Amazing views & beautiful walking beach.

Spectacular 6th floor 3BR/4BA redesigned Dover plan. High-end finishes include private elevator. Floor to ceiling windows provide views of Sarasota Bay & city skyline, plus Gulf vistas from a master-suite terrace. Luxurious living on the beach w/ all resort style amenities.

This spacious walkout lives like a home directly on the beach with private steps from your beach front terrace to the sandy beach and Gulf of Mexico for enjoyment of beach walking and swimming.

Amenities include lobby concierge, 24hr guarded gate, olympic sized pool, 2 hartru tennis courts, fitness center & more.

BUYING OR SELLING

CALL REID

for a successful real estate experience!

941.232.3304

DEVELOPERS REALTY LBK, INC. | LIC. REAL ESTATE BROKER

REIDMURPHY.COM

407399-1

LONGBOAT KEY GULF FRONT 7,250,000

$

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

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VIVA OBSERVER: Chris and Lorraine Klein took the Longboat Observer to Madrid, Spain.

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

25

REAL ESTATE BY A REAL EXPERT NO REALTOR HAS EVER LISTED OR SOLD MORE LONGBOAT KEY PROPERTIES

SCAN FOR MORE

JUST LISTED - LIDO SHORES • 1130 CENTER PLACE • SARASOTA, FL • $2,400,000 SITUATED IN THE ICONIC SARASOTA SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE ENCLAVE • 13,000 SQ. FT. +/- Lot

SCAN FOR MORE

SCAN FOR MORE

L’ AMBIANCE • 435 L’AMBIANCE DR., #K905 • LONGBOAT KEY• $3,995,000 Over 2,800 SF • 2 Parking spaces • Gulf, bay & golf course views

QUEENS HARBOUR • 3590 FAIR OAKS LANE • LONGBOAT KEY, • $2,695,000 New Roof • Waterfront • 4BR/3.5BA • Private guest suite • Quick access to open water

SCAN FOR MORE

SCAN FOR MORE

BEACHPLACE • 1045 GULF OF MEXICO DR., #9-501 • LONGBOAT KEY • $1,425,000 Furnished 2BR/2BA • Direct Gulf front

SCAN FOR MORE

COUNTRY CLUB SHORES • 510 CHIPPING LANE • LONGBOAT KEY • $1,795,000 New seawall just completed. • 3BR/2BA, • Fantastic opportunity

SCAN FOR MORE

LONGBEACH • 7105 GULF OF MEXICO DR., #11 • LONGBOAT KEY, FL • $995,000 Furnished • 2BR/2BA,• Updated • First level

GRAND BAY V • 3080 GRAND BAY BLVD., #532 • LONGBOAT KEY, FL • $899,000 2BR/2BA • Views of the golf course, and Sarasota Bay

PENDING SALES

BIRD KEY 632 MOURNING DOVE DRIVE NOW PENDING $2,895,000

WATER CLUB 1241 GULF OF MEXICO DR., #201 NOW PENDING $6,495,000

SEA GATE CLUB 2425 GULF OF MEXICO DR., #6A NOW PENDING $1,795.000

BAYPORT BEACH & TENNIS CLUB 516 BAYPORT WAY NOW PENDING $1,275.000

OVER $85 MILLION PENDING AND SOLD 2023 OVER $97 MILLION SOLD IN 2022 • OVER $134 MILLION SOLD IN 2021

Bruce Myer

Realtor ®

Bruce@BruceMyer.com • www.BruceMyer.com

595 BAY ISLES ROAD, SUITE 250 LONGBOAT KEY, FL 34228

401505-1

941.376.5311

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 511 Bayview Drive 4 Beds 5 Baths 3,353 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4562528 $6,500,000

LONGBOAT KEY 781 Hideaway Bay Drive 4 Beds 4 Baths 5,469 Sq. Ft. Mark J Baron 631-800-1125 A4554268 $4,995,000

SARASOTA The Ritz-Carlton Tower Residences 1002 4 Beds 4 Baths 3,751 Sq. Ft. Beth Afflebach & Joan Dickinson 941-914-0496 A4562409 $3,795,000

SARASOTA The Ritz-Carlton Tower Residences, 701 3 Beds 3 Baths 3,751 Sq. Ft. Beth Afflebach & Joan Dickinson 941-914-0496 A4552951 $3,500,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 515 Bayview Drive 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,928 Sq. Ft. James Sauter & Randee Long 941-999-8901 A4569730 $3,499,950

LONGBOAT KEY 7094 Longboat Drive E 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,916 Sq. Ft. Linda Driggs 941-374-2920 A4576834 $3,200,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 300 23rd Street N 5 Beds 4/1 Baths 2,314 Sq. Ft. Anita Jones 724-989-4824 A4575286 $3,100,000

SARASOTA 401 S Palm Avenue 301 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,172 Sq. Ft. Bibi-Ann Allard PA 941-685-0422 A4579421 $3,100,000

LONGBOAT KEY 3010 Grand Bay Boulevard 493 2 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,550 Sq. Ft. Michael Nink, Pa & Sandi Layfield 941-914-2805 A4566091 $2,877,777

SARASOTA 988 Blvd Of The Arts 1117 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,315 Sq. Ft. Lenore Treiman 941-356-9642 A4575774 $2,800,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 703 S Bay Boulevard 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,593 Sq. Ft. Ken Kavanaugh, Jr & Kathy Harman 941-799-1943 A4561515 $2,675,000

SARASOTA 340 S Palm Avenue 53 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,437 Sq. Ft. Bibi-Ann Allard PA 941-685-0422 A4578396 $2,675,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 303 68th Street 4 Beds 3 Baths 1,729 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4578683 $2,500,000

LONGBOAT KEY 545 Sanctuary Drive B406 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,375 Sq. Ft. Ian Addy, PA & Gail Wittig, LLC 941-961-8850 A4576305 $2,475,000

LONGBOAT KEY 455 Longboat Club Road 307 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,410 Sq. Ft. Mark J Baron 631-800-1125 A4563162 $2,395,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 101 66th Street 1 3 Beds 3 Baths 1,627 Sq. Ft. Ken Kavanaugh, Jr & Kathy Harman 941-799-1943 A4574636 $2,200,000

LONGBOAT KEY 3605 Fair Oaks Place 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,713 Sq. Ft. Ian Addy, PA & Gail Wittig, LLC 941-961-8850 A4578278 $2,200,000

LONGBOAT KEY 1211 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 601 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,100 Sq. Ft. The Walter Group 941-809-0907 A4566219 $1,995,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 215 65th Street 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,184 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4562386 $1,980,000

LONGBOAT KEY 1055 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 205 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,503 Sq. Ft. Ian Addy, PA & Gail Wittig, LLC 941-961-8850 A4571524 $1,795,000

SARASOTA 446 Burns Court 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,313 Sq. Ft. Susan Katanic 941-400-0601 A4567393 $1,595,000

SARASOTA 1350 Main Street 904 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,336 Sq. Ft. Kim Ogilvie 941-376-1717 A4578199 $995,000

LONGBOAT KEY 834 Bayport Way 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,601 Sq. Ft. Tryla Brown Larson 941-962-1122 A4569643 $972,500

LONGBOAT KEY 525 Channel Lane 2 Beds 2 Baths 988 Sq. Ft. Tryla Brown Larson 941-962-1122 A4578209 $750,000

LONGBOAT KEY 4320 Falmouth Drive B102 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,072 Sq. Ft. Malihe Karimi 941-376-5099 A4554376 $564,000

LONGBOAT KEY 876 Tarawitt Drive 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,894 Sq. Ft. Brian Loebker & Jonathan Abrams 941-735-4393 A4564430 $5,972,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 793 N Shore Drive 4 Beds 3 Baths 3,102 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4574148 $5,850,000

LONGBOAT KEY 648 Bayview Drive 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 4,157 Sq. Ft. The Walter Group 941-232-2000 A4567089 $5,000,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM 406110-1

26

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

AUGUST 21-25

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in Tramonto Estates tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.

Todd Lee Borck, trustee, of Winter Park, sold the home at 6877 Gulf of Mexico Drive to 6877 Gulf of Mexico LLC for $9.45 million. Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,820 square feet of living area.

It sold for $4.8 million in 2021.

REAL ESTATE

Tramonto Estates home tops sales at $9.45 million

27

LONGBEACH

George and Ellen Featherstone, of Sarasota, sold their home at 718 Linley St. to Franklin Keith Ekenseair and Tammy Lisko, of Longboat Key, for $2,925,000. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,101 square feet of living area. It sold for $710,000 in 2013.

Photos courtesy of David Liberatore

Todd Lee Borck, trustee, of Winter Park, sold the home at 6877 Gulf of Mexico Drive to 6877 Gulf of Mexico LLC for $9.45 million.

COUNTRY CLUB SHORES

Daniel Lee Duenkel and Alexandra Marie Duenkel, of Longboat Key, sold their home at 595 Bowsprit Lane to Bernard and Paula Ilkhanoff, of Lititz, Pennsylvania, for $2,875,000. Built in 1966, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,550 square feet of living area.

It sold for $2.35 million in 2021.

TIFFANY PLAZA

Wesley James Begg, of Ontario, Canada, sold the Unit 305 condominium at 4325 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Benjamin Goldman and Sara Brownstein Goldman, of Locust Valley, New York, for $927,000. Built in 1975, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,336 square feet of living area. It sold for $297,000 in 2017.

In with the new

WINDWARD BAY

Michael Summers, of Winter Haven, sold his Unit 1-V-11-C condominium at 4710 Gulf of Mexico Drive to William Hall, of St. Augustine, for $400,000. Built in 1974, it has one bedroom, one bath and 812 square feet of living area. It sold for $215,000 in 2017.

NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Downtown St. Petersburg

TOP BUILDING PERMITS These are the largest city of Sarasota and Sarasota County building permits issued for the week of Aug. 25-31, in order of dollar amounts.

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

LONGBOAT KEY

SOLD OUT

Address

Permit

Applicant

Amount

531 Edlee Lane

Swimming Pool

Christopher Laurent

$100,000

1125 Gulf Of Mexico Drive

Windows/Door

Manuel Santiago

$58,506

629 Kingfisher Lane

New Construction

Francisco Family Trust

$48,355

6525 Gulf Of Mexico Drive

Electrical - Other

John Rayis

$45,977

70 Lighthouse Point Drive

Plumbing

Stephen Buffington

$36,850

/Spa #504

Longboat Key

Alt/Renovation 366 Firehouse Lane

Alt/Renovation

Baldo Carnecchia

$34,877

3150 Bayou Sound

Re-roof

Douglas Tibbetts

$27,000

630 Companion Way

Electrical

Thomas Wienholt

$25,000

Thomas Eslinger

$13,784 $12,912

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

New Construction 4825 Gulf Of Mexico Drive

Plumbing

Unit 603

Alt/Renovation

1109 Gulf Of Mexico Drive

A/C Change Out

Beachplace Association Inc

A/C Change Out

A/C Change Out

James Edwards

$10,851

691 Binnacle Point Drive

Electrical - Other

Thomas Blakely

$10,400

3235 Gulf Of Mexico Drive

A/C Change Out

Reitenbach Living Trust

$9,898

Sue Ellen Korach

$9,523

Downtown Sarasota

#A401

596 Outrigger Lane

Alt/Renovation

Family Trust

Mechanical

Michael Ellis

$9,400

Maura Johnson

$8,000

Barbara Statton (TTEE)

$7,892

6437 LBK LLC

$7,600

Alt/Renovation 1241 Gulf Of Mexico Drive

Plumbing

#402

Alt/Renovation

3155 Gulf Of Mexico Drive

Mechanical

#210

A/C Change Out

6437 Gulf Of Mexico Drive

Mechanical Alt/Renovation

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

mscdeveloperservices.com | 844.591.4333 | Sarasota, Florida Prices as of December 2022

Source: Sarasota County, city of Sarasota

Licensed Real Estate Broker

406134-1

535 Sanctuary Drive # B505 Plumbing

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

seitreporp esitrepxe stluser

YRANIDEXTRAORDINARY ROAEXTRAORDINARY RTXE

YourObserver.com

properties expertise results

UNRIVALED UNRIVALED

DELAVIRNU

Certified Residential Specialist LBroker-Associate ANOITPECXE

YOUR CALENDAR

t silaicep S lai tn edis eR defi it reC e t a i c o s s A - r ek o r B EXCEPTIONAL

EXCEPTIONAL

941.928.3559

9553.829.149

MichaelMoulton@michaelsaunders.com moc.srednuasleahcim@notluoMle ahcMichaelMoulton@michaelsaunders.com iM G DIN N E P

LD SO

845 LongboatevClub 65 Lighthouse dPoint irD tRoad nioP esuohthgiL 56 aoR bDrive ulC taobgnoL 548 Regis 19,300 SF | A4440615 0845 0 0,Longboat 59|7$19,750,000 ,3$ |Club 181Road 834 4|ARegent | FS 3Court 39,4 4,933 SF |St.A4438181 0 0 0Residences ,057|,9$3,795,000 1$ #201 | 516| 0New 4 4 4Construction A | FS 0 03,91 19,300sf | 140’ on the Gulf | $16,500,000 LD SO

11,000sf | Longboat Gulf Front | $21,244,000

LD SO

SATURDAY, SEPT. 9

INTERNATIONAL OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL 3-5:30 p.m. matinee or 7-9:30 p.m. at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway. $12 for Mote members; $15 for nonmembers. View a selection of imaginative, inspiring and award-winning films presented in partnership with the International Ocean Film Festival. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the showing and concessions will be available for purchase. Both showings take place in the WAVE Center attached to Mote Aquarium. Buy tickets online at Mote.org/events.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 9

EXOTIC CARS ON THE CIRCLE 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Armands Circle Park, 1 St. Armands Circle. View exotic supercars during this free event. All proceeds benefit Flight to the North Pole, a charity that provides financial and emotional support to terminally ill children and their families in Sarasota and Manatee counties. For more information, call Joe Gliksman at 863-8601053.

RECURRING EVENTS MONDAYS

STRETCH AND STRENGTHEN From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Mostly seated and great for all fitness levels. Focus is on strength training and flexibility for balance. Suzy Brenner leads the class. Fee is $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

Water Club #401 501 Halyard Lane enaL draylaH 105 104 # bulC retaW 70 Lighthouse Water 3,400 SF | A4421764 SF | A4448464 0 0 0,|5$2,575,000 99,1Point $ | 4Drive 64 8 4| 4Gated 4A | Community FS 043,2,340 2 0 0 0,5|Club 7$1,995,000 5 , 2#402 $ | 4| 6Longboat 7124 4AKey | FS 0 04,3

tsenif

mo|c.Longboat SEITREPORKey, P Florida SATOSARAS 40 Gulf of Mexico Dr

3,400sf | 3BR | Gulf Front | $3,850,000

finest

SARASOTAS .com of Florida a di440 rolFGulf ,yePROPERTIES KMexico taobgDr no|LLongboat | r D ocKey, ixeM fo f lu G 0 4 4

406805-1

5,474sf | 4BR | Gulf Front | $8,000,000

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS LORD’S WAREHOUSE THRIFT STORE The thrift store will be closed for the month of September. Call 383-4738.

Did you Know We Offer Gas Piping Services?

TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS

LONGBOAT LIBRARY From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesdays and Fridays. 555 Bay Isles Road. Call 383-2011.

TUESDAYS

QI GONG From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Cen-

ter, 546 Bay Isles Road. Qi gong is a mind-body-spirit practice designed to improve mental and physical health. Class is outdoors, weather permitting. Cost is $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

YOGA From 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road.

Debby 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.

Celebrating 50 YEARS of Living and Working on Longboat Key Cathy C. Meldahl, P.A. Your Longboat Key Community Realtor

• LP & Natural Gas • Installation • Repair • Inspections/Maintenance

• 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

406816-1

TF-081023-1100advp

406902-1

LIC #CFC1429635 • CPC1459826 • CAC 18118472

www.lapenseeplumbing.com 775.5622 • 401 Manatee Ave, Holmes Beach

File photo

An ERA Replicas 427 Cobra was one of many vehicles on display at the 2018 Exotic Car Festival at St. Armands.

941.724.7228

440 Gulf of Mexico Dr. Longboat Key, FL 34228

CathyMeldahl@michaelsaunders.com

A FREE EVENT!

Protecting the President on 9/11 The unknown backstory from the cockpit of Airforce One

Healthy food for a healthy community

The Commander and Pilot for Air Force One on 9/11, Col. Mark W.

Tillman, will share his experiences on that day, and in the days

Join the Autumn Harvest campaign today!

that followed, in a riveting FREE program at the Van Wezel

$ for $ match through September 30.

All gifts matched up to $100,000 thanks to an anonymous donor.

Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota.

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

The program begins at 10 a.m. and includes a

Your support ensures children and families have access to fresh fruits and vegetables this fall.

To support our produce program, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org

special tribute to our military veterans and first responders. REGISTER TODAY!

TidewellFoundation.org

399042-1

(941) 552-7569

This program is presented by Tidewell Foundation in partnership with Tidewell Honors Veterans program, and with support from a $30,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County through the Walter Haskins Fund in memory of Stacey K. Haskins, and a gift from the Eluned and Edward Russell Charitable Foundation.

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YourObserver.com

29

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

SUNRISE / SUNSET Sunrise Sunset

FRIDAY, SEPT. 8 High: 89 Low: 77 Chance of rain: 24%

Submit your photos at YourObserver. com/contests.

All submissions will be entered for the 2023-24 Weather and Nature photo contest. In February 2024, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card.

WEATHER

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST

Thursday, Sept. 7

7:12a

7:44p

Friday, Sept. 8

7:12a

7:43p

Saturday, Sept. 9

7:13a

7:42p

Sunday, Sept. 10

7:13a

7:41p

SATURDAY, SEPT. 9

Monday, Sept. 11

7:14a

7:40p

High: 88 Low: 77 Chance of rain: 19%

Tuesday, Sept. 12

7:14a

7:39p

Wednesday, Sept. 13

7:15a

7:37p

MOON PHASES SUNDAY, SEPT. 10 High: 88 Low: 77 Chance of rain: 16%

Sept. 14 New

Sept. 22 First

Sept. 29 Full

Oct. 6 Last

TIDES Highs Lows Thursday, Sept. 7

4:54a

—

—

2:40p

Friday, Sept. 8

6:05a

—

—

3:59p

Saturday, Sept. 9

7:45a

—

—

5:00p

Sunday, Sept. 10

12:32a

9:14a

3:22a

5:47p

Monday, Sept. 11

12:35a

10:18a

4:39a

6:24p

Tuesday, Sept. 12

12:45a

11:08a

5:29a

6:55p

Wednesday, Sept. 13

12:53a

11:50a

6:09a

7:20p

Jenelle Alber took this photo of the morning moon over Whitney Beach.

We have all of your luxury flooring needs carpet | hardwood | tile | stone | pavers | and more Sarasota 941.355.8437 | Bradenton 941.748.4679 | Venice 941.493.7441 | manasotaonline.com

The grounded feeling everyone will enjoy

celebrity cipher

OR THEREABOUTS by Zachary David Levy and Katie Hale, edited by Jeff Chen 123 Sch. near the U.S.-

53 “Forget it!”

Mexico border

57 Outnumbered people

124 NYT or WSJ essay

58 Burn

125 “___ Miserables”

59 Moroccan cap

126 Bicycle attachment

60 Iris location

DOWN 1 Worker safety org.

62 Like some saves and glass 63 Author Rand

2 Wasabi ___ (spicy snacks) 64 Other half of a record 3 Knowledge check 65 Hair highlighter 4 Words from one in the

67 Blouses and camisoles

know

68 Beat using one’s wits

5 CBS forensics drama

69 Banded volcanic rock

6 Nautical distress call

70 “___ arigato, Mr. Roboto”

7 Light reading?

73 Preliminary events

8 Ire

75 “Star Wars” stormtrooper

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“UXV XTDXVOU ZPLAKTLVRU UXGU NPI ZGR AGN LV TO UP OGN UXGU T CPME XGMF VSVMN FGN, UXGU T RVSVM FPD TU.”

CGNRV DMVUJEN Puzzle One Clue: K equals L

crossword

399842-1

at MANASOTA FLOORING INC

KITCHEN | CABINETRY OUTDOOR PAVERS

“W BUEAAC PUAWUKU LJEL WS CXH JEKU LJU EPWAWLC, LJUBU WI ET XPAWZELWXT LX NEOU DUXDAU AEHZJ.”

9 Fruit in Christmas pudding who goes rogue

PXP TUFJEBL

77 CPR pro

Puzzle Two Clue: N equals M

10 Fried Spanish pastry 11 “Rumor ___ ...”

78 Misery 12 First letter of the Hebrew 80 “Is this really necesalphabet sary?”

13 Word spelled out by

81 Written exam alternatives

Aretha Franklin

84 Instruct

14 Butt

85 Shout

15 Sets out for a road trip

86 ___ Paulo, Brazil

“GJEK YAHWBYR. VA OWEH FAI OEYH HA VA, CIH CJ JVILEHJV EYV BYHJZZBRJYH EYV LAYGBVJYH ECAIH BH.” BVKBP JZCE

16 Gets ready for a road trip 87 QVC competitor 17 Actress Meryl and family 88 Moonscape features 89 Experienced again

23 Hard precipitation

90 Choux pastries filled with

28 Sidestep

cream

36 “Obvi”

67 Completely vegan, in a

98 GA capital

29 Cirque du Soleil em-

92 Madrid museum with the

39 Mustard’s rank in “Clue”

way?

99 Over there, quaintly

ployees

Goya Gate

(Abbr.)

71 Aye’s opposite

100 Versatile, extravagant

32 Get 100% correct

96 Actress Sarandon

40 Words at the altar

72 Avid

gesture, in a way?

33 British Sunday fare

97 Bandy-___

41 Increase, as volume

74 Monotheism’s central

106 Actress Carrere

34 Feudal estate

42 Has cell service

tenet

107 Like rhubarb or celery

44 Wooden pin

75 Golf course warning

108 Abbas’ grp.

98 Three-time AL MVP 35 With the tags still on, say 101 Prepare a baking sheet, 36 Elicit an “Ooh, burn!” maybe

45 Words with “date” or

76 Proficient

109 Oil acronym

reaction

102 Disparaging

“speed”

77 “Gross!”

113 Musical role for Ma-

37 Feminine article, in

103 Speak one’s mind

21 Entire range

47 DHL competitor

79 Subtitle of some autobi-

donna

French

104 Arm bones

ographies

115 Sacha Baron Cohen

38 Absolutely exhausted

24 Employs

egy, in a way?

82 Buffoon

character with the catch-

52 City transport option

83 Unpolished cash, in a

phrase “Booyakasha!”

105 Some round earrings 43 Wireless credit card chip 110 Class for tots tech (Abbr.)

111 French 101 verb

54 Went perfectly with

way?

116 In a way ... and a hint to

44 Pollinator attractor

112 Group of players on

55 Canoe propeller

88 Street ___ (rep)

six additions in this puzzle

45 One side of the Ryder

stage

56 Sounds of interruption

91 Hand (out)

119 Put on again

Cup

114 Greek letter after sigma

59 Looney Tunes huntsman

93 Metal singer Snider

120 “Bro ...”

46 The “P” of mph

116 ___-El (Superman’s birth

61 Use a fork, say

94 Seasonal mall empolyees 121 Actress de Armas

49 Has a dinner party,

name)

64 Prepped for an exam

95 Conflict-of-interest action 122 Gifts on the 11th day of

perhaps

117 NYPD alert

66 December 24th or 31st

97 ___ Nas X

50 Spreadsheet input

118 “Cheap Thrills” singer

ACROSS 1 Study of light and vision 7 Conservation org. with a panda in its logo 10 Blacken a bit 14 NFL officials 18 Appear to be true 19 “7 Rings” singer, to fans 20 Healthy

22 Marijuana label, in a way? 48 Greedy courtroom strat25 Campfire remnant 26 Italian province noted for wine 27 T-Mobile competitor 28 Oven spill-catcher 30 Some keg contents 31 Church near the clubhouse, in a way?

Christmas

51 ___ Dame

Puzzle Three Clue: K equals R

©2023 Universal Uclick

21 Salami style

© 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

9-07-23

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

RED PAGES INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

Vacation/ Seasonal Rentals

redpages@yourobserver.com • yourobserver.com/redpages DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at 2PM

Garage/ Moving/ Estate Sales ESTATE SALE 9-3 SATURDAY SEPT. 9 4708 GULF DR.

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

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

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

HOLMES BEACH

BOSE MUSIC system IV, $170 OBO. 941-321-2694

Asking $250,000 -55' x 20' with only 44' two tiered finger dock allowing bow or stern in docking. Membership to Longboat Key Club is optional and not required. sadlerLjames@gmail.com, Phone or text 954-336-7936

RED PAGES AD RATES First 15 words .................. $ 17.50 per week Each Add’l word ....... 50¢

15% DISCOUNT FOR 4-WEEK RUN

Email: RedPages@ YourObserver.com

Merchandise Wanted

Motorcycles

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

OLD MOTORCYCLES WANTED *Before 1985* ALL Makes & ModelsAny Condition!

Running or Not! $Cash Paid$ Call 845-389-3239 cyclesndmore10@gmail.com

CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

DESPERATELY NEEDED Low mileage, cars and trucks.

Also rare or unusual vehicles.

Larry 941-350-7993

Room for Rent ROOM MATE wanted, furnished upscale Palm-Air CC villa. Golf course, water views. Large bedroom, private bath and own lanai. Pool, tennis/pickleball facilities. Credit / Background check. 1st mo., last, and security deposit. $1,800 Utilities included.

(941) 914-0066

SELL YOUR STUFF HERE!

Autos Wanted DOCK C-6 Longboat Key Moorings Marina For Sale

2BR/2BA LONGBOAT KEY Annual Rental PH, jaw dropping view of the Bay, completely upgraded and elegantly furnished. Fully equipped. All amenities wanted are included.

200 ft. from beach. $5,500/m plus first and last month's rent and $1,000 deposit. Available now. 407-451-7179

Sale by Julie McClure

auto

Boat Memberships for Sale

Condos/Apts. for Rent

PLACE YOUR AD: Call: 941-955-4888

SELL IT FAST! YourObserver.com/RedPages

YourObserver.com/RedPages

STUFF found here.

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

Call 941-383-3338.

Made for where you live. Here!

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

wagnerlbkrentals@gmail.com Visa/MC 5360 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Suite 101 Longboat Key, FL 34228 Rental office 9a.m. - 5p.m.

M-F Ask about our special rates!

Since 1939 www.rentalsonlongboat.com

Advertise your business or service in the Observer

Adult Care Services IN-HOME PERSONAL CARE •Meal Prep •Daily routines •Respiratory Therapy & Hospice Background •Doctor appointments 15+ yrs exp. Exc local ref.

Call Robyn: 941-685-7199

This week’s Crossword answers

RED PAGES CALL TODAY 941-955-4888

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

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

Painting Advertise your business CARLO DATTILO Painting or service&ininsured. the Observer Licensed Interior/ Exterior painting including drywall repair and retexturing.

Wallpaper installation & removal, pressure washing. Residential & commercial, condos.

Honest TODAY & reliable.

CALL Free estimates. 941-744-1020.

941-955-4888 35+ years experience.

RED PAGES

Property Management WANT TO rent your home hassle-free? You want to rent your home but can't find the right property management? Look no further. We are property owners too and understand your needs.

(646) 498-3481 www.lbkvacation.com

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “The highest compliment that you can pay me is to say that I work hard every day, that I never dog it.”

Wayne Gretzky Puzzle Two Solution: “I really believe that if you have the ability, there is an obligation to make people laugh.” Bob Newhart Puzzle Three Solution: “Fear nothing. Do what you want to do, but be educated and intelligent and confident about it.”

Idris Elba

This week’s Sudoku answers

©2023 Universal Uclick

The Red Pages is the perfect store to buy and sell locally! You’ll find a wide selection from antiques to furniture to condos!

RED PAGES

Reservations 941-383-5577

Wagner Realty

Pix: www.estatesales.net

PANINI MAKER Cuisinart, like new, stainless steel $35 (941) 920-2494

Place Your Ad Online

941-955-4888

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

peekers’ place

Items Under $200

FULLY FURNISHED: sofas, end tables, 2 king & queen bed sets, lamps, dining & dinette sets, patio items, 2 sets of china, glassware, costume jewelry, lots of accessories, silverware, luggage, 2 bikes, tools, chandelier, lady’s clothing, linens & kitchenware.

Between Houses or Condos

©2023 NEA, Inc.

48’X21’ BOAT SLIP P07, at Long Boat Key moorings FOR SALE! Slip runs north and south, and provides views of Sarasota Bay. Asking $250,000 and will consider respectful offers.

Slip does not require membership at the moorings.

PH: 941-724-9486 brent@diffley-wright.com

Autos Wanted

Beachfront, Bayfront and In

home services

stuff

Boat Slips for Rent/Sale

SEASONAL RATES

real estate

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.

TheCLEAR CRYSTAL CLEAR choice!

The CRYSTAL choice!

WEEKLY MONTHLY

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

YourObserver.com

31

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

Health

Massage

Heart & Sole Healing Space, LLC

GET YOUR LIFE BACK!

MediCupping & Massage Therapy services for healing Rest your mind & body. Connect with your spirit.

Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

Give Us a Call - We Can Help

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

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc. Building & Roofing Contractor

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

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

We have mediated divorces involving up to 10 million dollars of assets over past 27 years.

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

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

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

1/10/23, 10:25 AM

Home Watch

SELL YOUR CAR!

FIRST RESPONDER OWNED & OPERATED

BLACK LABEL CAR SERVICE

Luxury for Less

408243

Auto Service

FAST • EASY • SAFE

WE COME TO YOU

941-248-4734

Airports, Concerts, Dinners & Cruises www.towncarservicebradenton.com

10% off

Windows

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Res./Com.

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5-Star Rated

dan@shorelockhomewatch.com

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408631

HoHoBuysCars.com

Insurance

Autos Wanted

MIC INSURANCE

DESPERATELY NEEDED 409157

Low Mileage, Cars & Trucks.

Also Rare or Unusual Vehicles.

UNIQUE SPORT & IMPORTS 941-350-7993 Doors

Sliding Glass Door Repair

EXPERIENCE KNOWLEDGE SOLUTIONS

Mike Mailliard ~ Lacey Weaver Allen Hovis ~ Marshall Bruce Matthew Mailliard ~ Julia McIlrevey Haley Jestings ~ Samantha Ryan Jaimie Simpkins ~ Amanda Nazario

New Deluxe Rollers Will Make Your Doors Roll Better Than Ever Call Mark 928-2263 proslidingglassdoorrepair.com

Home • Condo • Auto • Umbrella • Boat • Flood

409260

Furniture Repair

Patio Furniture Repairs.com

ON TARGET

409256

Furniture Sales & Repairs Cushions • Slings • Re-powdercoating

FREE PICKUP / DELIVERY • FREE ONSITE QUOTES

595 Bay Isles Rd. Suite 215 941.554.8909 | www.micinsurancefl.com

OBSERVER RED PAGES

Call 941-955-4888 to reserve your ad YourObserver.com/RedPages

1/1

Lic./Ins.

& Pressure C Window lean t e s ing s a S u n n w r o i s n e k W Sun y ind erl Form Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

ows

150

25

UP TO

$

STANDARD WINDOWS

Our team of professionals provides superior service and expertise for all of your insurance needs.

“FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE”

941-504-0903

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941.270.4400

chrome_qrcode_1671726737617.png

Transportation

409258

408630

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

408243

William J. Leininger, JD

LMT, CMCE

Roofing

FREE CONSULTATION 941.358.2224

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

Chrissy Stites

408636

Divorce is never fun, but it does not have to be nasty & hateful! Protect your family relationships and assets from expensive Court litigation. Consider Divorce Mediation, the peaceful alternative.

5610 Gulf of Mexico Dr Unit 2 Longboat Key, FL 34228 941-263-3948

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

SPECIAL 00 5

$

senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

Purified water window cleaning available!!

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941- 284 - 5880

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Divorce without Lawyers

409162

Attorney

Neighborhood heroes found here.

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

Closer is better.

941-955-4888

YourObserver.com/RedPages

Insurance

SECUR-ALL INSURANCE AGENCY 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!

RED PAGES. MADE FOR WHERE YOU LIVE. HERE! TO ADVERTISE CALL 941-955-4888 OR VISIT YOUROBSERVER.COM/REDPAGES

408638

Sandra Smith | 941.383.3388

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

ROGER SELLS LUXURY WATERFRONT PROPERTIES #1 SARASOTA SINGLE AGENT

2008, 2010, 2012 - 2022

5005 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE #3

$12,000,000

A newer gem completed in 2020, this luxurious 5BR home, offered turnkey furnished, is a rare find that invites you to immediately immerse yourself in the lap of waterfront luxury. Enjoying the Gulf’s gentle waves is just the beginning of what this remarkable retreat has to offer. Crafted with precision and built by Eason Home Builders, this home seamlessly blends modern innovation with the allure of West Indies-inspired architecture. The result is a masterpiece that stands as a testament to lavish living directly on the Gulf of Mexico.

www.BonaireLBK3.com

1350 MAIN STREET #1704

1211 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE #802

$1,995,000

$5,495,000

3040 GRAND BAY BOULEVARD #251 $1,999,000

Your exclusive downtown oasis awaits. “The One at 1350 Main”, a Penthouse residence perched on the 17th floor, boasts breathtaking panoramic views of downtown, the bay, and the Gulf. Offered furnished and move-in ready!

This bayfront 5th-floor Antigua at Grand Bay offers 3,000 SF, and is ready for you to make your own.

One of the largest floor plans in the community, these true 3BRs are rare. Includes 2 covered parking spaces and additional storage.

www.TheOne1704.com

www.GrandBay251.com

816 JUNGLE QUEEN WAY

$1,599,000

1105 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE #5-404 $1,395,000

Embrace the captivating beach-to-bay views that stretch from the Gulf, the Bay, and downtown at this sunny, south-facing 8th-floor residence, offering an open and spacious interior plus two terraces.

Turnkey furnished! This lovely 3BR waterfront on Longboat Key is ready to enjoy! You will love the deeded beach access and easy boating access to Sarasota Bay.

Beautiful, lush views of the Gulf are the perfect backdrop at this true 3BR, 4thfloor residence at Beachplace. Situated in a corner location, with beach and bay terraces. Covered parking included!

www.Promenade802.com

www.816JungleQueenWay.com

www.Beachplace5404.com

201 NORTH WASHINGTON DRIVE

$2,195,000

4525 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE #404

$999,000

235 COCOANUT AVENUE #125D

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

This furnished, direct Gulf-front residence is bathed in natural light. Offering a blend of comfort and relaxation, this 4th-floor retreat is an opportunity to relish inspiring beach and sunset views from every room.

Only a few minutes from downtown Sarasota, this townhome is in a central location. You’ll feel right at home with its contemporary 2BR plus bonus room design and move-in ready condition.

www.201NorthWashington.com

www.TheCastillian404.com

www.MarqueeEnVille125D.com

$949,000

CALL TODAY FOR YOUR EXCLUSIVE TOUR (941) 387-1840 443 John Ringling Boulevard, Suite F | Sarasota, FL 34236 Pettingell.com | www.bestSarasotarealestate.net Twitter.com/RealRoger | Instagram.com/RogerPettingell | Roger@Pettingell.com The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Affiliated real estate agents are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2023 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logo are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Anywhere Advisors LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

401537-1

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