Longboat Observer 2.8.24

LONGBOAT

Condo connection

Observer

Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978

PAGE 6B

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

FREE • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

VOLUME 46, NO. 26

YOUR TOWN

TASTES AND TUNES

Longboat Key Garden Club debuts fresh spin on annual fundraiser. SEE PAGE 1B

Courtesy image

Sandra Brut-Christensen

The Main event

Spanish Main Yacht Club welcomed back its snowbirds on Jan. 27 with its annual Welcome Back Party.

About 90 residents attended the party in the clubhouse and patio. There were drinks and light bites for everyone to enjoy.

“It gives us a chance to welcome back our residents from other countries and other states,” said resident Sue Reese. “We have people that came from Norway and England. Of course, a lot of people come from up north. I think is amazing to see how many people from different places live in the same place.”

Residents were happy to be back together spending the day on the patio and gearing up for the new season on the Key. Reese said she was happy to welcome back her dear friend Sandra Brut-Christensen from Norway. They have known each other since 2010 and loved getting involved together in Spanish Main events.

Courtesy image

Gamble Creek Farms Manager Zack Rasmussen harvests bananas from the farm.

Green team delivers A local farm grows the goods for a Longboat Key restaurant — and several others in the area. SEE PAGE 3A

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BJ Bishop and Jen Ahearn-Koch Petra Rivera

Taking on Tallahassee Two Longboat Key commissioners recently took on some extra responsibilities in making the trip to Tallahassee to speak with state legislators.

From Jan. 29-31, Commissioner-At-Large BJ Bishop and District 2 Commissioner Penny Gold spent time with the Florida League of Cities for the organization’s Legislative Action Days.

“FLC Legislative Action Days allow city leaders to show a unified front at the Florida Capitol during the legislative session,” the FLC website states.

Bishop and Gold visited alongside city of Sarasota Vice Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch.

Aside from meeting with delegators, participants in the FLC Legislative Action Days were able to take tours of the Capitol, network with other elected officials and sit in on House and Senate committee meetings.

Co-chair of Taste and Tunes of the Key Lynn Hancock with Alessandro Di Ferdinando

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Courtesy image

Corvettes on The Circle has drawn as many as 175 show vehicles to St. Armands Circle.

STAY OFF LAWN

Corvettes on The Circle is canceled due to a city decision on lawn care. SEE PAGE 6A

Opening Act INSIDE

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Return on investment A check in on the town’s finances shows that the money it has in investments grew in 2023 over the previous year.

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

T

he town of Longboat Key invests in high-quality income securities to secure its financial future and fund capital projects.

Longboat Key earned a net investment income of about $3.7 million and ended 2023 with $90 million in its cash and investment portfolio (see sidebar), which means more pooled cash and investments compared to the previous year’s ending balance of roughly $85.39 million.

The town had a positive return on investment in 2023, compared to a negative unrealized loss in 2022.

Overall, the town’s net investment income for 2023 was $3,747,005. But the year before, the same report shows a net loss of $552,037.

Finance Director Sue Smith said that doesn’t mean the town was in debt or needed to pay anyone that

US Treasury

40%

Corporate

23.2%

Agency

14.3%

CMO

12.1%

ABS

7%

Supras

2022 $1,265,745 ($1,789,071) ($28,711) ($552,037)

Investment Income Unrealized Gains (losses) Investment Expenses Net Investment Income (loss)

2022 $15,980,859 $40,372,804 $19,523,143 $9,515,921 $85,392,727

1. Synovus 2. TD Weath (at market) 3. FL Prime 4. FL Class

2023 $16,179,391 $42,249,568 $17,509,133 $14,194,133 $90,132,225

A CLOSER LOOK

The town has four main funds: Synovus, TD Wealth, FL PRIME and FL CLASS. FL PRIME and FL CLASS are both investment pools for local governments.

The Synovus account is like the town’s one big checkbook. Smith said it would be difficult to manage all of the town’s 30 funds (see Where does the money go?) each with a separate checkbook.

When looking at the two charts, it’s not exactly apples to apples. And it’s not as easy as looking at one chart as a slice of a larger apple.

The town ended 2023 with a net investment income of $3.7 million.

When looking at the annual difference in the town cash and investments balances, though, the difference seems to be more.

That’s because, Smith said, the $85 million and $90 million balances are just a snapshot in time. Those numbers changed throughout the course of the year. During the year, the town would have gained money from investments, spent cash on town projects and, toward the end of the year, collected tax revenue.

That account changes daily, Smith said, as the town purchases things for the 30 different funds, like the general fund, tennis center and capital projects.

The TD Wealth account is the town’s investment portfolio, managed by Chandler Asset Management.

The account was at $40,372,804 at the end of 2022, and ended 2023 with $42,249,568.

Investments made with that money are high-quality rated and low risk. Smith said the town’s investment policy for the money focuses on safety, liquidity and rate of return.

It’s also not an account that’s trying to earn money as the market fluctuates. Whereas investing in stocks is riskier and they can be sold when they reach high values, the bonds and

0.8%

Revenues deposited into the town’s shared checkbook, Synovus, increase the fund’s equity while expenses paid decreases the account.

Investment income and expenses are shared among the 30 different funds in the Synovus account, and the amount allocated is based on the ownership equity of each fund.

For example, at the end of 2023 the general fund had $26,784,719, which was 29.58% of the $90,535,191 total pooled cash and investments. That means that 29.58% of the investment income deposited into the Synovus account would go toward the general fund.

Other fund percentages: n GMD Utilities Underground Capital Projects — 13.45% n Utilities Fund — 13.15% n Beach Capital Projects — 8.89% n Building Department Fund — 6.40%

2023 $2,653,521 $1,123,552 ($30,068) $3,747,005

The Town Cash and Investments balances at Dec. 31

BREAKDOWN OF FUNDS

2.6%

Money Mkt Fd

The Town Net Investment income for 12 months ending Dec. 31

$552,037. That loss includes unrealized losses, which were $1,789,071.

Realized gains and losses are the difference between the sale price of an investment with the current market value and its book value. The gain or loss is “realized” when it’s sold, and unrealized gains or losses are based on the current market value.

The town holds investments to maturity, so those losses weren’t realized.

HOW INVESTMENTS ARE ALLOCATED

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?

BY THE NUMBERS

securities in the town’s TD Wealth account are held to maturity.

The majority of the investments are in the U.S. Treasury (40%), the second most being in the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (13%) and the Federal Home Loan Bank (10.2%).

Reinvestments at higher interest rates, about 4.67%, resulted in higher total returns in 2023.

Average purchase yield increased this year, from 1.82% to 2.88% in the TD Wealth investments as the asset managers reinvested maturities at higher interest rate levels. This trend is expected to continue into this year, according to the annual report provided by Chandler.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

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Gamble Creek Farms uses sustainable agricultural techniques; the farms’ produce gets personal attention; GCF cultivates unusual gourds, like Seminole pumpkins; Chiles Hospitality restaurants get shipments of fresh produce each week.

FROM FARMS TO TABLES Gamble Creek Farms provides fresh organic produce for Chiles Hospitality restaurants.

CARTER WEINHOFER

PIG PARTS

STAFF WRITER

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rowse the menu at Mar Vista restaurant and you’ll see a commitment to sustainability and that some of the ingredients and sides come from a place called Gamble Creek Farms.

Those farm fresh ingredients served in many dishes at restaurants in the Chiles Hospitality group, like Mar Vista, are sourced from this 26-acre farm in Parrish with a focus on sustainable practices.

The Chiles Hospitality group includes Beach House in Bradenton Beach, Sandbar in Anna Maria, Mar Vista in Longboat Key and Anna Maria Bake House, along with the farm.

Currently, the farm fulfills a couple orders a week for the Chiles Hospitality restaurants. But when the season picks up, that load will increase, said General Manager Will Manson.

From the greenhouse to the fields, you can find yourself the makings of a good salad. Kale, Swiss chard and romaine are just some of the crops grown there. There’s also broccoli, pumpkins and edible flowers.

The farm was an orange grove for about 40 years and then became a source for sustainable community agriculture. Then, in 2013, Chiles Hospitality began leasing the farm to bring fresh produce to the associated restaurants. In 2021, the hospitality group bought the farm.

Gamble Creek Farms has earned organic certifications from orga-

Rasmussen said this soil used to be the sandy, silt soil common in Florida.

But with the help of worms and organic material from Chiles restaurants, it’s transformed after three months into a rich soil that can be used around the farm.

Yes, he’s technically holding a pile of worm castings (feces), but it’s good for the soil.

Photos by Carter Weinhofer

Crops begin as saplings in the greenhouse, safe from the outside world. Once they are ready to be planted out in the farm, the crew will set the saplings outside for a coupe days before planting. That way, the plants can get acclimated to the elements first.

nizations like the Florida Organic Growers, USDA Organic, Quality Certification Services and U.S. Green Building Council.

Under Farm Manager Zack Rasmussen, the farm implements practices that he’s proud to share while walking among the crops.

Rasmussen has been working on the farm for almost five seasons now, but he has been affiliated with

Chiles Hospitality for much longer.

He worked at the restaurants before helping to ramp up the compost program and other sustainability projects.

He also took on the challenge of helping the Chiles Hospitality restaurants grow their own herbs before becoming the farm manager.

“It just made sense,” Rasmussen said when talking about his progression to managing the farm.

And he said it with a smile — one that showed his enthusiasm to talk about Gamble Creek Farms and how the sustainable practices are a part of a bigger cycle.

CULTIVATE, CONSUME, COMPOST

What makes Gamble Creek Farms different from large-scale commercial agriculture?

For starters, Gamble Creek doesn’t use pesticides or herbicides.

To ward off bugs, one creative method Rasmussen has adopted is alternating the crops in a row. So, in a single row, there may be three or four different crops of different colors. It creates a sort of checkerboard look.

The differentiation in color and crop type tricks insects, he said.

From his anecdotes, it seems to be working.

As for weeds, Rasmussen embraces them.

“Weeds are the indicators of everything,” Rasmussen said. “The weed wouldn’t come up if it didn’t have everything it needed. The weed is going to live its life and supply all the nutrients the soil needs for that space and time.”

Keeping soil covered, with weeds or crops, is a core principle of regenerative agriculture, another practice for which Gamble Creek Farms strives.

Regenerative agriculture focuses on maintaining soil health by implementing various strategies, like keeping the soil covered. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, about 33% of the soil in the world is degraded, some of which is caused by industrial agriculture practices.

Maximizing crop diversity is a core principle in regenerative agriculture, which can be seen in Rasmus-

Rasmussen is always experimenting with new ways to improve the farm mechanics and to practice sustainability. One of his creations involves pig bones from a local hog hunter.

He said that every part of the pig is used, leaving just the bones, which are then charred.

Rasmussen then adds the bone char to a glass jar and fills the jar with vinegar. After letting that settle for about 10 days, the solution created is rich in calcium and phosphorus.

“Both of those nutrients are really hard to get in the human diet, and in the plant diet, because they’re bound up in rocks and shells,” Rasmussen said. “The whole idea is just to try to make them available.”

That solution can then be used as a sort of fertilizer throughout the farm. By adding that into the soil, it’s then absorbed by the fresh produce that is then consumed by restaurantgoers.

sen’s checkerboard crop rows, and the way he describes the farm’s crop rotations.

After harvest and delivery, the restaurants’ chefs get creative with the produce, like a pumpkin soup made from a gourd variety called Seminole pumpkins.

After the ingredients are included in restaurant dishes, the restaurants in the hospitality group collect the biowaste in a compost bin.

Even shells from oysters and clams are kept. If the shells aren’t used in the farm, Ed Chiles, owner of the hospitality group, will give them to oyster restoration projects.

Back on the farm, adjacent to one of the fields are piles of compost material. The restaurants’ compost is mixed with soil and left in piles that need to be turned periodically in a system that lasts for a few months before the now nutrient-rich soil is used for their crops.

And the cycle continues.

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

IS PERSONALIZED CARE RIGHT FOR YOU?

A rendering of a portion of Ride Entertainment’s concept for Ken Thompson Park on City Island.

Courtesy image

Attraction park proposal under study

Connecting with your doctor when you need them most is crucial.

Commissioners vote 3-2 to allow further evaluation of Ride Entertainment’s plans to develop Ken Thompson Park’s amenities.

With concierge medicine at Gulfshore Personalized Care, it’s possible to meet your medical needs anywhere at any time. Thomas Arne Jr., DO, FACC, proudly offers patient-centered care through concierge services, such as 24/7 access and same-day visits.

Call us to schedule your no-obligation meet & greet with Dr. Arne today.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

941-366-2194

417764-1

1250 S Tamiami Trail, Suite 401, Sarasota, FL 34239

TOWN OF LONGBOAT KEY NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING & HEARING ORDINANCE 2024-03 FEBRUARY 13, 2024 – 9:15 AM Please take notice that a public meeting and hearing of the Town of Longboat Key’s Planning and Zoning Board will be held to consider proposed modifications to Title 15, Land Development Code, Chapter 154, Flood Control, and Chapter 158, Zoning Code, of the Code of Ordinances of the Town of Longboat Key, as more particularly set forth in Ordinance 2024-03:

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llow a private entity to formally submit a proposal for evaluation to add attractions to a waterfront city park or wait three years to begin the community input process as part of the city’s park master plan?

That was the conundrum before the Sarasota City Commission on Monday after Jeff Koffman of Ride Entertainment presented a conceptual plan for a public-private partnership to rehabilitate Ken Thompson Park on City Island.

The idea prompted a brief discussion among commissioners clearly divided on the issue, their positions hardening during a more spirited debate during the comments portion at the end of the day’s agenda.

Koffman presented a plan to activate the park, positing that it would

bring no more traffic to the bottleneck between downtown and St. Armands and Longboat keys because of the loss of 300,000 visitors per year to the adjacent Mote Marine Aquarium, which will move to Benderson Park by the end of the year.

The addition of an included water taxi service across Sarasota Bay as part of the proposal, he said, may even reduce the volume of vehicles across the Ringling Bridge and through St. Armands and replace at least some of the business lost by local shops and restaurants with the departure of the aquarium.

THE DISCUSSION

As reported last week by the Observer, Koffman, a year-round resident of Golden Gate Point, proposed a public-private partnership concept that he said maintains 97% of the 25-acre park’s green space, adds a small waterfront restaurant, a splash pad, topiary gardens and possibly an Aerobar observation tower — all built around a centerpiece of the growing sport of park golf. All the improvements and ongoing maintenance would come at private expense while the city would retain ownership of the park.

ORDINANCE 2024-03 LONGBOAT KEY KEY, FLORIDA, AN ORDINANCE TOWN OF THEOF TOWN OF LONGBOAT AMENDING THE TOWN OF LONGBOAT KEY CODE OF ORDINANCES, NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING & HEARING TITLE 15 LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE; AMENDING CHAPTER 154, FLOOD ORDINANCE 2024-03 CONTROL; AMENDING SECTION 154.202, DEFINITIONS; AMENDING FEBRUARY 13,AND 2024STRUCTURES; – 9:15 AM AMENDING SECTION 154.301, BUILDINGS CHAPTER 158: ZONING CODE; AMENDING ARTICLE X, DEFINITIONS; Please take notice that a public meeting and hearing of the Town of Longboat Key’s Planning and AMENDING SECTION 158.144, DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL Zoning Board will be held to consider proposed modifications to Title 15, Land Development Code, OF ALL IN 158, CONFLICT HEREWITH; FOR Chapter 154, FloodORDINANCES Control, and Chapter Zoning Code, of the CodePROVIDING of Ordinances of the Town of CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE Longboat Key, as more particularly set forth in Ordinance 2024-03:DATE. ORDINANCE 2024-03

handcrafted for a lifetime

The public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Board on proposed Ordinance AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LONGBOAT KEY, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE TOWN OF 2024-03 will KEY be held on February 13, 2024,TITLE at 9:15 as soon thereafter as LONGBOAT CODE OF ORDINANCES, 15a.m., LANDor DEVELOPMENT CODE; may be heard, in the Town Commission Chambers at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, AMENDING CHAPTER 154, FLOOD CONTROL; AMENDING SECTION 154.202, DEFINITIONS; AMENDINGKey, SECTION 154.301, BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES; AMENDING CHAPTER 158: Longboat Florida.

ZONING CODE; AMENDING ARTICLE X, DEFINITIONS; AMENDING SECTION 158.144,

All interested persons mayFOR appear and OF be ALL heard with respectIN toCONFLICT proposed HEREWITH; Ordinance DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING REPEAL ORDINANCES 2024-03. of OrdinancePROVIDING 2024-03 and materialDATE. associated with the PROVIDINGCopies FOR CODIFICATION; FORrelated AN EFFECTIVE amendment may be viewed at the Planning, Zoning & Building Department, 501 Bay The public hearing before the Planning and4:00 Zoning Board on proposed 2024-03 Queswill be held Isles Road, between 7:30 a.m. and p.m. weekdays priorOrdinance to the hearing. on February 13, 2024, at 9:15 a.m., or as soon thereafter as may be heard, in the Town Commission tions may be directed theIsles Planning, Zoning Key, & Building Chambers at Town Hall, 501toBay Road, Longboat Florida. Department at 316-1966.

The proposed amendment will affect property within the corporate boundaries of the AllTown interested persons may and beon heard to proposed Copies of Longboat Keyappear as shown the with maprespect appearing at the Ordinance bottom of2024-03. this adverof tisement.

Ordinance 2024-03 and related material associated with the amendment may be viewed at the Planning, Zoning & Building Department, 501 Bay Isles Road, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

No verbatim record by a certified courtmay reporter is made of these proceedings.

Acweekdays prior to the hearing.

Questions be directed to the Planning, Zoning & Building Department 316-1966.

The proposed will affect within the corporate boundaries cordingly,atany person who may amendment seek to appeal anyproperty decision involving the matters of noticed the Townherein of Longboat Key as shown on map appearing at the bottomofofthe thistestimony advertisement. will be responsible forthemaking a verbatim record and

at these which anyofappeal is to be based (see Section Noevidence verbatim record by aproceedings certified court upon reporter is made these proceedings.

Accordingly, any person 286.0105, Ininvolving accordance with noticed the Americans Disabilities who may seek Florida to appealStatutes). any decision the matters herein willwith be responsible for Act making a verbatim record286.26, of the testimony and evidence at these proceedings upon which any appeal isto to be and Section Florida Statutes, persons needing a special accommodation based (see Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes).

In accordance the Americans with Disabilities Act participate in this proceeding should contact the Townwith Clerk’s office at 941-316-1999 and Section 286.26, persons needing a special accommodation to participate in this seventy-two (72)Florida hoursStatutes, in advance of this proceeding.

If you are hearing impaired, proceeding should contact the Town Clerk’s office at 941-316-1999 seventy-two (72) hours in advance call 941-316-8719. of please this proceeding.

If you are hearing impaired, please call 941-316-8719.

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David Green, Chair David Green, Chair Planning andand Zoning Board Planning Zoning Board Published: 02/08/2024 Published: 02/08/2024

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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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restaurant and to ride the water taxi.

She also said she disagrees that the park needs further activation beyond its current passive use.

“I don’t know where this impression coming from that this park needs to be activated,” she said. “I don’t know what problem we are trying to solve. From my point of view, it does not need to be activated.

It’s not a safety hazard. It’s free, open and accessible to the public. I don’t know why we would need to entertain this. For me, this is a problem that we don’t need to solve. It’s not a problem.”

THE DEBATE

Whether a privately initiated proposal should occupy the time of the PREP Board, and by extension, some city staff time, sparked the late-meeting debate with AhearnKoch and Trice, both vehemently opposed, and Alpert and Arroyo, who supported allowing the public to weigh in. With Commissioner Kyle Battie backing up Alpert and Arroyo, the vote to send it to the PREP Board was eventually approved along those lines.

The vote followed a sometimes heated, workshop-style back-andforth as both sides hardened their positions.

“All those emails that I got all last week and over the weekend, my attitude at that time is I wasted too much time on this Ken Thompson Park presentation already, and I am so opposed to what they presented,” Trice said. “If we tossed it in the round file, I would be very happy.”

Ahearn-Koch said surveys regarding the park clearly indicate residents are requesting improvements that suggest a more passive park experience when improvements are eventually made by the city.

“I’m not saying that I don’t want to do anything to enhance the park, because clearly when the people weighed in, they said they want more shade, fishing facilities, picnic benches, benches in general, nature trails and more trees,” Ahearn-Koch said. “Those are the kinds of things they asked for. I don’t know why we as a city couldn’t provide that.”

Trice said the city doesn’t need Ride Entertainment’s proposed water taxi because a coalition of local government entities are developing

Andrew Warfield

plans, as confirmed by Deputy City Manager Pat Robinson.

After attempting to go it alone for years, Robinson said, the city is working with Sarasota County and the town of Longboat Key for development of a water taxi service. “I’m not saying it’s going to happen in the next six months, but we are continuing to work through that,” he said.

As both sides debated over whether to involve the PREP Board, Alpert said she received an email from Chairman Leo Fitzgerald, who wrote the board is available to evaluate the Ride Entertainment proposal.

Robinson, meanwhile, said he heard from Parks and Recreation Director Jerry Fogle, reminding him that Ken Thompson Park is included in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and that community input and design for improvements there is “two to three years out,” adding, “There are plans that are a little bit further out than six months from now, but relative to the master plan is to address some of the community conversation that already took place.”

Trice and Ahearn-Koch maintained their opposition to put the

Ride Entertainment concept ahead of that discussion.

“This is public space, and if they’re going to provide all of these things, they are going to want to make money,” Ahearn-Koch said. “They’re not doing this out of the goodness of their heart. They are going to want to make their investment back and make a profit.”

Alpert and Arroyo had no objection to that, provided a final plan emerges more quickly — one that is acceptable to the community, renovates the park, maintains the green space and offers transportation options at private expense.

“It’s a proposal that could be tweaked, but I don’t think we should turn it down out of hand because I think it is an underutilized park,” Alpert said. “It doesn’t even look like a park. It just looks like a big, empty lot. Is that the city’s fault? Maybe it is. But if we have somebody who is coming in and offering to spend the money to do this, let’s see if we can’t facilitate that.”

There’s currently no timeline set for when the PREP Board would take up the matter for consideration.

A play structure at Ken Thompson Park on City Island with the downtown skyline in the background across Sarasota Bay.

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“We would like to go to city staff and the Parks Department and vet these ideas in a public-private partnership that enables projects to be accelerated,” Koffman told commissioners. “We would retain all the financial risks. This will make the park more attractive and engaging for people of all ages.”

The presentation set off a debate Koffman has heard before.

Ride Entertainment has in the past proposed a permanent carousel in Circle Park at St. Armands and was permitted by the city to hold the first, and only, Winter Spectacular in the Circle. The objection was primarily two-fold: for-profit use of public property and adding traffic to the frequently clogged arteries between Longboat Key and downtown through St. Armands.

“The whole community needs to be involved because we need to see it in writing,” said Commissioner Erik Arroyo, who requested the discussion be placed on the agenda. “We need to see a study showing that this will actually reduce traffic and it will alleviate a problem that is felt by a lot of the individuals in that area.”

Arroyo said if the proposal results in better maintenance of and activates Ken Thompson Park — and relieves the city’s financial obligation to do so — it is worth exploring, if not by staff then, as Mayor Liz Alpert proposed, by the city’s Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Board.

Commissioner Debbie Trice called that an unnecessary exercise.

“The city without a for-profit entity will be improving the parks, including Ken Thompson Park,” Trice said. “If we want more people to go to Ken Thompson Park, we might want to consider adding a stop for the Bay Runner trolley. Your slide on the benefits to the city, those were not benefits to the city. Those were benefits to your organization that peripherally might be good for the city, but I didn’t see anything in this proposal that would benefit the city and I am so opposed to moving forward.”

Vice Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch said any improvement to a public park should be completely free and accessible to the public. Koffman confirmed there would be a cost to play the park golf course, to dine at the

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Corvettes on The Circle canceled The city of Sarasota informed Skyway Corvette Club of Sarasota and Manatee counties that vehicles are no longer allowed on the St. Armands Circle grass.

STAFF WRITER

T

his spring, don’t expect to see Corvettes on The Circle.

The event celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, but this year the Skyway Corvette Club of Sarasota and Manatee counties isn’t able to hold the event on St. Armands Circle. For now, there are no plans to move the event to another location.

Allen Harmsen, vice president and show chairman for the club, said he had begun preparations for this year’s event in early January and reached out to the St. Armands Circle Association to get the ball rolling.

But instead of maintaining momentum, the planning was stopped in its tracks.

Harmsen said the city told the association it would no longer allow motorized vehicles on park grounds, including St. Armands Circle.

“Following the 2022 Winter Festival, the grassy area within St. Armands Circle Park was renovated and turf grass installed,” city spokesperson Jan Thornburg said in an emailed statement to the Longboat Observer. “Vehicles are not allowed to drive on the grassy areas of St. Armands Circle Park, Selby Five Points Park, Payne Park and Bayfront Park.

“The policy decision went into effect in December 2023. While Corvettes in the Park occurred last year (and other car shows), vehicles allowed in the park were damaging the newly installed grass in St. Armands Circle Park.”

Thornburg said special events can still take place in those areas, but motorized vehicles are not allowed to drive on the grass.

Also in January, the association and city offered that the event could

move to the Boulevard of the Presidents.

But Harmsen said street parking was less than ideal, especially for the large amount of Corvettes that show up. The club set the maximum capacity for the show at 175 cars.

But the Corvettes on The Circle event was allowed at St. Armands in 2023.

Last year, Harmsen said the club was cautious because the turf in the Circle had recently been replaced after another event tore up the ground. He said everything was done to make sure the area was left better than before the event.

This also meant using sandbags to hold down tents instead of stakes, to preserve the grass.

After the event, he said everything seemed fine to both him and city officials. There were a couple patches that the city felt were brown, but it wasn’t able to be determined if those were caused by the cars, according to Harmsen.

Harmsen wondered if those previous events — not limited to Corvettes on The Circle — had done too much damage and led to this recent decision.

St. Armands Circle Association board President Scott Macdonald was unavailable for a phone interview, but sent in an emailed statement regarding the city’s decision.

“The St. Armands Circle Association is disappointed Corvettes on The Circle has been canceled after 25 years due to the city of Sarasota’s decision to not allow motorized vehicles in the Circle Park,” Macdonald said. “Our board of directors are continuing to speak with the city, in the hope that a solution can be found, which will allow the longstanding and community-based events to continue in the future.”

Harmsen said the club sent notices

File image

A red Corvette on display at the 2019 Corvettes on the Circle car show at St. Armands Circle.

to show participants of the last five years, letting them know the show would not go on this year.

“They’re all coming back saying they’re disappointed, saying it was one of their favorite shows,” Harmsen said. “A lot of people are disappointed that we’re not having the show this year.”

MISSING OUT FOR NOW

Corvettes on The Circle was one of the most popular Corvette-only shows in the state. It was held the first Saturday of May every year, said Harmsen.

“It’s arguably probably the best scenic Corvette-only show in all of Florida,” he said, pointing out that most other car shows are parking lot shows.

With Corvettes on The Circle, though, he said participants would come from all over the state and

other parts of the county. Owners would bring their families and make a weekend out of it.

It was a great location because the family members could shop around the Circle during the show, and all the shop vendors were always accommodating, Harmsen said.

Harmsen has been chairman of the show for about 10 years.

The event was also a fundraiser for charity. For the past several years, proceeds from registration fees and the event went to The Honor Flight of West Central Florida. The organization flies World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., to honor their service.

As of last year, Harmsen said the Skyway Corvette Club show sponsored 30 veterans.

At the show, the club also awarded trophies to “best of” categories, including Best by Corvette Gen-

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eration, Club Participation, Best of Show and Skyway Corvette Club Favorite. The trophies were modeled after the Unconditional Surrender statue on Sarasota’s bayfront.

Although this event won’t be returning in 2024, Harmsen said that if the city were willing to work something out, the club would be happy to return.

“We’re not going to react to this and just go and have another show on the same day in a parking lot,” Harmsen said. “If they (the city) would take us back, obviously that would be our first choice because we’ve done it for 25 years and everybody loves it …

We’d love to come back.”

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OPINION / OUR VIEW

LONGBOAT

Pay for ‘enhancements?’

Sarasota County says it will pay for a library branch.

Extras will be up to private donations. Before this gets too far, the town needs data.

MATT WALSH

E

arly on in our history, when facing a crucial decision on whether to go forward with a new venture, an experienced entrepreneur told us: “You know, a lot of times, data can make that decision for you.”

We wanted to make an investment on gut, instinct and our excitement about the opportunity.

But having data helped us make a rational, intelligent decision.

That scenario came to mind after watching Longboat Key town commissioners discuss Monday afternoon next steps toward the development and construction of a Sarasota County public library branch at the Town Center Green.

Clearly, this is a case of the proverbial “done deal.” In the works for almost two years, the town of Longboat Key and Sarasota County have an agreement in principle in which the county has agreed to construct a library branch and operate it.

In fiscal 2023, the county allocated $1 million for the planning and design of the library. On Monday, Carolyn Brown, Longboat’s support services director, informed commissioners the process has progressed to the point that the county has selected an architect and construction manager.

Brown also told commissioners the county is envisioning the library itself would be 8,000 square feet, the cost of which county tax dollars would cover. Cost so far unknown.

But apparently the agreement also stipulates that any additional space the town wants — what the county is calling “enhancements”

— will come from private funds, presumably philanthropic Longboaters.

Before we circle back to the matter of having data, we’re hoping Longboaters who are reading this are reacting as you should: What!? Longboaters raise private funds to pay for “enhancements!?”

That’s right. Included under that enhancement rubric are spaces that have been on the town’s wish list for more than 20 years and are spaces that also were part of the plans envisioned when the town and Ringling College of Art and Design partnered six years ago. Those included such spaces as a community center that could accommodate more than 200 people; meeting rooms; perhaps Temple Israel’s popular Longboat Key Education Center. At one time during the Ringling College discussions there was talk of a black box theater.

No, the county says, any of those spaces, you Longboaters foot the bill.

Fair enough. Well, maybe not.

‘WE PAY A LOT OF MONEY’

Former Mayor Jim Brown, who has been involved in community center efforts for 20 years and spearheaded efforts with Ringling College for almost three years, doesn’t agree.

He told Longboat commissioners Monday: “We pay the county a lot of money. Nineteen percent of the county’s taxes come from the people of Longboat Key in the Sarasota half of Longboat Key. “I’ve seen them build $100 million facilities all over this county. I don’t know why we should have to pay for a few little enhancements that we want to make,” Brown said.

“So I think we need to push them on that. … I really believe that. … I don’t know if anybody else thinks we should do it. But that’s my thought.”

That’s our thought, too. Not only that, what about Manatee County?

Yes, the library branch will be sited in the Sarasota County portion of Longboat Key, but Longboat residents in the Manatee half of the Key will be using the library and other enhancements as well.

To Brown’s point, indeed,

CHARETTE TO BE HELD FOR LIBRARY The town of Longboat Key will conduct a charette/workshop at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12, in the Town Commission Chambers at Longboat Key Town Hall.

The public is invited to contribute ideas on the design and desired features and enhancements in the new facility to be built at Town Center Green.

Longboat Key taxpayers send a lot of money to the two counties every year. According to the town’s finance department, Longboaters in the Sarasota County half of the Key contributed $18.75 million in property taxes in the most recent fiscal year; Manatee Longboaters contributed $14.3 million — $33 million a year.

On top of that, Sarasota County collected $3.3 million in tourist development taxes from hotels and rentals; Manatee County collected $2.6 million.

Let’s not forget the millions sent across the bay to the two counties’ public school systems, which far exceeds the $33 million.

The point being: As Brown noted, “We pay … a lot of money.” Every year.

And in return from the counties, Longboaters and Longboat Key receive what benefits? As Ben Stein, the monotone economics professor in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” said: “Someone? Anyone? Anyone?”

Sarasota County footed most of the cost to remodel Bayfront Park.

And every now and then Manatee County throws the Key a few bucks for beach management at Beer Can Island. Surely, someone from those two entities will send us a long list of paybacks (like driving privileges on their crowded roads; riding our bikes, maybe, on Legacy Trail).

But, c’mon. A lot more love would go a long way.

We cringe at the thought of how much Sarasota County is willing to spend on its 8,000-square-foot branch. Out in Lakewood Ranch, the county recently opened 25,000 square feet of a 50,000-square-foot library that has a price tag (so far) of $17.6 million.

On a per-square-foot basis, that’s

$352. Multiply that by 8,000, and you get a $2.8 million facility.

That in exchange for $33 million a year?

Again, to former Mayor Brown’s point: “I think we need to push them on that.”

ADRIAN MOORE AND VITTORIO NASTASI

F

lorida is leading the nation in health care reforms to unleash innovation and ensure access to care in the face of a growing physician shortage.

Proposed legislation in this year’s legislative session offers lawmakers an opportunity to adopt a similar approach to dental care shortages in the state.

A recent Reason Foundation

report rates all 50 states’ telehealth policies and finds that Florida is among the top-rated states for adopting best practices.

The Sunshine State has broadly permissive laws and rules that don’t give preference to one mode of telehealth or category of provider over others, creating opportunities for future innovation.

Florida’s strong performance is a testament to state lawmakers’ efforts in recent years to reduce or eliminate antiquated regulations that constrain innovation.

A report from the Association of American Medical Colleges projects a nationwide shortage of between 17,800 and 48,000 primary care physicians by 2034. As reported on this page last week (see: Y ­ ourObserver.com/News/2024/ Jan/31/Opinion-How-AttractHealth-Care-Practitioners/), the shortage is likely to be especially acute in Florida because of the state’s rapidly growing and aging population.

Eight million Floridians, roughly 35% of the state’s population live in primary care health professional shortage areas designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. According to HHS estimates, Florida could need an additional 22,000 physicians by 2030.

Florida’s embrace of health care innovation shines brightest when it comes to enabling telehealth across state lines. In 2019, the state passed a first-in-the-nation law to allow health care practitioners licensed in other states to provide telehealth services in Florida without obtaining a Florida-specific license.

Out-of-state providers can complete a simple registration process to verify they are licensed in good standing in another state and create mechanisms for addressing misconduct.

According to a recent Cicero Institute report, more than 7,000 out-of-state practitioners, including nearly 3,000 physicians, registered to provide telehealth services in Florida during fiscal year 20212022.

The only area where Florida fails to achieve top marks is in allowing nurse practitioners to practice to the full extent of their education and training.

Nurse practitioners are highly trained heath care professionals capable of providing much of the well-patient care traditionally provided by physicians. Florida’s nurse practitioner workforce is expected to nearly double by 2035 and can help make up for the anticipated physician shortage.

Following reforms in 2020, nurse practitioners in Florida are allowed to practice and prescribe medications independently, but only after accumulating 3,000 hours of clinical practice under the supervision of a physician and some additional graduate-level education.

Florida’s approach is reasonable and not excessively burdensome, but other states allow nurse practitioners to practice independently without these requirements.

While Florida has made great strides toward embracing telehealth and leveraging the nurse practitioner workforce, the state is also expected to experience a shortage of dental care providers.

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944

WHAT DO THE DATA SHOW?

But even before taking up how much each county should be contributing to this library branch and enhancements, let’s go back to the subject of data — and the whole idea of a fixed county library branch to begin with.

Stick with us here. We’re not arguing against a county-owned and operated library branch. But what should be gathered is data that make the case for spending however much money is to be spent on such a facility.

That information is especially germane, particularly in light of the comments of one of the town’s fiscal watchdogs, Dr. James Whitman. He commented at Monday’s Town Commission meeting there is a contingent of Longboaters who question spending any money at all to build a public library branch.

It was amusing when, to make his point, he held up his cell phone and noted, “We all have a library right here.”

Indeed, what are the data?

We were told the town has no data on the usage of the town’s privately operated library. Nor has the town obtained data showing how library usage has fared since the recent opening of Manatee’s Lakewood Ranch branch; or after Sarasota County opened its Fruitville Road branch and reopened its remodeled Gulf Gate branch.

What happened in years two?

Years three? What did they learn?

What’s more, how much did the county spend on the construction of all of its branches?

For that matter, what would Longboaters say if asked whether a branch should be built; would they use it; and who should pay? The answers are likely predictable, but there may be some surprises.

All of that data and information is useful and likely revealing.

A public library branch, coupled with community center space, meeting rooms and an education center are a big deal. The Town Commission should not let Sarasota County commandeer the outcome.

than 7 million Floridians Florida leads on health care innovation liveMore in HHS-designated dental

Telehealth is helping ease the doctor shortage. Dental therapists are next.

“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.”

health professional shortage areas.

Florida needs an additional 1,536 dental care practitioners to offset the current shortage. Two bills working their way through the Legislature, Senate Bill 1254 and House Bill 1173, offer innovative solutions to current and future dental care shortages.

First, the bills would recognize dental therapists as a new category of licensed, mid-level dental care practitioner. Beginning with Alaska in 2005, 14 states have recognized dental therapists.

Analysis by the James Madison Institute from these states finds that integrating dental therapists into the dental care workforce could contribute to reduced wait and travel times, cost savings and improved patient satisfaction.

Much like the role of nurse practitioners, dental therapists could alleviate some of the strain on Florida’s dental care workforce by providing services that don’t require the unique expertise of a dentist.

Unlike nurse practitioners, dental therapists could not practice independently. The current proposals would instead require that dental therapists be supervised under a collaborative agreement with a Florida-licensed dentist.

Second, the proposed legislation would allow Medicaid reimbursement for dental services provided by mobile dental units through programs targeted at underserved populations.

Adrian Moore is vice president of the Reason Foundation and lives in Sarasota. Vittorio Nastasi is a ­Reason policy analyst in Tallahassee.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

GEORGE RAUCH

W

e have recently been told by the Federal Reserve that because the economy is “relatively strong,” inflation is receding and interest rates are trending down, that things are getting better and that 2024 will be a good year for the economy.

Really?

Right now, the yield on the Dow Jones Industrial Average is less than 2% and the historical dividend yield is 4.1%. The current DJIA priceearnings ratio is just over 30 times earnings, way up from an average of 14.7 times the past 50 years.

What does a yield of less than 2% and a price-earnings ratio of less than 15 tell us about the price of the current market? It tells us that the market is tremendously overpriced, almost double where the market should be priced if it was selling at an average historical yield and price-earnings ratio. Current valuations have only been exceeded in December 2020 and just before the 1929 crash.

Let’s look at some basic problems

and relate them to our economic outlook and then examine the possibility of a favorable stock market over the next several years.

Wall Street firms are predicting 10% annual returns over the next decade. Assuming that is true, let’s analyze what has to be overcome before we can count on those 10% gains: 1. The federal debt just passed $34 trillion with $5 billion to be added to the national debt every day for the next 10 years.

2. Corporate defaults are surging. There were twice as many bankruptcies in 2023 through just September than there were in all of 2021 and 2022 combined.

3. Average adult net worth in the U.S. is $94,000. Two adults in a family enjoy a combined net worth of $188,000. A family of four’s share of the U.S. debt is $408,000 — $102,000 per citizen. No taxpaying family of four has enjoyed benefits thereof. The money is all given away for welfare purposes. Our generation of politicians will walk away from this mess with fat pensions and leave the debt to our heirs.

4. The U.S. will borrow $1.75 trillion in just the first half of this fiscal year. That is $20,000 per family of four.

5. More than 4 million illegal immigrants have entered the U.S. since January 2020. Credible news outlets, and current and retired government employees assert it’s at least 10 million. The Federation for American Immigration Reform estimates the cost to the federal and state governments per refugee is about $80,000 over five years.

That cost will come to more than $128 billion annually based upon just 4 million. It will be a drain on our economy, not a plus as past ­immigration has been.

6. Car loans, credit card debt and mortgage debt are at all-time highs,

Gary S. Brochin Managing Director/Investments Portfolio Manager – Solutions Program

Offering Comprehensive Wealth Management Asset Management Retirement and Estate Planning Tax Planning Reviews Contact me for a complimentary consultation Sarasota: (941) 329-6286 direct Atlanta: (404) 231-6535 direct (678) 575-1399 cell | broching@stifel.com www.brochinwealthmanagement.com

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For more information on the selection methodology, see www.stifel.info/award-disclosures.

Neither Stifel nor its financial advisors provide legal or tax advice. Please consult your legal or tax professional if expert assistance is required.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Take the show down the road

Market

Once again, the bright people of our city have taken the most congested piece of real estate in the entire area and had an “art show!” This caused thousands of cars and people to be totally inconvenienced on both Saturday and Sunday.

Traffic was backed from New Pass bridge to Sarasota in both directions. It took over one hour to get to Main Street from Longboat and just as long to return. There is only one road!

There isn’t enough parking! There are many, better suited venues in Sarasota for these events.

FROM PAGE 9A

SARASOTA

EMS exceeds ­expectations on Longboat Key On Feb. 1 my careless driving caused a serious accident on Gulf of Mexico Drive. Luckily no one was disabled.

To state that the response of the police and medical people was outstanding would not be saying enough about how great they were.

In each encounter they conveyed an attitude of caring.

Hopefully, you will never find yourself in a similar situation, but if you do know that we have the best of the best on the island. A special thanks to Lucile at Cannons for professionally bandaging and caring for the “old man.”

— W.M. “CASH” REGISTER, LONGBOAT KEY

SEND US YOUR LETTERS

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

INFLUENCE OF OTHER ECONOMIES

In addition to our own internal problems, there are serious problems around the world: n Russia has increased interest rates to more than 12% to support the tanking ruble; 50% of the Russian economy is from the sale and production of oil. But Russia is using its economy to support war. Russia has about used up its military ordnance, as well as the oil and gas it had hoped to sell to other countries.

File image

George Rauch points out that car loans, credit card debt and mortgage debt are at all-time highs, and each one is suffering from increasing delinquency. n The entire European Union is in recession, with problems emanating from debt, a slowing economy, welfare obligations, and out of control immigration. n China is currently in dire straits with unemployment among its young people in excess of 20%.

China’s high-tech business is in trouble. American and European firms have just about quit expanding in China. They are now building plants in Vietnam, India and other countries like the Philippines, whose laws and political attitudes are conducive to foreigners who want to do business without conflict. For the first time in years, the Chinese economy will not grow. This is worrisome because of what China is currently doing with Taiwan. Leaders will start wars to get citizens’ minds off a country’s internal problems and to put unemployed people to work in the military or on jobs that provide goods and services to the military. To top it all off, given the huge losses in real estate, deflation has set in, banks are overloaned and technically bankrupt, and China’s citizens are angry.

POSITION OF STOCK MARKETS

While many people think so, the

stock market is not the economy.

And conversely, the economy is not the stock market. What the stock market tells us is the status of investor sentiment, coupled with current company performances. That’s all. As mentioned above, a handful of huge tech stocks control the flow of the world’s information.

Think of what could happen to the stock market: Cash gets tighter and there is a sudden loss of interest in the market coupled with the realization that tech stocks, along with the whole market, are overvalued. That could follow disclosure that a significant number of illiquid banks are about to fail, like the three times they have failed since the Nixon era.

All of a sudden there is no one to buy $5 billion a day in new government-issued debt. Assume that because we have lost our AAA bond rating that U.S. treasuries are going to come to market at a large premium like they did in the 1980s. Imagine the Dow going through the mean into PE ratios of 10- and 12-times earnings and dividend yields exceeding 5%. Maybe confrontation breaks out all over the Middle East, or problems between Russia and

the Baltic states and Poland, or a confrontation over Taiwan. On top of it all, a nasty election year is facing us.

Statistics indicate we are already in a mild recession. Consumer spending is down. This year’s Christmas “buy now, pay later” plans were up 42% from last year. Household disposable income is sliding; and savings continue to fall.

When the market is over 30 times earnings, think of how many years it takes of great earnings by companies to justify a 30-times multiple. That alone is enough to sit on the sidelines and enjoy the 5%-plus returns on bonds and CDs. Who needs risk like this in volatile economic and political times? It’s wise to wait for signs favoring economic expansion.

This is a good time to be in cash, measure one’s risk and be patient.

Caveat emptor.

George Rauch, of Longboat Key, is the CEO of Bradenton-based ­General Propeller and a former Wall Street investment banker.

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and each one is suffering from increasing delinquency. Consumer spending represents two-thirds of our GDP, so this is an indication that consumer spending, which is down, may continue to decrease as cash becomes scarcer.

7. There is a huge resettlement of talented individuals leaving states like California, Illinois and New York. Every major city in those states has borrowed money it cannot repay. Like the federal government, the cities are borrowing just to pay interest on debt. There is no plan to reduce debt. Their employment base is receding at a time when finding skilled employees is difficult.

8. The last time bond yields were this high was in the 1980s when the federal government had debts of 35% of GDP. Now debt is $34 trillion and 2023 GDP is going to be around $27 trillion. That means debt is 126% of our GDP — developing nation-level statistics.

9. The market’s increase in the last several months is due to the performance of the seven richest companies in the world, which didn’t exist 50 years ago: Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta Platforms and Tesla. The rest of the market, about 70% of the weight of the index, has delivered average gains this year of only 2%, less than half of the inflation rate. Poor market breadth frequently leads to problems down the road.

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LETTERS

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

11A

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

SELLING LUXURY WATERFRONT PROPE

1325 Westway Drive LIDO SHORES Modern marvel in Lido Shores! Step into this tropical escape through the hidden courtyard that connects the 3BR main home to the private 2BR guest house, as the perfect introduction to a contemporary masterpiece designed by DSDG Architect Mark Sultana and built by Voigt Brothers Construction.

Boasting all the amenities required for modern living, the inspired architecture highlights spectacular water views from every room of this home’s 6,500+ interior.

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97 South Washington Drive ST. ARMANDS CIRCLE

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Discover this captivating bayfront estate, just a stroll from the vibrant heart of St. Armands Circle. Nestled across two sprawling corner lots, encompassing over 1/2 an acre, this 5BR home rests on one of the largest parcels in the neighborhood. Offered turnkey furnished, this exquisite residence spans nearly 8,000 SF, with bay and city views from nearly every room. Transition seamlessly to the outdoor living spaces through vast glass pocketing sliders on both floors, where you’ll find the ultimate in outdoor entertainment and relaxation.

Stunning, direct bayfront luxury living in Queens Harbour awaits at this gorgeously renovated 3BR + den getaway. Recent updates were just completed in 2023, including a contemporary gourmet kitchen, modernized bathrooms and sleek hardwood flooring throughout. The open layout spans nearly 3,100 SF and is highlighted by walls of glass sliders that overlook the peaceful vistas of Buttonwood Bay while also leading out to the sun-drenched pool deck and deep-water dockage. The deeded access to the private Bay Isles Beach Club is the perfect finishing touch.

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WORK WITH THE BEST PROFESSIONALS FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS 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.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

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ERTY FOR 39 YEARS

7652 Sanderling Road SANDERLING CLUB Life at this gorgeously updated, Siesta Key beach home is a one-of-a-kind experience! Directly overlooking the coastal landscape of the Gulf of Mexico, this private estate rests on more than an acre of property, featuring 172’ of beach! Sanderling Club is the only guard gated, single-family neighborhood on Siesta Key. Originally designed by famed architect Robert Geddes to highlight breathtaking Gulf and striking sunset views from almost any room of this beachfront estate. www.7652Sanderling.com

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1111 Ritz Carlton Drive #1703 THE RESIDENCES

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This northwest-facing 3BR Ritz-Carlton penthouse, one of only four residences on the 17th floor, offers an unparalleled showcase of breathtaking bay, city, and Gulf views from every vantage point. With its expansive nearly 4,300-square-foot layout and trendy furnishings (included), this residence bathes in natural light and boasts a sophisticated design featuring neutral hues, soaring ceilings, and luxurious finishes at every turn. Life at the Ritz-Carlton is the perfect blend of luxury and unparalleled service.

Escape to paradise! Nestled amidst lush tropical foliage, this remarkable 4BR Key West-style direct beachfront home spans more than 3,200 SF and has undergone an extensive renovation inside and out. The elaborate courtyard connects the main home to the private guest cottage. This unique residence boasts a thoughtfully designed layout equipped with a state-of-the-art smart home automation system and refinished terrazzo floors that connect each room. Every detail has been carefully considered to create a truly extraordinary beach experience.

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14A

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Water works Spanish Main Yacht Club completes decade-long project to install new, more resilient potable water pipes.

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

C

hairman of the Water Committee Tom Freiwald said Spanish Main Yacht Club was a 55-plus community in both the age of its residents and potable water lines.

Due to repeated system failures, the Spanish Main Yacht Club had to replace its potable water lines, which were original to the condominium’s construction in 1966.

“This is the biggest infrastructure project, by far, we’ve ever attempted,” Freiwald said. He was involved with the project from early on.

The new water lines cost about $1 million and took about 10 years to install.

On Feb. 7, board members of the condominium marked the official completion of the project, in a celebration for the entire community.

Members of the community were the ones who lived through years of water issues and showed support.

The project involved every one of the 212 units and over 400 residents.

“This was unanimous that we had to do this from the very beginning,” Freiwald said.

LIVING THROUGH ISSUES

Spanish Main Yacht Club is the oldest condominium community on Longboat Key, according to Freiwald.

After years of issues with the water system, the system’s age began to show.

“We had many, many years of failures. Always in the middle of the night,” Freiwald said.

The system was failing on its own.

An old, blue piping system was installed along with the condominiums. The water lines were an early form of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. Issues with the pipes were compounded whenever underground

work took place. Whether it was to investigate problems with the water pipes or cable providers working on underground utility lines, Freiwald said the blue PVC pipes were easy to break.

Even heavy trucks driving over spots with fragile pipes underneath caused cracks.

Sometimes, it took months to locate the issues, said Freiwald and fellow resident Jim Darden.

When issues were located, the first step was to shut off the water to fix the problem. That was tricky with control valves that were either difficult to find or not working properly, according to Freiwald.

That meant the nearly 5,000 feet of water lines needed to all be shut off whenever repairs were necessary.

Then, when working on repairs, muddy water often crept into the pipes due to the area’s high groundwater level.

“After many years of the sanitary problem with the dirty water and the plugging up of faucets in the house, and the inconvenience … the board said we really need to tackle this issue,” Freiwald said.

A MORE EFFICIENT SYSTEM

Darden said the project was also intended to improve the efficiency of the community’s water system.

“A big part of it was to make sure that we weren’t wasting water,” Freiwald said.

During less busy times of year, Freiwald said members of the board would check the condominium’s water meter. In the middle of the night, sometimes up to 12 gallons of water were being used a minute.

That was an issue, Freiwald said.

It was more than just people’s ice makers running in the middle of the night.

Realizing the community’s high water usage, board members said

Carter Weinhofer

The new piping, on the right, in Spanish Main is made of high density polyethylene. On the left is the original piping, which dates back to the 1960s.

the community held workshops and information sessions to try to educate residents about saving water.

“I think that education in itself opened a lot of peoples’ eyes to what they might be able to do differently to help the community and help the savings of water,” Pat Knudsen, who was also a part of the project, said.

But reducing personal water usage wouldn’t solve all the problems. The board then decided to embark on replacing the potable water lines about 10 years ago.

The first couple years consisted of identifying the extent of the problem and what needed to be done in construction. After that, the board worked on finding an engineering team.

Over the span of three years, the condominium association collected funds through increasing the monthly dues for residents. Residents were largely on board.

“We funded this entirely,” Freiwald said. “There was no special assessment because we had enough in the reserves. And not one cent of taxpayer money was used.”

After securing the funds, the board

found a construction company, Florida Piping Solutions.

But once everything was ready, Florida Power & Light’s undergrounding project also got underway. The contractor that Spanish Main Yacht Club hired said it wasn’t possible for the projects to be worked on at the same time, since it was difficult to schedule times in between FPL’s work.

That delayed the project until about a year ago, when construction began.

Now, the new, more efficient potable water system has 24 valves in a loop system. There aren’t any joints in the high-density polyethylene pipes. Everything is fused together.

“So now if we ever have to shut the water off, we can isolate only the area that’s in trouble and not all 212 units,” Freiwald said.

Freiwald and others expressed their gratitude toward the contractor that worked well with the community, and to the town’s Public Works Department, with whom the condominium association worked closely.

“After many years of the sanitary problem with the dirty water and the plugging up of faucets in the house, and the inconvenience … the board said we really need to tackle this issue.”

— Tom Freiwald, chairman of the Water Committee

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

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The Owen Golden Gate Point

A Luxurious Lifestyle in Downtown Sarasota

Artist’s Rendering

An infinity edge saltwater pool and a separate spa will be the centerpiece of The Owen Golden Gate Point’s expansive landscaped outdoor amenity deck.

Artist’s Rendering

The Owen Golden Gate Point has been designed to provide just 29 condominium owners with a luxurious lifestyle in Sarasota.

The Owen Golden Gate Point, a new mid-rise boutique building being developed by the awardwinning Ronto Group in partnership with Wheelock Street Capital, has been designed to provide a select group of just 29 condominium owners with a highly amenitized, luxurious lifestyle in downtown Sarasota.

Situated on a coveted 1.18-acre site, the building’s four three bedroom, three and a half bath open concept floor plan choices range from 2,263 to 3,074 square feet under air plus a balcony with a gas grill. Three of the plans also include a study. Framed by Sarasota Bay, the gated Owen Golden Gate Point offers an ideal spot to capture gentle bay breezes and the ever-changing colors of Southwest Florida’s glorious sunsets. The residences are fully customizable during the pre-construction phase of the project and extensive finish selections are available.

The Owen Golden Gate Point is the only new downtown Sarasota building offering full customization for preconstruction buyers. Pre-construction pricing starts in the mid-$2-millions. Sales contracts worth more than $20 million have been processed.

Artist’s Rendering

The Owen Golden Gate Point’s kitchens will be equipped to satisfy even the most discriminating gourmet.

Ideally situated in one of downtown Sarasota’s most cherished historic locations, The Owen Golden Gate Point will put Ronto’s legendary commitment to creating a luxurious lifestyle on full display. Designed by MHK Architecture and Planning, the building’s contemporary design will be awash in the neutral tones of the shore with gentle curves suggestive of its setting on the Point.

Artist’s Rendering

The Owen Golden Gate Point’s amenities and common areas are being designed by Riley Interior Design – Principal Carrie L. Riley, ASID, including an attractive, comfortable, and highly functional social room.

The Owen Golden Gate Point’s amenities and common areas are being designed by Riley Interior Design Principal Carrie L. Riley, ASID. Around the clock secured building access and semi-private elevators with controlled access will ensure that residents enjoy a welcomed sense of privacy. Owners and their guests will be greeted in a grand two-story rotunda lobby with a reception desk, a concierge, and separate mail and package rooms. The lobby/amenity level will feature a club room with comfortable seating and a bar. A fitness center will offer state-of-the-art equipment, and men’s and women’s locker rooms. A massage suite will allow residents to invite their favorite massage therapist to provide an on-site session. The fitness center will also include a separate stretching/yoga area, a steam room, and a spa. Residents may also invite personal trainers to work with them within the fitness center. Social seating and an indoor/outdoor bar will be featured in a games room outfitted with an assortment of table and arcade games. Zoom rooms, work from home station areas, and a board/conference room will also be included. Secure parking under the building with two spaces per residence, one of which will be pre-wired for a 40-amp power outlet for electric vehicle charging using the vehicle owner’s charger, climate-controlled resident storage rooms, and secured bike storage are also included.

An infinity edge saltwater pool will be the centerpiece of The Owen Golden Gate Point’s expansive landscaped outdoor amenity deck. Billowing palm trees and tropical container gardens, lounge chairs, a separate spa that will be ideal for soothing aching muscles or enjoying a perfect moonlight plunge, a fire pit seating area, and an outdoor bar and grilling area with seating will also be featured.

Additional outdoor amenities will include a walking path, a fenced dog walk/park area, guest parking, and bicycle storage.

Each residence at The Owen Golden Gate Point will showcase a private elevator lobby, an entry foyer and spacious gourmet island kitchen, and a flowing great room and dining area that opens to a spacious covered balcony with glass railings and a built-in stainless-steel Artisan Professional Series grill with a hood. Expansive impact-resistant doors and windows will bathe the living areas with abundant natural light. The kitchens will be equipped to satisfy even the most discriminating gourmet. Standard appliances will include a SubZero side-by-side panel ready refrigerator/freezer with an internal dispenser. A Wolf single wall oven, a transitional five-burner gas range top, a vented exhaust cooktop wall hood, a wall microwave, and a Bosch panel ready dishwasher will also be included. A designer collection of Del Conca floor and shower wall material as well as a designer collection of flat panel or shaker style Miralis cabinets in a wide assortment of colors are available.

Quartz countertops are also available in a wide selection of colors. A Blanco Quatras 18-gauge stainless steel super single bowl undermount kitchen sink will be equipped with a House of Rohl pulldown faucet. The residences will also feature ten-foot ceilings except where dropped, recessed LED lighting in the kitchen, hallways, and baths per plan, contemporary five and one quarter-inch baseboards, smooth finish drywall walls, and ventilated wood shelving in the guest bedroom closets. Sensitive to the comfort of each resident, Owen Golden Gate Point’s concrete block walls and ample airspace between floors will make noise transmission nearly non-existent.

Artist’s Rendering

The Owen Golden Gate Point’s flowing great room and dining areas open to a spacious covered balcony with glass railings and a built-in stainless-steel Artisan Professional Series grill with a hood.

The Ronto Group is now accepting sales contracts for residences at The Owen Golden Gate Point. For additional information about this extraordinary opportunity, contact the LRM Group at Douglas Elliman Real Estate located at 1350 Main Street, Suite 2, Sarasota, FL 34236. Call 941.210.0987.

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The site encompasses the southern tip of the Point, gracefully arcing from east to west while providing partial bay and marina views from the residences. The peninsula’s smart, relaxed personality is distinctive and perfectly suited to a luxury lifestyle. Urban dwellers appreciate Golden Gate Point’s easy access by foot, bike, car, or trolly to St. Armand’s Circle, the beaches, and the shopping, dining, and gallery venues that continue to proliferate in the Sarasota downtown district.

16A

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omeowners of Jewfish Key are asking to leave the town of Longboat Key. The Jewfish Key Preservation Association Inc., the homeowners association for Jewfish Key homeowners, submitted the petition to town officials on Jan. 16.

“The request, in its simplest form, is to basically leave the town,” Town Attorney Maggie Mooney said.

“They’re asking to extricate themselves from the municipal boundaries of the town.”

According to public records, there are 22 pieces of real property on Jewfish Key, the island located off the north end of Longboat Key. On Dec. 19, 2023, the association voted on the resolution to submit the petition. In the letter sent to the town, it was stated that over 15% of the qualified voters on the island voted in favor of the petition.

The letter was sent by Aaron Thomas, firm principal for Najmy Thompson Attorney at Law, who is representing the Jewfish Key Preservation Association.

Michael Mincberg, president of

the association, did not respond to the Observer’s requests via phone and email for comments.

Florida Statutes Chapter 171 Section 51 outlines the contraction, or de-annexation, procedures, and what the town is required to do next.

The town is required to perform a feasibility study of the request, and evaluate the results within six months of the petition receipt. After the study is evaluated, the town is then able to move forward with the contraction ordinance, or reject the petition.

“We’re going to do everything we’re required to do under statute, and we’re likely going to hear it before the commission’s summer hiatus, which means realistically in June,” Mooney said.

Criteria for contraction, as defined

by Florida Statutes Chapter 171 Section 52, states that areas that do not meet criteria for annexation may be proposed for contraction.

If the contraction passed, Jewfish Key would be removed from the town’s boundaries and, by default, fall into unincorporated Manatee County.

Section 62 of the same chapter of Florida Statutes states that an area that is granted contraction would no longer be subject to laws, ordinances or regulations in the municipality. That also means it would not be entitled to possible privileges and benefits.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

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We are proud to honor our top-performing sales associates of 2023.

These knowledgeable and dedicated real estate professionals consistently provide exceptional service to buyers and sellers across Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Honoring our top Sales Associates in 2023

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Beverly St. Hilaire

Melissa Gissinger

Deborah Angelo-O’Mara

Tom Cinquegrano Lakewood Ranch

Longboat Key South

Carol Thomas

Sandy Limberger & Richard Small

Angela Adams

Nicole Ryskamp

Deborah Beacham

Robert Krasow

Fred Sassen Jr.

Julie Klick

Jennifer “JJ” Williams

Maurice Menager & Lin Dunn

Michelle Silva & Alex Stafford

Maxwell Mann & Peter Mann Venice

Mary Pihl, Laura Navratil & Tim Carney

Siesta Key

St. Armands I

Main Street

Main Street

Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch

Main Street

Main Street

Michael Moulton

Main Street

Punta Gorda - Taylor Street

Marcia Cullinan Englewood

St. Armands I

Kristina Waskom

Linda Stowe

Siesta Key

Kelly Quigley Main Street

Barbara Milian

Lakewood Ranch

Chris Baylis

Siesta Key

Lakewood Ranch

Stacey Fredericks

Erin Halstead

Palmer Ranch - Sarasota

Rob & Susan Brooker

Lakewood Ranch

St. Armands I

Palmer Ranch - Sarasota

Debbie Daviadoff

Yvonne & Brian Wolf

Alex Webster

Englewood

St. Armands I

Punta Gorda - Taylor Street

Karen Brown

Jamie & Chris Van Vliet

Joanne & Jim Hammar

Jackie Griese

Bambi & Ford Utton

Debi Benson

Janet Oberholtzer

Helen Kirchner Moore

Barbara Dumbaugh & Victoria Lear

Plantation - West Villages

Plantation - West Villages

Judy Wright

Maryann Casey

Jim Litton

Englewood

Matthew Voss

St. Armands l/Main Street

Englewood

Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch

Siesta Key

Englewood

Englewood

Philip Pisano, III & Wayne Fastzkie St. Armands I

Lakewood Ranch

Venice

Maria Beck & Jalina Beck Main Street

Plantation - West Villages

Venice

Margie Valentine & Jo-Anne Sckowska

Main Street

Main Street

Tammy Kitt Main Street

Venice

Offices in Sarasota, St. Armands, Longboat Key, Bradenton, Anna Maria Island, Lakewood Ranch, Palmer Ranch, Siesta Key, Venice, Englewood, Boca Grande, Punta Gorda | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM | 888.552.5228 419302-1

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

19A

Honoring our top Sales Associates in 2023

Robert Delaney St. Armands I

Klaus Lang Main Street

Stacy Liljeberg & George Kolar

Pam Goodwin & Fran DeDona

Melba Jimenez

Jody Shinn

Marybeth Flynn

Victoria Beckham Main Street

Punta Gorda - Taylor Street

Tracy Pierce

Mary Jo Violett

Edie Lomason Venice

Palmer Ranch - Sarasota

Bill Anderson

Amber Watson

Jared Ross

Heidi Cox

Keith Kropp & Wayne Rogers

Betsy Hagen & Laura Rulon Team

Siesta Key

Leah Secondo

Ray Rausa

Brian Loebker Siesta Key

Longboat Key South

Plantation - West Villages

Stephanie Annable

Marlene Marshall

Angela Lista

Debbie Vogler

Larry Zeigler

Cathy Palmer

Francoise Borel

Jessica Meyers

Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch

St. Armands II

Lindsay Nock Main Street

Bradenton

Siesta Key

Bradenton

Bradenton

Sean Clark

Siesta Key

St. Armands I

Earl Larson & Tryla Brown Larson

Julia McClung

Diana Kryszak

Lynn Morris

Main Street

Olivia Marciniak Main Street

Tim Koons-McGee Lakewood Ranch

Bradenton

Camille Buck St. Armands I

Main Street

Main Street

Bradenton

Siesta Key

Longboat Key South

John Ludden

St. Armands I

Englewood

Lakewood Ranch

Maureen Doherty

David Anthony

Hans & Rebecca Peterson

Kristen Srur

Brett Hendricks

Judy Greene & Tara Lamb

Main Street

Siesta Key

Palmer Ranch - Sarasota

Boca Grande

Tammy Mast

Longboat Key South

Lorraine Neal

Main Street

Anna Maria Island

Denise Gagne

Lakewood Ranch

Longboat Key South

St. Armands II

Main Street

Palmer Ranch - Sarasota

Boca Grande

Siesta Key

419303-1

Offices in Sarasota, St. Armands, Longboat Key, Bradenton, Anna Maria Island, Lakewood Ranch, Palmer Ranch, Siesta Key, Venice, Englewood, Boca Grande, Punta Gorda | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM | 888.552.5228

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Honoring our top Sales Associates in 2023

Kevin Mackin Englewood

Longboat Key South

Mimi Kruk

Jackie Kennedy

Susan Mitchell

Victoria Turner

Pam Miller

Diane Fogo-Harter

Robin Sullivan & Dennis Czapiga

Susan Keal & Lee Byron

David D’Angelo

George & Misty Raines

Ronald Greene

Dede Curran

Marcy Davis

Susan Alliano & Sally Fox

Jeffrey Hinrichs

Susan Gilmore

Lori Bollinger

Leslie Capozzi

Karen Ann Chandler

Ryndie Brusco

Richard Perlman

Michael Hays Siesta Key

Punta Gorda - Taylor Street

Longboat Key South

Rob Dardas

Janis Lynn Collier

Cheryl Siple

Sherry Dominick

Deborah Schlener

Thomas Cristello

Gail Kelly

Tony Boothby

Lainy Vanderwey

Richard Hearn

Stephanie Leitao

Rachel Benderson

Irene Slattery

Elizabeth Burr

Deborah Lynn Nelson

Venice

St. Armands I

Robin Leonardi Siesta Key

Sharon Ross

Siesta Key

Siesta Key

Longboat Key South

St. Armands I

Longboat Key South

Kathleen Griffin

Kim Eskew

Palmer Ranch - Sarasota

Main Street

Pamela Modisett Lakewood Ranch

Venice

Lakewood Ranch

Englewood

Longboat Key South

Lakewood Ranch

Boca Grande

Main Street

Englewood

Lakewood Ranch

Shelley Addessi

Main Street

Bradenton

Main Street

Main Street

Lakewood Ranch

St. Armands I

Venice

Main Street

Genny Ramachandran

Punta Gorda - Taylor Street

Bradenton

Main Street

Siesta Key

Main Street

Main Street

Englewood

Lakewood Ranch

Englewood

Main Street

Englewood

Englewood

Cheryl Torres

Plantation - West Villages

Kathy Carbone

Palmer Ranch - Sarasota

Offices in Sarasota, St. Armands, Longboat Key, Bradenton, Anna Maria Island, Lakewood Ranch, Palmer Ranch, Siesta Key, Venice, Englewood, Boca Grande, Punta Gorda | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM | 888.552.5228 419304-1

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

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Art to Wear Clothing, Jewelry and Accessories Carter Weinhofer

Longboat Key Fire Rescue Liaison Lisa Boggs

New addition STAFF WRITER

L

isa Boggs says she loves interacting with people — a perfect quality to have as the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department’s new Fire Rescue liaison.

She started on Jan. 16, and so far, her day-to-day has been filled with learning, she said. From picking up on fire lingo to understanding the ins and outs of a government job, it’s all new for her.

But Boggs said she likes a challenge and is looking forward to executing the job to its full potential, which will be to help support the crew.

“Everybody’s been very encouraging and helpful,” Boggs said. “It’s been a good experience.”

Her role is focused on administrative work and front desk management at the department.

Boggs is no stranger to Sarasota and Manatee counties. Though she grew up in Ohio, she said she spent many vacations on Anna Maria Island.

In 2000, she decided to move to the Sarasota area. Her favorite part: the sun and the weather.

Most of her professional career was in construction, working in every aspect from permitting to contracts.

In that field, she said the most

New arrivals every week.

rewarding part was getting to meet people from all over and the interactions she shared with others. She also enjoyed being able to work with those people to see their building visions come to fruition.

Boggs said she was laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led her to take a job at Publix for about three years.

But she realized it was time to get out of the routine of closing shifts followed by opening shifts. She wanted a different schedule and something where she could still apply her customer service background.

“I really wanted to get back to some normal, not working on weekends,” Boggs said.

Away from the job, Boggs is an avid reader. She enjoys anything from self-help to historical fiction, she said.

Boggs is also active in volunteering with her church, Bayside Community Church.

She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and likes to sew. She’s done prom and wedding dresses before but doesn’t think she’d be able to do big projects like that again.

And she still enjoys a day up in Anna Maria Island.

“When I want to feel like I’m on vacation, on a day off I go up there and stay all day,” she said.

Public Notice Public notice is hereby given that Sarasota County Libraries is hosting a public

Notice PublicPublic Notice

presentation and workshop on Monday, February 12, 2024, regarding the new County library planned for Longboat Key.

Publicis notice is given herebythat given that Sarasota County Libraries is ahosting a public Public hereby County Libraries is hosting public The notice presentation and workshop willSarasota be held at the Town of Longboat Key, 501 Bay Isles presentation and workshop on Monday, February 2024, regarding the new County presentation and workshop on Monday, February 12, 2024,12, regarding new County Road, Longboat Key, Florida.

There will be an opportunity for publicthe input. libraryfor planned for Longboat Key. library planned Longboat Key. Doors open at 1 p.m. with a formal presentation beginning at 1:30 p.m.

The presentation and workshop willatbe held at the Town of Longboat 501 Bay Isles The presentation and workshop will be held the Town of Longboat Key, 501 Key, Bay Isles

Note: One Longboat or more Town Commissioners Advisory members Road, Key, Florida. beand an opportunity for public input. may be Road, Longboat Key, Florida.

There willThere be anwill opportunity for publicBoard input. present.

Doors 1 p.m. with presentation a formal presentation at 1:30 p.m.

Doors open at 1open p.m. at with a formal beginningbeginning at 1:30 p.m.

No official public orTown action Commissioners will be taken at this Note: Onebusiness or more andevent.

Advisory Board members Note: One or more Town Commissioners and Advisory Board members may be may be present. present.

No verbatim record by a certified court reporter is made of these proceedings.

No official public business or action will be taken at286.26, this event. accordance with the Americans with will Disabilities Act at andthis Section F.S., persons needing a special No In official public business or action be taken event. accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact the Town Clerk’s office at 941-316-1999 seventy-two (72) hours in advance of this proceeding. If you are hearing impaired, please call 941-316-8719.

verbatim record by a certified reporter is made of these proceedings.

No verbatim No record by a certified court reportercourt is made of these proceedings.

419837-1

CARTER WEINHOFER

418408-1

433 N. Orange Ave Sarasota, FL 34236 941.487.8564 wearableartshop.com

In accordance with the with Americans with Act Disabilities Act and Section 286.26, F.S., persons needing a special In accordance with the Americans Disabilities and Section 286.26, F.S., persons needing a special accommodation in this should proceeding should contact the Town office at 941-316-1999 accommodation to participatetoinparticipate this proceeding contact the Town Clerk’s officeClerk’s at 941-316-1999 seventy-two seventy-two (72) hours in advance of this proceeding.

If you are hearing impaired, please call 941-316-8719.

(72) hours in advance of this proceeding. If you are hearing impaired, please call 941-316-8719.

SALE BDI ANNUAL OFFICE

Temple Beth Israel’s 45th Anniversary Gala

MAKING MEMORIES HONORING

HAROLD RONSON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2024 5:30 PM SARASOTA YACHT CLUB

1100 John Ringling Blvd., Sarasota You’re invited to join us in marking this special occasion and honoring a distinguished philanthropist, through whose generosity, has helped ensure the vitality of our faith and the health and welfare of all Sarasota residents.

DON’T MISS TBI’S TICKETS: RESERVATIONS: FUNDRAISING $250 ALL call (941) 383-3428 EVENT INCLUSIVE email the office: T h r e e - C o u r s e M e a l w / office@longboatkeytemple.org OF THE YEAR! Help support our many educational & community events!

Sponsorships Available!

wine, Cocktail Hour, Hors D’oeuvres, entertainment, and raffles.

Reserve a table of friends!

SEATING IS LIMITED. Early Registration is encouraged!

E SAV 15%

Special “Frank & Me” Performance

by Chris Eisenberg of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

ON ALL BDI OFFICE FURNITURE FEBRUARY 8-26

copenhagen imports

Music by Sherry Nadelman and SoulRCoaster

7211 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, Florida 34231

418100-1

RSVP BY FEB. 16, 2024 www.longboatkeytemple.org/gala

*See Sales Associate for Details

Mon.-Sat. 10-6 • Sun. 12-5 941-923-2569 copenhagen-imports.com

418730-1

FURNITURE+LIGHTING+ACCENTS+INTERIOR DESIGN

YourObserver.com

COPS CORNER

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

FRIDAY, JAN. 26

ALL OUT OF JUICE 4:45 p.m., 3100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Officer Public Service: Dispatch sent a Longboat Key officer to a citizen assist call when a man in an electric wheelchair called and said his chair was running out of power.

The officer located the man traveling northbound on the sidewalk; he said he wouldn’t be able to make it home with the battery charge left. Another citizen was on scene with her husband, and they offered to help transport the man home. The officer followed them to the man’s house and assisted in getting him and his wheelchair into his residence.

SATURDAY, JAN. 27

OFFICER TO THE RESCUE 6:17 p.m., 6800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Disabled Vehicle: An officer responded to a call about a disabled vehicle and found a woman who said she had run out of gas while sitting in traffic waiting to cross the bridge.

The officer got two gallons of gas and helped fill the driver’s tank. She was able to leave the island.

CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION 10:05 p.m., 5000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

SATURDAY, JAN. 27

BEACH CHAIR CONUNDRUM 11:44 a.m., 1000 block of Longboat Club Road Officer Public Service: A citizen complaint sent a Longboat Key officer to the beach.

The citizen called to complain about a private beach chair and did not want to meet with police. The caller said an unknown man was sitting on a chair with an orange towel, and that she was upset with how the man responded to her. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with the sitting man, who said his family has a residence at the nearby complex.

Noise Disturbance: A noise complaint sent a Longboat Key officer to investigate. On scene, the officer heard loud live music coming from the back of the mentioned residence. When the officer spoke with the homeowner, the owner said he was having a 50th birthday party for a family member and didn’t realize the time. The owner turned down the music and moved the party inside.

TUESDAY, JAN. 30

DOGS BEING DOGS 9:54 a.m., 500 block of Schooner Lane Animal Problem: An officer was dispatched for a welfare check on a dog that was howling. The officer arrived at the reported residence and tried to contact the homeowner, but it appeared no one was home.

From outside, the officer could see two dogs inside the residence, but did not hear any howling. The dogs seemed to be OK, according to the officer’s report.

Courtesy image

The penthouse at 415 L Ambiance Drive has floor-to-ceiling windows.

$11M penthouse sale breaks Longboat Key condo record

POLICE, NOT MECHANICS 5:59 p.m., 3000 block of Grand Bay Boulevard Officer Public Service: Dispatch asked that a Longboat Key officer contact a citizen who needed help.

An officer spoke with the caller, who said she had an electric rental vehicle that would not turn off. The officer advised her to call the rental car company to have the vehicle towed or serviced.

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

A

$10,995,000 penthouse sale on Longboat Key closed on Jan. 31, making it the highest recorded condominium sale on Longboat Key. The property is located at 415 L Ambiance Drive, which is the L’Ambiance condominium complex.

The three-bedroom, four-bathroom penthouse was built in 1992 and has an interior of 5,170 square feet and two garage spaces. With its sale price, the interior wound up being $2,127 per square foot.

Michelle Sue York, trustee of the Kenneth J. Tolton Trust, purchased the home from Paul Arnold ­Levinson.

The penthouse sits atop the southwest corner of the condominium complex, and the view is what selling agent Roger Pettingell said is the most impressive feature.

“You’ll never get something that has such an unobstructed view of the Gulf and downtown Sarasota,” he said.

The interior features 10.5-foothigh ceilings and walls of floor-to-

THURSDAY, FEB. 1

RAMBUNCTIOUS RACCOON 9:25 a.m., 500 block of Halyard Lane Animal Problem: A concerned citizen called police to alert them of a raccoon in a dumpster that appeared to be acting weird. An officer contacted Animal Services.

OFFICER, WHERE’S MY CAR? 2:31 p.m., 500 block of Bay Isles Parkway Officer Public Service: An officer was flagged down by a woman in a grocery store parking lot. She said she had been searching for a long time and could not locate her vehicle. After telling the officer the make, model and license plate number, the officer went looking for it while the citizen waited in the squad car. The officer was able to find her vehicle.

St. Mary, Star of the Sea,

Sunday Worship

Catholic Church

9am & 11am

Would like to Welcome & Invite You, Your Family Members & Friends to Celebrate Mass with Our Parish Community MASS SCHEDULE Saturday: 4:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, and 11:00 AM Daily Mass at 9:00 AM; Rosary at 8:30 AM Monday - Friday 4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive Chaplet of Divine Mercy daily following Mass.

Join us for Fellowship & Coffee Hour at 10am

5pm

40 North Adams Drive, Sarasota, FL • 941.388.1234

A SH WEDNESDAY SERVICE • February 14th • 10:00 AM

416958-1

417411-1

Contemporary Style Message • Communion

Growing in Jesus’ Name

ceiling windows. It also includes a south-facing chef’s kitchen and three bedroom suites.

With the property comes a monthly homeowners association fee of $5,767. The fee, Pettingell said, helps pay for the condominium’s “fullservice” atmosphere, including 24/7 guards and concierge service, fitness center, clubhouse and resort-style pool and spa.

The property was also listed last year, but was only on the market for 11 days before being removed. This time, the listing sold in 10 days.

Pettingell attributed the quick sale to a marketing push that included ads and social media posts. The idea, he said, is to have the most reach in the shortest amount of time to create a sense of urgency.

In December 2022, a penthouse in En Provence, at 2161 Gulf of Mexico Drive, sold for $8.2 million and set the record for the highest Gulf-front condominium sale on Longboat Key.

Longboat Key, FL 34228 941-383-1255 • www.stmarylbk.org

Rev. Robert Dziedziak, Pastor

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.

Worship With Us at Our Church Sunday Service 10:00 AM Dr. Julia Wharff Piermont, Pastor

Men’s Bible Study: Monday @ 9:00 Women’s Bible Study: Wednesday @ 10:00

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

Visitors & Residents Welcome Watch Our 10:00 AM Service Live: www.bit.ly/cclbksermons or www.christchurchof lbk.org (follow YouTube link)

WINTER CONCERT SERIES

567 Bay Isles Rd, Longboat Key, FL

941-383-3428

416971-1

22A

longboatkeytemple.org

All are welcome at All Angels no exceptions

CONCERTS ARE FREE • VISITORS & RESIDENTS WELCOME

SUNDAY • FEBRUARY 18, 2024 • 2:00 PM

• Worship services Sunday at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Johanna & Joseph

• Live Stream the 10 a.m. service at AllAnglesLBK.org Wine & Cheese New to You Art Sale, Thursday, Feb 8th at 4:30.

563 Bay Isles Rd • 941-383-8161 AllAngelsLBK.org Michael Stewart Accompanist Johanna Davis and Joseph Ryan, members of the renowned Qol Quartet are famous for their beloved Valentine’s Day program, “Love is in the Air.” The highly acclaimed duo of professional singers bring their most heartwarming program to Florida audiences. Individually, these musicians have performed operatic roles and concerts internationally to great acclaim. Johanna and Joseph are one of the most sought-after chamber duos in Florida. You don’t want to miss this once-in-a-season opportunity for an unforgettable program!

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

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

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

416820-1

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

416727-1

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

An Ecumenical Church that Welcomes all People Founded in 1956

416700-1

Ash Wednesday Service, 10 a.m. February 14th

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

R ise TO A N E W V I E W

23A

VISTA RE

3TDUAL

Y CA

EXPL O

at SHELL POINT

VIR TOUR

Rising above the shores of the Caloosahatchee River — just minutes from the islands of Sanibel and Captiva — is Vista Cay, a collection of sophisticated waterfront residences featuring awe-inspiring vistas. For a limited time, future residents can choose their views and enjoy Shell Point’s resort amenities and award-winning lifecare while building is underway. This rare opportunity to select a new construction residence in Shell Point’s most renowned neighborhood won’t last long. Take a virtual tour, register for a seminar, or request an appointment by visiting MeetVistaCay.org.

Championship Golf • Deep-Water Marina • Fine Dining • Award-Winning Lifecare FROM $1.4 MILLION NOW ACCEPTING DEPOSITS MeetVistaCay.org • (239) 466-1131 Shell Point is located just minutes from the islands of Sanibel and Captiva, along the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers, Florida.

419859-1

Shell Point is a nonprofit ministry of The Christian and Missionary Alliance Foundation, Inc. All renderings, maps, site plans, photos, simulated views, floor plans and all other information herein are conceptual and should not be relied upon as representing the final detail. Dimensions, features, and specifications of the proposed development and residences are subject to change without notice.

Furnishings are represented for illustration purposes only. ©2024 Shell Point. All rights reserved. SLS-4921-24

SLS-4921-24 Longboat Key-Palm Coast Observer.indd 1

1/31/24 9:04 AM

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

455 LONGBOAT CLUB ROAD #305

$2,995,000

Perched in a coveted corner position, this Pierre residence enjoys an ideal vantage point directly overlooking the Gulf.

With a spacious layout encompassing 3BR and an impressive nearly 3,000 SF of living space, prepare to be captivated by the breathtaking beach and sunset views as you step inside. Includes covered parking and first-rate amenitie.. www.Pierre305.com

SELLING LUXURY WATERFRONT PROPERTY FOR 39 YEARS

1901 MORRILL STREET

$2,950,000

Life in Sarasota’s Historic District is an enviable experience that places you within minutes of downtown, the bayfront, theaters, museums and more. This stunningly updated, 7BR family compound offers many exciting possibilities. www.1901MorrillStreet.com

1301 MAIN STREET #1701

$2,495,000

Step inside this downtown penthouse and discover the epitome of urban living at its best. This 3BR residence is ideally situated in a sunlit, top-floor spot, in the heart of the city center. Includes two parking spaces! www.1350Main1701.com

2525 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE #7A

$1,799,000

Sriking direct beach and sunset views from every corner welcome you to this beautifully updated, contemporary residence. Located on the 7th floor at Islands West, this gorgeous getaway is ready to immediately enjoy. www.IslandsWest7A.com

HUNTERS POINT

990 BLVD OF THE ARTS #603

Indulge in the pinnacle of downtown living at this 6th-floor residence boasting nearly 2,400 SF of luxurious space. www.BeauCiel603.com

$2,375,000

3464 MISTLETOE LANE

You’ll love the contemporary updates, boating access and private beach club at this 4BR direct bayfront Corey’s Landing residence.. www.3464MistletoeLane.com

$2,299,000

455 LONGBOAT CLUB RD #801 Discover the epitome of coastal living at this 8th-floor, 3BR residence, where stunning beach-to-bay vistas await. www.Pierre801.com

$2,250,000

557 SOUTH PALM AVE #22

Inspired Italian architecture, notable features, 2,100 SF spread across three living levels, and luxurious courtyard all in the heart of downtown. www.BurnCourtVilla22.com

$1,599,000

3030 GRAND BAY BLVD #346

Panoramic, bay and city views abound throughout this lovely 3BR, 2,900+ SF corner residence.

Move-in and immediately enjoy! www.GrandBay346.com

$2,245,000

606 CALLE DEL OTONO

4317 MARINA VIEW WAY

4318 MARINA VIEW WAY

$1,550,000

$1,250,000

The pinnacle of modern luxury living is found at this brand-new, 3BR, waterfront home. www.HuntersPointFL.com

Relish the convenience of brandnew construction at this stunning 3BR, sustainable, green residence. www.HuntersPointFL.com

Furnished and waiting for you to enjoy or rent, this lovely 4BR residence offers many options and is steps from famed Siesta Key Beach! www.606CalledelOtono.com

3060 GRAND BAY BLVD #152

1105 GULF OF MEXICO DR #404

$1,599,000

$1,495,000

$1,299,000

This bayfront 5th-floor Biscayne at Grand Bay offers 2,250 SF, and is ready for you to make your own. www.GrandBay152.com

Beautiful, expansive views of the Gulf are the perfect backdrop at this 3BR, 4th-floor residence. www.Beachplace5404.com

201 N. WASHINGTON DRIVE

6910 SCRUB JAY DRIVE

1826 HAWKINS COURT

1920 LAUREL STREET

1974 HYDE PARK STREET

$2,195,000

$1,049,000

$999,000

$995,000

$799,000

Ready for you to design your dream home, this parcel is in an ideal walkable St. Armands location. www.201NorthWashington.com

Move-in ready, this 4BR+family room home is the ideal blend of privacy and convenience. www.6910ScrubJay.com

This newer, charming 3BR West of the Trail residence is offered furnished and immediately ready to enjoy! www.1826HawkinsCourt.com

Create your own city dream escape at this oversized parcel in Sarasota’ s historic district, walk to downtown. www.1920LaurelStreet.com

Explore the convenience of an ideal Southside Village lifestyle at this furnished, updated 2BR home. www.1974HydePark.com

2437 TEMPLE STREET

225 SANDS POINT RD #6105

2039 GULF OF MEXICO DR #211

631 NORTH ORANGE AVE #107

5631 MIDNIGHT PASS RD #1005

$749,000

$649,000

$499,000

$395,000

$389,000

Southern exposure in Arlington Park!

Updated 3BR home offers blend of historic charm and modern comfort. www.2437TempleStreet.com

Exciting opportunity for island living or enticing rental property at the exclusive Longboat Key Club. www.InnontheBeach6105.com

Step into this 2BR, furnished residence, where an abundance of natural light and lush views greet you. www.SeaplaceG3211.com

Experience the essence of urban living in the vibrant Rosemary Districtat this 2BR renovated retreat. www.MentoneCourt107.com

Bike to Siesta Key beach from this charmingly updated cottage. Boasting covered parking and lovely amenties. www.WhiteSandsVillage1005.com

CA L L TO DAY FO R YO U R EXC LU S I VE TO U R ( 9 41 ) 3 8 7-1 8 4 0 443 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. 417124-1

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FEBRUARY 8, 2024

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Anne and Pete Mitchell with Judy and Jim Van Houten

Ashley Watts, Medge Jaspan, Eleni Sokos and Michael Jaspan

Dine, dance, drink, repeat Tastes and Tunes of the Keys skips fashion show to highlight delish dishes from local vendors and create a friendly atmosphere for mingling.

PETRA RIVERA STAFF WRITER

S

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pirits were high this year at the Longboat Key Garden Club’s Tastes and Tunes of the Key as 250 Longboaters filled their plates with delicious local food and danced the night away at the annual Garden Club fundraiser.

Formally known as Taste of the Keys, the event was held Feb. 1 at the Longboat Key Club Harbourside Ballroom.

In previous years, people would get their food and drinks then sit down for the fashion show. This year, the club was going for a more relaxed, sociable atmosphere. Guests sampled food and drinks from local restaurants while mingling and catching up with friends. They then headed over to the dance floor whenever they were ready.

“The fashion show is so much work ... organizing the models was my job,” said Susan Phillips, immediate past president of the Garden Club and the current head of special projects. “You have to get the models, do fittings, do the whole thing.

That was the quiet time of the event.

Doing it this way without the fashion show, we can really focus on the food and the people. It’s more relaxed.”

Fourteen local restaurants catered the event. Each restaurant had its own table to present its special dish.

The menu included food from Cafe L’Europe, the Chateau Anna Maria, Dry Dock Waterfront Grill, Harry’s Continental Kitchens, Lazy Lobster, Lido Beach Resort, Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant and Pub, the Resort at Longboat Key Club, Tommy Bahama, Zota Beach Resort, Isola Bella Italian Eatery, Ventura’s Italian Kitchen, Napule Restaurant and Elegant Cheesecake Lady Parlor.

The dishes spanned lobster bisque, crab cakes, shrimp bruschetta, pesto gnocchi, beef short ribs with mashed potatoes and margherita pizza. For dessert, guests enjoyed assorted cheesecake and mini key lime pie bites.

“I love this set up better,” said Eric Corona from Tommy Bahama, who worked the event last year.

“Last year, the bar was in the outside hallway, which made the line super long. After the fashion show, everyone got up and immediately left without getting to really talk to everyone and make new friends.

Tonight, you can walk around and dance throughout the night. The bar is in the center, which makes that more efficient. Of course the food is amazing. It’s way better.”

Photos by Petra Rivera

Susan Phillips samples a savory cone from Eric Corona and Brianne Omara.

Tastes and Tunes of the Key is one of the primary fundraisers for the Garden Club, along with its Dinner and Movie event. All proceeds are used for the club’s scholarships, grants and beautification projects of the island. The corporate sponsors of the event were Ocean Properties Hotel Group, the Resort at Longboat Key Club and the Observer Media Group.

A table was also set up for guests to bid on silent auction items. The auction included a variety of prizes, including overnight stays at Opal properties, a Sunset cruise, free dinners at the Lido Beach Resort and with East West Catering, Pilates sessions, wine, Sarasota Ballet tickets, art, gift cards and gift baskets.

Buddy Foy of the Chateau Anna Maria emceed the party. Foy and the Albert Donadi Trio set up the lively scene with jokes, fun music, and an open invitation for guests to join the dance floor.

Guest Anne Mitchell said the fabulous food and fun people made it a night to remember.

Agi Peterson and Jim Brown take a spin on the dance floor.

2B

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Growth of a restaurant The Green Orchid at Selby Gardens will open to the public in February.

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

L

ast month, Michael Klauber offered a demonstration to staff in the kitchen of The Green Orchid by Michael’s On East at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ downtown Sarasota campus.

Klauber, who is the founder of Michael’s On East, placed a sauté pan on the stove, brought the water to a sizzling temperature, and set his hand directly on the burner.

To the amazement of staff, it didn’t burn.

The answer was simple: The restaurant utilizes induction heating equipment, which performs heat transfer through an electromagnetic field.

It’s part of the restaurant’s mission of energy efficiency.

When it holds its soft opening on Feb. 19, The Green Orchid will be the world’s first net-positive energy restaurant — meaning it generates more energy than it consumes — according to Selby Gardens President and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki.

In a setup that she said has never been used to such advantage before, the restaurant’s power comes from a nearly 50,000-square-foot solar array placed atop the parking garage to which the restaurant is attached, also called the Living Energy Access Facility.

“Potentially, no one may have attempted it, even,” said Rominiecki.

“And we’re able to attempt at such an incredible level, because of the very generous philanthropic support we have received for the project.”

Yet LEAF supplies more than power; it’s also contributing to the store of ingredients as well, thanks to a garden adjoining an upper floor of the parking garage, created and managed by Operation ECO Vets.

The restaurant is part of the $51.6 million directed toward Phase 1 of the campus’ redevelopment, and was created with the project’s sustainability goals in mind.

Almost 99% of funding for the redevelopment comes from the private sector, with more than 3,500 private donors to the project.

FRESH FROM THE GARDEN

The globally inspired cuisine will focus on sustainably sourced options for produce, seafood, poultry and other meats, with a major focus on local ingredients.

This means the garden will be essential for supplying a substantial portion of the daily offerings, although, with the still-evolving nature of the seasonal menu, it remains difficult to determine in precisely what amount.

In fact, it’s difficult to even pin down a singular inspiration for the restaurant’s food, as it will draw its inspiration from around the world, including Asian, European, Spanish and Korean cuisines.

When Klauber first visited the garden, he found himself amazed by the range of options that Operation ECO Vets had in store.

Some of the vegetables grown include radishes, varieties of kale, tomatoes and lettuces, arugula, beans, peas, fennel and lots of celery.

You’ll also find many herbs, like cilantro, rosemary and a variety of mints, as they tend to grow well during the wintertime.

That isn’t to say that growing plants in Florida is ever easy. Christina Esposito, project manager for the garden, a former intern with the nonprofit and the owner of Greener Gardens, said creating a setup that would sustain a restaurant required significant research on her part.

“I basically said it was like a Venn diagram — what they want, what we can do, and we meet in the middle,” Esposito said.

Camille Van Sant, the founder of the nonprofit, echoed her comments.

“I always tell you when I am teaching, Florida is too hot, too cold, too

wet, too dry and the sun is scorching — and the UV rays, they burn plants too, not just us, so it’s very challenging.”

The garden uses potting soil, rather than the soil of Florida, which is hostile to the garden’s plants, while Esposito is also conscious of the plants she includes.

For instance, the tropical spinach, which is highly nutritious, grows better in the local climate than regular spinach and can be used in soups and salads.

With the garden’s high location, wind can sometimes be an issue, but Esposito said the issue can be managed by being intentional with the planting, while plants can also adapt.

To avoid the use of pest deterrent, the garden has employed nasturtium, a plant with a brightly colored, edible flowers that fights pests.

Plants will be rotated out as often as every 30 to 45 days, and Esposito has already begun the process of seeding the next plants in trays at home.

A taste of one of the garden’s lowacid honeycomb hybrid tomatoes shows what’s in store at the restaurant: a vibrant flavor different from what you are likely to find in produce from the supermarket.

“The texture, everything, is so different about it,” Esposito said. “It’s just a salty sweet, a way more powerful flavor.”

FUEL FOR A RESTAURANT

As the garden grows, the recipes are being created around it.

But before it could even hope to prepare the food, Michael’s On East had to determine it they would generate enough power to create a netpositive energy facility.

There was no question for the caterer, which has handled all food service at Selby Gardens’ downtown Sarasota campus for the past 10 years, and, more recently, at its Historic Spanish Point Campus, that it wanted to be involved.

However, there were factors to take into consideration, for it was the first time a net-positive goal had ever been attempted for a restaurant.

Ian Swaby

Project Manager Christina Esposito in Selby Gardens’ rooftop garden, which will serve customers at The Green Orchid.

All equipment used in the restaurant is either electric or uses induction. While a piece of equipment has a specific number of amperes it will generate, there is no indication of its electricity usage when at rest, which meant trial and error was involved.

Now, the restaurant is on its way to offering a varied menu of healthy and environmentally friendly options, with inspiration for its cuisine coming from around the world, based on discussions between ECO Vets and Michael’s On East.

For instance, during the upcoming art show, “Yayoi Kusama: A Letter to Georgia O’Keeffe,” which runs from Feb. 11 to June 30 at Selby Gardens, the restaurant will reflect the artist’s home country with Japaneseinspired dishes.

Other examples are cuisine taking inspiration from the coastal regions of the Northeast with preparations of lobster, a pair of dishes from Cape Malay in South Africa and a Koreaninspired dish featuring kimchi.

The offerings will change based on the season, featuring salads of the day, and dishes incorporating special ingredients.

However, the menu will also feature its staples, including The Green Orchid Salad, a version of a Green Goddess that uses herbs from the

garden, and Jennifer’s Rooftop Garden Salad, which is named for Rominiecki and features local and rooftop ingredients including goat cheese, avocado, pecans, a grapefruit topping and a vinaigrette.

The eco-friendly nature of the menu doesn’t end with the food.

Klauber said staff were amazed at the number of products from wineries around the world that were either sustainable, organic or biodynamic. Additionally, the garden’s fresh herbs, local citrus and other products can be incorporated into a specialty cocktail program currently being finalized.

Then finally, the garden ingredients can be incorporated into ice creams, sorbets and other desserts.

Outside of the rooftop garden, the restaurant is working closely with local farms, including those that are raising grass-fed cattle, as well as farms in other parts of the country that are organic or biodynamic.

“Basically overnight, Selby Gardens springboards to the forefront of what a botanical garden can be,” Rominiecki said. “And at the same time, becomes an international leader and demonstration site for sustainability.”

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

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Airport CEO Rick Piccolo updates Kiwanis Club on the area’s growth and the plans for expanding and improving the airport.

he Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key invited Rick Piccolo, president and CEO of the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, to speak at its bimonthly meeting. The Feb. 1 breakfast was at Lazy Lobster.

Commissioner Gary Coffin kicked things off, reminding everyone of the importance of filling out the Citizen’s Satisfaction Survey, which was mailed to each Longboat resident, by Feb. 10.

Piccolo began his presentation by explaining the growth of SRQ airport in previous years. It’s the fastest growing airport in the country, he said.

The number of passengers has grown from 1.3 million to 4.3 million since 2018. In 2018, there were six airlines to 12 nonstop destinations.

Now, SRQ has 11 airlines to 53 nonstop destinations, which allows passengers to travel to most destinations through the major hub airports.

“I’m very proud of the way we perform financially,” said Piccolo.

“We are one of the few airports in this country right now that has no debt. We are building this $200 million worth of improvements without taking on any debt.”

Future projects for SRQ include new concessions and shops, such as Anna Maria Oyster Bar, Shops at Siesta Key, the Salty Key, Motorworks Brewing, and more. SRQ will also have a new cellphone lot with 124 spots, more escalators and a consolidated baggage system. The biggest project is the new ground-level boarding terminal. This will have five gates — all occupied by Allegiant Air. Piccolo opened the discussion for questions after he finished his

Petra Rivera

Rick Piccolo

presentation. Club members asked about topics such as the possibility of getting flights abroad, advanced technology and if there was adequate property space for the airport to keep expanding.

Piccolo explained that the current growth in Sarasota and Manatee counties has fueled the projects, and the airport has a master plan for its continued improvement, including adding more international flights and going vertical to preserve property space in future expansions.

Former Kiwanis President Michael Garey ended the Q&A by asking Piccolo about how long he thinks he wants to continue working at SRQ. Piccolo said that he plans to continue as CEO for about 18 months to see the projects completed. He also shared that he’s looking forward to retiring after putting years of hard work into the airports he has worked for.

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Brenda Kelly prefers to use lots of color in her art.

Photos by Petra Rivera

Madeline Walker works on a painting.

Browsers’ bounty Seaplace residents exhibit paintings, cards and clothing, along with a handful of authors selling their books.

PETRA RIVERA STAFF WRITER

T

hirteen artists showed their work at the annual Seaplace Condominium art show Feb. 4 in the clubhouse.

Residents Judy Herman and Barbara Mishkin co-chaired the event.

Mishkin said it is a wonderful event to share one’s passion for art with fellow Seaplace artists and sell it to neighbors and friends.

Mishkin’s art is connected to her nonprofit, The Inspiration Project.

Each piece has a motivational quote to go along with the art. She also

was selling her book, “TIP’s Magical Journey: The Ride of Discovery and Inspiration.”

Herman said that her art differs depending on her mood and what’s happening in life.

Along with her paintings and drawings, she makes cards and paints on clothing.

Madeline Walker painted live at the art show. She said she does mostly watercolor pieces inspired by her loved ones and her surroundings.

Donna Blansfield put on display her most recent art piece, along with two books she wrote. She shared that as a former math and science major, she decided to take up different art forms such as painting and writing literature to keep her busy during retirement. Her novellas are titled “Joanna’s Secret” and “The Journey Home.”

Two other Seaplace residents sold their books at the Seaplace art

Barbara Mishkin shows off two of her pieces.

show. “Conquering the Life-Balance Hoax” by Donna Cornell shares Cornell’s thoughts on how it is impossible to achieve a balanced life and people should focus on living day by day. Retired nurse Linda Harris wrote about her discoveries fighting fibromyalgia in her book “The Fibromyalgia-TMJ Connection.”

Many Seaplace residents came to the Sunday event to browse the variety of paintings, clothing, cards, books and gifts. There were also Champagne and light bites to enjoy.

“What I like about this is bringing the community together,” said Michael Renick, president of the Seaplace Board of Directors. “Who would have known we had so many artists and authors? It shows me the different kinds of people at Seaplace.

We all are a part of different age groups, have different interests and are from different places.”

Lisle Casper stands with her art.

FABULOUS OR FAIL?

AVOIDING THE PITFALLS OF HOME DESIGN Most people know what isn’t working but they aren’t sure how to fix it. Designing a home that is right for you goes far beyond the number of bedrooms you

need. Your home should reflect who you are and how you want to live.

Brian Phipps of Phipps Home Design believes in this philosophy and has been turning wish lists into reality for over 25 years. Each of the 1,700 luxury homes that he has designed in Longboat Key, Bird Key and Anna Maria is distinctive because the owners have different ideas of the perfect home.

Phipps distinguishes himself by focusing solely on residential projects. “We’re more efficient than a lot of designers,” Phipps says.

“Some take two years to design a home. We can get the construction started in months as opposed to years.”

“Being streamlined is key,” Phipps

says. “People are busier than ever. It is important that we get the design done right and that we are efficient in our approach to the project.”

Clients begin by sharing their dreams and requests. Early on, Phipps recalls receiving files of magazine pages from clients. Today, inspiration comes in digital form and social media posts. From there, Phipps infuses his own ideas with the clients’ to arrive at “workable” ideas.

Positioning of the house is also a primary factor. In fact, Phipps walks the property with the clients to determine the size of home that the lot can accommodate, as well as how to best take advantage of the views and natural light.

Several past clients have hired him to remodel the homes he designed decades ago. “It’s nice to be able to walk into a house 25 years later and nothing has changed,” Phipps says. “It was that nice to begin with.”

Besides comprehensive design packages, Phipps Home Design also helps in working with other professionals, including builders, landscape architects and interior designers. The result is an exquisite home, inside and out, that complements its surroundings.

He then gets down to the details of his clients’ preferences - including the kitchen sink. For home design, Phipps leans toward the Palm Beach and Boca Raton aesthetic, where he cut his teeth in the business. “East Coast stylization has worked well on the West Coast,” he says.

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

7B

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

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1065 GULF OF MEXICO DR., #10-402 • LONGBOAT KEY, FL 2BR/2BA • 1,392 SF • Updated • Furnished • Covered parking space • $949,000

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3460 MISTLETOE LANE • LONGBOAT KEY, FL 3BR+DEN+OFFICE/3.5BA • 2,831 SF • Direct Bayfront • $2,225,000

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3060 GRAND BAY BLVD., #153 • LONGBOAT KEY, FL • $1,799,000 3BR/3.5BA • 2,550 SF • Full floor • Direct Bay views

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1055 GULF OF MEXICO DR., #8-502 • LONGBOAT KEY, FL • $1,475,000 2BR/2BA • 1,392 SF • Direct Gulf front • Updated • Covered parking space

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2110 HARBOURSIDE DR., #514 • LONGBOAT KEY, FL • $1,395,000 2BR+DEN/2BA • 2,031 SF • Walk-down to Bay • Covered parking space

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700 HIDEAWAY BAY LANE • LONGBOAT KEY, FL • $3,295,000 3BR/3.5BA • 3,306 SF • Waterfront • Easy access to bay

3080 GRAND BAY BLVD., #532 • LONGBOAT KEY, FL • $849,000 2BR/2BA • Golf course, and Sarasota Bay views

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100 SANDS POINT RD., #21 • LONGBOAT KEY, FL • $1,495,000 Gulf views • 2BR/2BA • Within the gates of the Longboat Key Club

1932 HARBOURSIDE DR., #224 • LONGBOAT KEY, FL • $629,000 2BR/2BA • 1,192 SF • Bay & City views • Excellent value

5757 GULF OF MEXICO DR.,# 102 • LONGBOAT KEY, FL • $1,295,000 2BR/2BA • 1,561 SF • First Level • Steps to the beach

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3408 WINDING OAKS DRIVE • LONGBOAT KEY, FL • $1,195,000 2BR/2.5BA • 2,039 SF • Completely updated • Private Pool

LIDO SHORES • 1130 CENTER PLACE • SARASOTA, FL 13,000 SQ. FT. +/- Lot • $2,290,000 Situated in the iconic Sarasota school of architecture enclave

Bruce Myer

REALTOR®

941.376.5311

Bruce@BruceMyer.com • www.BruceMyer.com

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FOR THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF EXCLUSIVE LONGBOAT KEY LISTINGS...

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Member SIPC

You deserve a financial advisor who listens We’re just around the corner.

Photos by Petra Rivera

Presbyterian elders and ordained clergy from all faiths put their hands on the Rev. Julia Piermont while praying the prayer of installation on Feb. 4 at Christ Church of Longboat Key.

Michelle K Johnson, CFP®, CEPA®, AAMS™ Financial Advisor

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hurch communities of Longboat Key came together to celebrate the installation of the first full-time pastor and first woman pastor of Christ Church of Longboat Key. The installation of the Rev. Julia Piermont was Feb. 4.

Piermont’s pastor colleagues came to support her at the special service. The Rev. Brock Patterson of the Longboat Island Chapel, the Rev. David Marshall of All Angels By the Sea Episcopal Church, the Rev. Nancy Deming of All Angels, Ruling Presbyterian Elder Doug Haddix of Worthington Presbyterian Church in Ohio, the Rev. Richard Culp from St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Texas, and the Rev. Melana Scruggs of Peace River Presbytery in Port Charlotte were part of the 220 attendees at the service.

Previous Christ Church pastors, the Rev. Norman Pritchard and the Rev. Bruce Porter, also attended.

Both worked part time at Christ Church, never calling for an installation. As the first full-time pastor, Piermont had the honor of having the first installation service at Christ Church.

The Rev. Laurie Haas led the installation ceremony. This included

The Rev. Julia Piermont

Piermont reciting “The Litany of the Gifts,” promises and vows.

The end of the ceremony had all elders in the Presbyterian Church and ordained clergy from different faiths who attended the service putting their hands on Piermont and praying the prayer of installation.

Piermont ended the service by blessing the attendants.

“I feel surrounded by great support,” said Piermont. “It is a humbling feeling on the one hand. The service made me very humbled and, on the other hand, very powered by prayer. I’m so grateful for my colleagues being here. It is a huge gift for them to give that kind of support.”

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

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February 8, 2024

Ritz-Carlton Managed Beach Club Membership Available Immediately

55 Lighthouse Point | Longboat Key | $8,900,000 5 bed + 2 flex rooms | 4.5 bath | 6,159 Sq Ft

1300 Benjamin Franklin Dive #1001 | Lido Key | $5,995,000 3 bed | 3.5 bath | 4,194 Sq Ft

WHERE LOCATION, SOPHISTICATION AND LUXURY MEET. A gated enclave of 16 luxury homes on the southern tip of Longboat Key and minutes to the Gulf of Mexico to enjoy the beach. Instant enjoyment in this newer home with a resort-style outdoor patio, pool, and spa. This location is a boater's paradise (no bridges to the gulf), a golfer's paradise, or a tennis or pickleball lover's paradise. This home has luxurious finishes, as well as close to the cultural hub of Sarasota. www.55Lighthouse.com

Living in this Ritz-Carlton residence will be beyond your expectations. Be prepared to be hypnotized by this 10th-floor southwest corner residence in the sky with its wraparound terrace. Enjoy epic sunrises, moonrises, sunsets, and Sarasota’s skyline day and night. The ladies and gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton are available for the owners 24 hours a day. The Building amenities include a private swimming pool/spa, social rooms, movie theatre, and fitness center. The Beach Residences is on the same site as The Ritz-Carlton Members Beach Club. The location is perfect for walking the beach or biking into St. Armands Circle to shop and dine. Beach Luxury knows no limits. www.RitzCarlton1001.com

3500 Bayou Louise Lane | Siesta Key | $11,500,000 5 bed | 5.5 bath | 6,300 Sq Ft

2251 Gulf of Mexico Drive #204 | Aria - Longboat Key | $9,995,000 3 bed + office or 4 bed | 3.5 bath | 4,032 Sq Ft

Location, Location, Location – Exquisite gated estate on the northern tip of Siesta Key. This home offers Gulf of Mexico views, a 40x20 pool, a spa, an outdoor kitchen, a 24K boat lift & a 12x20 platform to lift a 5,000 lb. kayaks or a jet skis. The main level has the Primary & Guest suites, a library, a chef's kitchen, an elevator, and a 4-car garage. This home has a Beach Access and is the most beautiful home on the north end of Siesta Key. www.3500BayouLouise.com

This home is almost new, and it’s a WOW! Live in this Gulf-front corner residence that feels like a home on the beach at the South end of Longboat Key. Enjoy your private 3400 ft.² terrace, w/your private pool, summer kitchen. This home has private stairs to the beach, a breathtaking clubhouse w/guest suites, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a 5-car garage. www.Aria204.com

521 Wedge Lane | Longboat Key | $1,975,000 3 bed | 2 bath | 1,677 Sq Ft

At The Vue - It is all about the Epic forever VIEWS! This fantastic, almost new residence is on the 14th floor with 10foot ceilings. The home, accessible via a semi-private elevator, has extensive floor-to-ceiling glass walls offering a 180-degree hypnotizing forever view of Sarasota and her islands, including sunrise – moonrise, and sunsets—It is an excellent split floor plan. The Vue offers a concierge, on-site management, a social room, a swimming pool, and valet parking. It offers a southern exposure in the city's heart, and your pet is welcome. www.Vue1407.com

Sanctuary is located within the gates of the Longboat Key Club, Islandside, the southern tip of Longboat Key. In this community, the golf course is your backyard and the Gulf of Mexico is your front yard. In this home enjoy a garden view with exploding sunrises. Generous wraparound terrace with floor-to-ceiling, walls of glass, and an open floor plan for entertaining. This residence has been updated with, a new kitchen, oversized master suite with a spa-like bath. Enclave offers owners a social room, fitness center, tennis, on-site management, and a Disneylike pool. Pet-friendly up to 35 lbs. www.535Sanctuary203.com

Sailboat Water Front home on the southern end of Longboat Key in Country Club Shores with DEEDED BEACH ACCESS. The home showcases a new roof, a new Seawall with a CoolDeck® dock, and a 10,000-pound boat lift. This residence also has a newer kitchen, newer baths, a split floor plan, a family room, and solar panels for the swimming pool—instant enjoyment. www.521WedgeLane.com

1180 Bogey Lane | Longboat Key | $1,200,000 2 bed + flex room | 2 bath | 2,180 Sq Ft

1930 Harbourside Dr #122 | Fairway Bay | $879,000 2 bed | 2 bath | 1,312 Sq Ft

3060 Grand Bay Blvd #122 | Longboat Key | $1,100,000 3 bed | 3 bath | 2,250 Sq Ft - NEW PRICE

Updated, 2 bedrooms + flex room, 2 bathrooms, 2,180 sq ft.

Country Club Shores is known for its prime location near waterways and golf amenities, tennis, boating, and exclusive beach sunsets with a low HOA fee of only $200 per year. Minutes to the new St. Regis on the Gulf of Mexico. South Longboat with Deeded Beach Access. www.1180Bogey.com

Sarasota Bay and skyline is your backyard from this two bedroom, two bath residence that is almost new and ready for instant enjoyment. Features: fitness center, pool, tennis and on-site manager.

DEEDED BEACH ACCESS 1930HarboursideDr122.com

Bay views from this corner residence! Enjoy views through glass floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, enjoy a wraparound terrace, 9 foot ceilings, 3 en-suite bedrooms, or two bedrooms plus a den. Grand Bay has DEEDED BEACH ACCESS, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a generous social room, two pools, tennis courts, and 24-hour security. Two pets are welcome; there is no weight limit. www.GrandBay122.com

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2 bed | 2.5 bath | 1,665 Sq Ft

535 Sanctuary Drive #203 | Sanctuary | $1,975,000 3 bed | 3 bath | 2,375 Sq Ft

1155 N Gulfstream Ave #1407 | The VUE | $2,450,000

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Defense for the unexpected

Cindy Fischer A

Mike and Lynn Madden teach series to help seniors protect themselves from crime, scams and falls.

IF YOU GO

All sessions take place at 4 p.m. in Fr. Edward Pick Parish Hall at St. Mary Star of the Sea. Register by Feb. 9. Call 3831255.

PETRA RIVERA STAFF WRITER

fter two pilot classes last season, Mike and Lynn Madden will bring back their new and improved safety awareness program to Longboat Key, starting next week.

The free program will cover everything retirees need to know in unexpected situations such as scams, frauds, falls, robberies and attacks.

“When you talk to your fellow neighbors, everybody’s got a story,” said Mike. “Older adults are getting scammed in all kinds of new and innovative ways. There was really no formal program that they could go to or listen to or ask questions about that could help them alleviate this scam issue.”

The first session of the three-part series will take place 4 p.m. Feb. 12 in Fr. Edward Pick Parish Hall at St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church. The topics that will be discussed include phone and email scams, home and vehicle safety, artificial intelligence and trip and fall safety.

The program was developed through the couple’s nonprofit, Center for Aging Resources and Enrichment at Le Moyne College in New York. The nonprofit organization helps retirees discover themselves through three areas of their life: spirituality, health care and education.

“It was a brainchild of my wife, Lynn,” said Mike. “She had just retired as vice president of human resources from Le Moyne College.

Then, she wanted to start something for her retiring faculty and administrative people because we felt they really didn’t have a place to go if they

Exclusive Island Properties

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2410 CASEY KEY ROAD | 2 Beds | 2 Baths | 1,186 Sq. Ft. | $3,795,000

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7160 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE | 3 Beds | 2 Baths | 2,056 Sq.Ft. | $2,750,000

SCAN FOR MORE

Session 1 Feb. 12: Phone Scams and Home Safety Session 2 March 13: Email Scams and ­Vehicle Safety Session 3 April 18: Artificial ­Intelligence/Trip and Fall Safety

Courtesy image

Mike and Lynn Madden will teach a safety program on Longboat Key.

had issues or if they were looking for something after retirement.”

In each class, students will watch a video filmed by the Maddens and Chris Kopp, the former town of Longboat Key code enforcement officer. Then, they will lead a discussion and answer questions on the topic. Refreshments will be served afterward.

Last year, the couple held two classes for the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key and St. Mary, Star of the Sea. After feedback from the participants, the Maddens expanded it to the three-part series. If interested, you need to register by Feb. 9. Call 383-1255.

“Safety issues have never been as important as they are to protecting adults in our community,” said Mike.

“Every day, the threat from fraud, scams from your telephone to your internet and just general safety with crime seems to increase and impact our citizenry. As a result, we think it’s really important to increase their awareness and how to prevent these activities.”

680 BROADWAY STREET | 3 Beds | 4 Baths | 2,009 Sq.Ft. | $1,995,000

SCAN FOR MORE

7030 POINSETTA AVENUE | 2 Beds | 2 Baths | 1,402 Sq.Ft. | $1,875,000

Fox Leiter Team Navigating the Sarasota Real Estate Market for Over Four Decades.

SOLD Promenade $1,900,000 Fairway Bay $715,000 1211 Gulf of Mexico Drive #408 2000 Harbourside Drive #1503 Longboat Key, FL 34228 Longboat Key, FL 34228

5131 JUNGLE PLUM ROAD | $9,330,000

SOLD Players Club $1,400,000 Longboat Harbour 1445 Gulf of Mexico Drive #204 4440 Exeter Drive #104 Longboat Key, FL 34228 Longboat Key, FL 34228

6957 LONGBOAT DRIVE | $2,575,000

$585,000

Fox Leiter Team

941.465.1124

CindyFischer.com CindyFischer@michaelsaunders.com 440 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228

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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Real Estate Advisors 1575 Main Street Sarasota, FL 34236 941.544.6649 | foxleiterteam@compass.com | foxleiterteam.com

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

ADVERTISEMENT

ARTIST CONCEPTUAL RENDERING

ONE PARK SETS THE BENCHMARK FOR WORLD-CLASS LIVING IN SARASOTA Achieving a five-star luxury living experience has never been easier than at One Park Sarasota. Located in The Quay along The Bay park, residents of the 18-story lavish community will have convenient access to the dynamic neighborhood and plentiful entertainment options surrounded by natural beauty. The property’s sophisticated coastal design will redefine Sarasota’s skyline and showcase breathtaking panoramic views of Sarasota Bay. For residents, the beauty of One Park Sarasota will not stop at its design and views. With over 40,000 square feet of dedicated amenity space, One Park Sarasota will offer residents ease of living and tranquility at every turn.

Whether active fitness enthusiasts or those seeking slower-paced life with moments of serenity, each resident will have access to the perfect outlet to meet their every need.

A Holistic Approach to Wellness

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One Park Sarasota positions health and wellness at the forefront with a luxurious spa and a world-class fitness center. The Wellness Spa will provide a selection of offerings including saunas, steam rooms, private his and hers lockers while the Hammam Spa promises restoration with its soothing waters. Outdoors, residents

are greeted by the spa deck with an infinity-edge pool where they can lounge about and soak up Sarasota’s year-round sunshine.

Residents can upgrade their workout routines with One Park Sarasota’s state-of-the-art fitness studio with the latest high-tech exercise equipment.

Surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, the fitness studio will fill with streams of sunlight and stunning views of The Bay park to energize residents as they work towards their fitness goals. A pilates studio, yoga lawn, and cycling room will give residents the opportunity to expand or supplement their typical gym routine with invigorating alternatives.

Endless Recreational Options One Park Sarasota empowers residents to enjoy life’s simple pleasures with easy access to a variety of entertainment options. The pool deck is an expansive space where residents can take a swim with the stunning Sarasota landscape as their backdrop. Residents looking for exciting activities close to home can hit the green in the building’s golf simulator.

A simple night in can be transformed into a lively nighttime scene as residents and their guests indulge in

the property’s wine room or watch a movie in the private theater. The Owner’s lounge is an elegant space where residents can entertain. A hospitality suite is conveniently and readily available to host family or friends for extended stays within the property.

Unparalleled Premium Services The key to creating a true 5-star residential experience is to provide exceptional service that enhances the everyday. One Park Sarasota’s dedicated concierge staff will always be available to assist residents with anything they may need including valet parking, package delivery, and dog walking. Additionally, the property’s on-site property management will enhance residents’ comfort.

The Finest Residences in Sarasota One Park Sarasota’s thoughtfully designed and crafted spaces expand far beyond its common areas. Each of the building’s meticulously curated residences, as well as its townhouse and penthouse collection, will serve as extensions of this opulence with grand 12-foot ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing breathtaking views of Sarasota Bay, the downtown skyline, and unobstructed views

ARTIST CONCEPTUAL RENDERING

ARTIST CONCEPTUAL RENDERING

of The Bay park. Inside, residents can enjoy a contemporary lighting package, fully built-out closets, fully integrated kitchens, custom Italian kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, and porcelain slab, marble, or wood flooring throughout. Additional residence highlights include expansive outdoor terraces with glass railing and summer kitchens, a midnight bar in primary bedrooms, and an unprecedented level of efficiency through PMG’s smart home technology experience for seamless personalization with a touch of a button.

With this lifestyle in one’s grasp, residents of One Park Sarasota will experience a new standard of sophisticated living on Florida’s West Coast. Its extensive suite of amenities catered to every need will provide a truly incomparable bayside experience.

To schedule an appointment at the One Park Sarasota sales gallery, located at 20 N. Lemon Avenue, please call 941-232-7035 or visit OneParkSarasota.com.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024 J.D., REALTOR ® , LBK COMMISSIONER J.D., REALTOR ® , LBK COMMISSIONER J.D., REALTOR ® , LBK COMMISSIONER ®

J.D., REAL REALTOR , ESTATE LBK COMMISSIONER REAL ESTATE SIMPLY DONE SIMPLY DONE REALSIMPLY ESTATEDONE SIMPLY DONE REAL ESTATE

203.605.9582 203.605.9582 203.605.9582 203.605.9582

® ® J.D., REALTOR J.D., REALTOR , LBK COMMISSIONER J.D., REALTOR ® ®

J.D., REALTOR

Treasure hunt, Longboat style

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REAL ESTATE SIMPLY DONE • Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist • On Longboat Key since 2002 35 years legal experience • On Longboat Key since 2002 • • LBK Commissioner • 2020 Michael Saunders & Company Memorial Hospital volunteer • Sarasota LBK Former Commissioner • Sarasota Memorial Hospital volunteer The annual Trash to “Top Sales Associates” • • Recent sales in: Bay Isles-Harbor | Recent sales Westway Dr. | • 2020 Michael Company Treasure sale is Feb. 16-17 at • 35Saunders years of&legal experience Promenade | The Pearl | Pointe Tangerine Bay | Sales Associates” Tangerine Bay | Emerald | “Top the Gulfshore of Longboat • 2020 Masters Award Winner Sands Point | Fairway Bay | Harbour Villa Bayport | Longbeach • 2022 President’s Award Winner Club | Perico Bay | Longbeach

Key mobile home park.

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4,941sf | 4BR + Den | $8,150,000 | A4593518

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2,965sf | $3,650,000 | A4593022

2,143sf | $1,399,000 | A4587667

Turning

Your Dreams

hrow it our way. Don’t throw it away.

That’s the motto of the annual Trash to Treasure sale at the Gulfshore of Longboat Key mobile home park.

“We work the entire year for this.

This event is a big deal,” said Kim Fenwick, co-chair. “It takes a lot of people pulling together and helping one another. Everyone has their own department that they work on and their own tasks. It seems to be a success every year.”

Fenwick and Susie Hettmansperger have been the co-chairs of the event since 2020. The pre-sale for Gulfshore residents will be 4-5:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 16. Hettmansperger mentioned that this will be a cocktail hour for residents to enjoy drinks while they shop and get first pick of the items.

The sale will then be open to the public 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 17. Fenwick’s top tip to get bang for your buck is get there early to be alongside the garage sale experts and antiquers who find some spectacular thrift finds.

The committee will accept donations until the day the sale opens.

Hettmansperger said that the trash to treasure closet is already filled to the brim, but they are finding some extra space in the social closet.

“With people that are coming and going, some people that are here a long time want to change their decor around,” said Hettmansperger. “There’s a lot of stuff that someone may think is not so wonderful anymore and they donate it. Then someone else might see it as wonderful and buy it. And that’s how it goes.”

Shoppers will be able to find linens, decor, sports equipment, fish-

File photo

ing gear, furniture, small appliances, general household items and more.

There will also be a boutique with a variety of gently used clothes, shoes and jewelry.

All the money raised goes to the Trash to Treasure Committee to purchase different expenditures that they think would benefit the Gulfshore community. In years past, the committee purchased a hospitalgrade blood pressure machine, new gas stoves, a TV and new countertops for the clubhouse. The remaining money will go to charities such as Habitat for Humanity and Goodwill.

Hettmansperger said the best part for her is the camaraderie between the committee members. She shared that they love pricing the items together and setting it up in a way that will make it desirable for the customers.

“It’s just fun for the girls to all work together,” said Hettmansperger. “Some of the items that get donated, we think, ‘Who would want to buy that?’ We go ahead and put it out. Then we laugh because it might be one of the first things to go. It’s enjoyable to see our manager and the customers very pleased to see how well it is set up and organized.”

Kim Fenwick and Susie Hettmansperger are this year’s Trash to Treasure cochairs.

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1145 Gulf of Mexico Dr #505

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1135 Gulf of Mexico Dr. #303

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1115 Gulf of Mexico Dr #305

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READY TO BUY OR SELL?

Dennis Girard

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

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

941-809-0041 | dennis.girard@premiersir.com 517 Bay Isles Pkwy Longboat Key, FL 34228 dennisgirard.premiersothebysrealty.com

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Broker Associate

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Every Moment Has Led You To This Point.

Introducing Downtown Sarasota’s newest water view community, The Owen Golden Gate Point.

An intimate enclave of 29 contemporary residences ranging from 2,263-3,076 square feet, with resort-inspired amenities and exquisite finishes. Priced from the mid $2 Millions.

GATEWAY TO THE INCREDIBLE

419918-1

941-210-0987 / owengoldengate.com

ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS MAKE REFERENCE TO THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN AND TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. COMMUNITY FEATURES, AMENITIES AND PRICING APPROXIMATE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

The Town Center Green will continue on to Phase 3, which includes a new public library in town through Sarasota County.

Downtown Sarasota’s Premier Senior Rental Retirement Residence

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024 RAIN OR SHINE 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM

To RSVP Call 941-955-9099

File image

Let’s talk about it

AL#8979

Enjoy listening to Jazz selections from this talented group either out in our gardens or indoors, depending on the weather.

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You are invited to a special intimate performance put on by the Sarasota Jazz Project.

AldermanOaks.com 727 Hudson Avenue Sarasota, FL 34236

Sarasota County will hold its first public meeting about the new library project Feb. 12.

OBSERVER STAFF

A

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From festivals to performances and art exhibits, discover the wide variety of events happening in Sarasota and Manatee.

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s Sarasota County’s partnership with Longboat Key moves toward building a public library in Longboat, the county will hold its first public meeting with the library director and the architect presenting basic components of the library at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12, at the Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.

The public library planned for the Town Center Green project will be Sarasota County’s first new library project since 2018 as well as its first library project on a barrier island.

The Sarasota County Commission took an important step in making the initiative a reality in 2022 when it allocated $1 million toward development costs for a Longboat Key library. An architect and construction manager were given contracts for the project, and the design phase officially began in December 2023.

Sarasota County has been working closely with the town of Longboat Key to design and plan a library that

EXCEEDING SELLERS’ EXPECTATIONS Exceptional Service by ON LONGBOAT KEY Sellers’

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your Neighborhood REALTOR®,

will best serve the town’s residents.

“We are excited to bring library services to Longboat Key. From traditional collections and programs to dynamic technology and meeting spaces, the library will undoubtedly serve as a vital community anchor within the town,” said Renée Di Pilato, director of Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources.

“This is something residents have been requesting for a long time, and we’re happy to see it coming to fruition.”

A second public meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m. March 18 at the Longboat Key Town Hall.

The presentations will be followed by a breakout session, where the community will have an opportunity to provide input for any potential enhancements to the project. This will allow the community to have a direct impact on the future of the library’s amenities. The cost for the library, which will be county-built and run, may be supplemented by private donations for any enhancements.

Following the public meetings, architects will create and propose designs for the suggested enhancements. These designs, along with cost estimates, will be used for fundraising efforts.

To view the most recent information as the project progresses, please visit SarsotaCountyLibraries.org or call 311.

Expectationson Longboat Key

JUST LISTED

Open House Sunday, 1-4 pm

JoDene Moneuse

Open House Sunday, 1-4 pm

...AND UNDER CONTRACT 2326 HARBOUR OAKS DR.

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

$1,675,000 LONGBOAT KEY

New

$625,000

2 bdrms/2 bath renovated with a full Bay view 600 Sutton Place

CANAL VACANTFRONT LAND LISTING KEY WEST STYLE HOME $3,400,000

ion truct s n o C

LONGBOAT KEY

3 BR | 2.5 BA | 2,135 SF 2326 HARBOUR OAKS DR. New Price! ...AND New Price! #A4588451 | $1,850,000 3 BR | 2.5MLS BA | 2,282 SF

BUILD YOUR

$1,225,000 | MLS# Elevator A4550092 UNDER CONTRACT • Custom • Rich Custom Cherry • Custom-built home in • Large enclosure with DREAMHOME! Access to Every Level Cabinetry Throughout private natural setting heated pool & spa HARBOUR OAKS DR. • Deeded Large, Deep 2326 • Resort-like Amenities • Extensive wrap around • Private dock & Deeded 540 HARBOR CIRCLE 3 BR | 2.5 BA | 2,282 SF WaterCOVE Boat Slip porches & balconies Beach Access VACANT LAND LISTING BUILD YOUR $1,225,000 | MLS# A4550092

HOME SALES$1,795,000 IN LAST SIX MONTHS

$5,395,000 LONGBOAT KEY

Historic 4 bedroom home in Conrad Beach 7040 Firehouse Rd, Longboat Key 2341 HARBOUR OAKS CIR.

$950,000 LONGBOAT KEY

Build your dream home on canal front land in Longbeach Village! 521 Broadway St, Longboat Key

540 HARBOR COVE CIRCLE BUILD YOUR

$750,000

Vacant lot in the Longboat Key Village 521A Broadway St, Longboat Key

Residential MLS# A4534178 3555 FAIR OAKS LANE Vacant Land MLS# A4535177 SOLD FOR $2,300,000

2101 HARBOURSIDE DRIVE SOLD FOR $1,310,000

580 BIRDIE LANE SOLD FOR $4,260,000

HOME SALES IN LAST SIX MONTHS

540 HARBOR COVE CIRCLE VACANT LAND LISTING $3,400,000 Residential MLS# A4534178 Vacant Land MLS# A4535177

MLS #A4587573 | $2,200,000

MLS #A4592954 | $875,000 BEVERLY ST. HILAIRE 2101 HARBOURSIDE DRIVE 580 BIRDIE LANE

JulieKlick@michaelsaunders.com $1,650,000 LONGBOAT KEY $665,000 LivingonLongboat.com Updated and high and dry! 3 bdrms/2 baths on a Seaplace #G3-305. Beautifully remodeled 2/2.

LONGBOAT KEY

JULIE KLICK BEVERLY ST. HILAIRE SOLD FOR $1,310,000 SOLD FOR 818.416.2505 Longtime residents of Longboat Key$4,260,000 with over 818.416.2505 941.780.6001

beverlysthilaire@michaelsaunders.com JulieKlick@michaelsaunders.com BeverlySellsSarasota.com LivingonLongboat.com

Julie Klick

2045 Gulf of Mexico Dr, Longboat Key

30 years of combined experience specializing beverlysthilaire@michaelsaunders.com BeverlySellsSarasota.com in Longboat Key real estate.

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

LivingonLongboat.com combined experience specializing in Longboat Key real estate.

Beverly St. Hilaire

JULIE KLICK

416890-1

JoDeneMoneuse@michaelsaunders.com LongboatKeyLiving.com

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

DREAMHOME!

2341 HARBOUR OAKS CIR. 3555 FAIR OAKS LANE 6TH FLOOR UNIT WITH GULF, CITY, ONE-LEVEL LONGBOAT KEY VILLA SOLD FOR $1,275,000 FOR $2,300,000 AND BAY VIEWS WITH BAYSIX VIEWSMONTHS HOMESOLD SALES INPARTIAL LAST L’Elegance On Lido Beach Harbour Oaks in Bay Isles 2101 HARBOURSIDE DRIVE 580 BIRDIE LANE 2341 HARBOUR OAKS CIR. 3555 FAIR OAKS LANE 1800 Benjamin Franklin, A602 2143 Harbourside Dr., #1201 SOLD FOR $1,310,000 SOLD FOR $4,260,000 3 BR | 3 BA | 1,980 SF SOLD FOR $1,275,0003 BR | 2.5 BA | 2,224 SF SOLD FOR $2,300,000

941.780.6001

941.302.4913

Vacant Land MLS# A4535177

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

JULIE KLICK

550 De Narvaez Dr., Longboat Key

$3,400,000

DREAMHOME! Residential MLS# A4534178

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

SOLD FOR $1,275,000 ICE PR 2101 HARBOURSIDE DRIVE W E N SOLD FOR $1,310,000

E PRIC NEW

nice canal.

JUST LISTED

793 Jungle MLS# Queen Way Residential A4534178 4 BR | 3 BA | 2,688 SF Vacant Land MLS# A4535177 MLS #A4575835 | $2,100,000

4 bdrms/4.5 baths on 170ft. of canal 610 Longview Dr, Longboat Key

LONGBOAT KEY

PRIZED OAKS BAYFRONT FAIRWAY BAY 2326 HARBOUR DR. ...AND 3 BR | 2.5TOWNHOUSE BA | 2,282 SF UNDER CONTRACT $1,225,000 | MLS# A4550092 1918 Harbourside Dr. #901

941.780.6001

818.416.2505 BEVERLY ST. HILAIRE BeverlyStHilaire@michaelsaunders.com BeverlySellsSarasota.com 818.416.2505

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

JULIE KLICK

941.780.6001

61 S. Boulevard of the Presidents | Sarasota, FL 34236Longtime | 941.388.4447 | www.michaelsaunders.com residents of Longboat Key with over 30 years of

417200-1

LONGBOAT KEY

3 bdrms/2 baths renovated, on a great canal 548 Lyons Lane

ON LONGBOAT KEY EXCEEDING SELLERS’ EXPECTATIONS BUILD YOUR JUST LISTED DREAMHOME! ON LONGBOAT KEY ...AND JUST LISTED UNDER CONTRACT 540 HARBOR COVE CIRCLE

BEVERLY ST. HILAIRE

818.416.2505

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

15B

ROOM FOR HOBBIES, HOME OFFICE OR HANGOUTS?

It’s your move at Lakewood Ranch’s only new home 55+ community.

At Cresswind, we’re in the business of saying yes! Choose from a variety of structural options and flexible floorplans that will floor you with possibilities. If you’re ready to say yes to a new home, community and lifestyle built around you, Cresswind makes it easy.

This is active adult living designed for the way you want to live. Designer-decorated models open daily.

Visit today, and we’ll help you get started.

10 Designer-Decorated Models Open Daily

• New Homes from the upper $400s

CresswindLakewoodRanch.com • 941-217-7980

© 2024 Cresswind is a registered trademark of Kolter Homes. Prices, homesites, home designs and other information subject to errors, changes, omissions, deletions, availability prior sales and withdrawal at any time without notice. CRC057817/CGC1514916

Preview Homes

419583-1

5063 Simons Court | Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

LONGBOAT KEY 65 Lighthouse Point Drive 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 4,941 Sq. Ft. Michael Moulton 941-928-3559 A4593518 $8,150,000

LONGBOAT KEY 648 Dream Island Road 4 Beds 4 Baths 3,631 Sq. Ft. Maureen Horn 941-539-3384 A4587088 $3,999,950

SIESTA KEY 701 Treasure Boat Way 3 Beds 2/2 Baths 3,574 Sq. Ft. Richard Perlman 941-228-8580 A4589589 $2,980,000

LONGBOAT KEY 3527 Fair Oaks Lane 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 4,154 Sq. Ft. Kathy Callahan 941-900-8088 A4583932 $2,595,000

SARASOTA 111 S Pineapple Avenue 1004 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,513 Sq. Ft. Lee Dillon 941-928-5012 A4588173 $1,735,000

LONGBOAT KEY 548 Lyons Lane 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,560 Sq. Ft. JoDene Moneuse 941-302-4913 A4596628 $1,675,000

LONGBOAT KEY 1211 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 805 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,598 Sq. Ft. The Walter Group 941-809-0907 A4597057 $1,495,000

SARASOTA 446 Burns Court 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,313 Sq. Ft. Susan Katanic 941-400-0601 A4567393 $1,444,000

LONGBOAT KEY 1075 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 101 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,172 Sq. Ft. Kathy Callahan 941-900-8088 A4592865 $1,397,000

LONGBOAT KEY 3235 Gulf Of Mexico Drive A505 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,260 Sq. Ft. Michael Nink, Pa 941-914-2805 A4597667 $1,299,000

LONGBOAT KEY 2110 Harbourside Drive 547 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,039 Sq. Ft. The Walter Group 941-809-0907 A4595861 $1,195,000

LONGBOAT KEY 4234 Gulf Of Mexico Drive G1 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,636 Sq. Ft. Michael Nink, Pa 941-914-2805 A4589473 $1,079,000

SARASOTA 800 N Tamiami Trail 317 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,830 Sq. Ft. Ian Addy & Gail Wittig 941-961-8850 A4594771 $984,000

LONGBOAT KEY 1085 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 302 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,392 Sq. Ft. Ian Addy & Gail Wittig 941-961-8850 A4589636 $975,000

SARASOTA 235 Cocoanut Avenue 125D 2 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,300 Sq. Ft. Sandi Layfield 941-914-2807 A4589291 $939,000

LONGBOAT KEY 6960 Poinsetta Avenue 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,461 Sq. Ft. Cindy Fischer 941-465-1124 A4583722 $815,000

SARASOTA 2259 Midnight Pearl Drive 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,051 Sq. Ft. Susan Katanic 941-400-0601 A4596871 $698,000

PALMETTO 611 Riviera Dunes Way 308 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,115 Sq. Ft. Debra Pitell-Hauge 941-356-0437 A4588950 $685,000

LONGBOAT KEY 806 Bayport Way 806 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,260 Sq. Ft. Maruta Miluns 941-374-9720 A4589330 $629,000

LONGBOAT KEY 600 Sutton Place 303 2 Beds 2 Baths 992 Sq. Ft. JoDene Moneuse 941-302-4913 A4592570 $625,000

LONGBOAT KEY 730 Spanish Drive S 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,405 Sq. Ft. Sean Clark 941-312-1146 A4585691 $584,999

LONGBOAT KEY 565 Sutton Place V-9 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,198 Sq. Ft. The Walter Group 941-809-0907 A4594253 $549,000

SARASOTA 1268 11th Street 2402 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,122 Sq. Ft. Michael Yawitz 941-587-8091 A4586457 $499,900

SARASOTA 3824 Virga Boulevard 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,487 Sq. Ft. Susan Katanic 941-400-0601 A4588771 $385,000

SARASOTA 3504 Richwood Link 57 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,191 Sq. Ft. Malihe Karimi 941-376-5099 A4591741 $324,900

BRADENTON 10216 46th Avenue W 6 Beds 7/1 Baths 6,455 Sq. Ft. Kathy Callahan 941-900-8088 A4564882 $7,999,000

LONGBOAT KEY 648 Bayview Drive The Walter Group 941-232-2000 A4569059 $4,495,000

SARASOTA 888 Blvd Of The Arts 101 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,315 Sq. Ft. Michael Moulton 941-928-3559 A4582024 $4,450,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM

419907-1

16B

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

condominium in Veinte tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.

Gregory Goodrid and Stephanie Goodrid Lawson, of Indianapolis, sold their Unit 304 condominium at 2675 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Raymond Hurd and Mimi Hurd, trustees, of Lebanon, Tennessee, for $2.15 million. Built in 1979, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,180 square feet of living area. It sold for $310,000 in 1994.

REAL ESTATE

Veinte condominium tops sales at $2.15 million

17B

Courtesy image by Dianne Anderson

Gregory Goodrid and Stephanie Goodrid Lawson, of Indianapolis, sold their Unit 304 condominium at 2675 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Raymond Hurd and Mimi Hurd, trustees, of Lebanon, Tennessee, for $2.15 million.

PROMENADE

Jacob and Patricia van der Vorm, of Longboat Key, sold their Unit 1005 condominium at 1211 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Robert Stanley Russell, trustee, of Longboat Key, for $2 million. Built in 1985, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,135 square feet of living area. It sold for $679,000 in 2012.

KEY TOWERS SOUTH

Diane Tapscott and Ernest and Rosalie Cicogna, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 10F condominium at 1750 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Phil and David Muzikant, of Brooklyn, New York, for $1.25 million. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,781 square feet of living area. It sold for $675,000 in 2020.

INN ON THE BEACH

Marek and Julita Lochnicki sold their Unit 3605 condominium at 230 Sands Point Road to Christopher Spray and James McVay, trustees, of Great Bend, Kansas, for $1.14 million. Built in 1982, it has one bedroom, one-and-a-half baths and 634 square feet of living area. It sold for $653,000 in 2021.

Mark Katz, trustee, of Piedmont, California, sold the Unit 4102 condominium at 240 Sands Point Road to David O’Neill Jr., trustee, of Cleveland, for $1.02 million. Built in 1982, it has one bedroom, one bath and 640 square feet of living area. It sold for $172,800 in 1983.

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

In with the new

JAN. 22-26

KINGSTON ARMS

Marcel Hurst, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 15A condominium at 500 S. Washington Drive to Stephanie Jean Properties LLC for $590,000. Built in 1963, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,034 square feet of living area. It sold for $100,000 in 1994.

TOP BUILDING PERMITS These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of Jan. 26- Feb. 1 in order of dollar amounts.

Longboat Key Address

Permit

Applicant

6341 Gulf Of Mexico Drive

New Con — Res

Rg Trust Services LLC

3115 Gulf Of Mexico Drive

Alt/Renovation

Anthony Jimenez

$316,355

Windows/Doors

Willis E Hartman

$284,000

NOW TAKING CONTRACTS

DOWNTOWN SARASOTA SOTA Residences & Hotel | 941.462.3900 | From $1.8M | Visit the Main Street Gallery | thesota.com

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

DOWNTOWN ST. PETERSBURG 400 Central | 727.209.7848 | From the $900,000s | Call for an appointment | Residences400central.com

Amount $5,005,014

MOVE-IN SPRING 2024

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

GOLDEN GATE POINT

LONGBOAT KEY

#Ph2 3105 Gulf Of Mexico Drive

Living Trust

3636 Fair Oaks Place

Windows/Doors

John Jetts

$157,858

629 Kingfisher Lane

Swimming Pool

Francisco Family Trust

$124,408

Ralph Haschke

$106,600

Spa 724 Marbury Lane

Swimming Pool Spa

6803 Gulf Of Mexico Drive

Windows/Doors

Beach Walk Condominium

$93,405

6803 Gulf Of Mexico Drive

Windows/Doors

Beach Walk Condominium

$93,405

6803 Gulf Of Mexico Drive

Windows/Doors

Beach Walk Condominium

$93,405

3314 Bayou Road

Re-roof

James Rand

$92,886

3500 Gulf Of Mexico Drive

Windows/Doors

Betty Franson Trust

$79,246

3303 Sabal Cove Circle

Re-roof

Gerald R Beck Florida Trust $68,200

3347 Sabal Cove Way

Alt/Renovation

Robert Mandos

$65,000

585 Sanctuary Drive

Electrical

Sanctuary I At Longboat

$61,550

En Pointe | 941.685.1598 | enpointesarasota.com | From $2,775,000

The Residences at the St. Regis | 941.213.3300 | SRResidencesLongboatKey.com

#D304

Alt/Renovation

Key Club Condo Assn. Inc.

668 Halyard Lane

Dock/Seawall/Lift

David M Farrell Trust

$49,043

5757 Gulf Of Mexico Drive

Windows/Doors

Mark Rosenfeld

$48,652

Concrete Repair

Four Winds Beach Resort

$32,112

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

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

Unit 216 Condo Assn. Inc.

1975 Gulf Of Mexico Drive #111 Windows/Doors

Gerard La Croix

MichaelSaunders.com/New-Homes | 844.591.4333 | Sarasota, Florida $31,296 Source: Town of Longboat Key

Prices as of November 2023

419895-1

2605 Gulf Of Mexico Drive

18B

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Michael Nink, PA, Broker- Associate, GRI

Direct Longboat Key Bayfront at popular Pelican Harbour 3 full bedrooms—water views on all sides furnished $ 1,079,000 | MLS#A4589473

The stunning sunrises from this 2 bedroom 3.5 bath Grand Bay Bldg 4 residence are some of the most beautiful In the world. Light and Bright Great room well situated for gatherings and Conversation $ 1,500,000 | MLS#A4588579

Always a Holiday at Grand Bay Bldg 2, 3 bedroom 3 bath‐2 large balconies, one with Sweeping Bay View— great for indoor/outdoor living $ 1,475,000 | MLS#A4592876

11th floor Islander Club “Manhattan Style” apartment shows like a model‐‐ 2Bed‐‐all redone—Bay and Gulf views Upscale Turnkey Furnished $ 1,299,000 | MLS#A4587000

MichaelNink@michaelsaunders.com michaelnink.michaelsaunders.com

SATURDAY, FEB. 10

CHRIST CHURCH BOOK SALE 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Christ Church of Longboat Key, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Christ Church is having a book sale for a second year. There will be hundreds of bargain-priced, lightly used books, jigsaw puzzles and other media for all ages. Genres include: fiction, nonfiction, travel, biblical and audio books. Call 383-8833.

BEST BET

MONDAY, FEB. 12

PICKLEBALL BASICS 11:30 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Volunteer certified instructor Terri Noyes will cover all you need to know to begin playing the popular court sport. No equipment needed.

Wear court shoes. Call 383-6493.

TUESDAY, FEB. 11

DRIFTWOOD BEACH HOME AND GARDEN THIRD ANNIVERSARY 4-6 p.m. at Driftwood Beach Home and Garden, 6838 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Free. The anniversary celebration was postponed a week. Come celebrate Driftwood Beach Home and Garden turning 3. Snacks and prosecco will be provided while shopping and mingling with new and old friends. Call 960-0568.

THURSDAY, FEB. 15 418775-1

440 Gulf of Mexico Drive Longboat Key, FL 34228 941-914-2805

YOUR CALENDAR

Trust. Value. Faith.

Your Local Longboat Key Realtor

COASTAL ELEGANCE AT ITS FINEST! Open House Saturdays & Sundays 1- 4 pm

SARASOTA SAILING SQUADRON OPEN HOUSE 5 p.m. at Sarasota Sailing Squadron, 1717 Ken Thompson Parkway.

Come check out the Sarasota Sailing Squadron. U.S. Sailing certified instructors will be there to answer questions. Beer, wine and snacks will be served. Call 388-2355 for more information.

Petra Rivera

Terri Noyes held a pickleball workshop Nov. 13 at The Paradise Center.

RECURRING EVENTS

551 BROADWAY ST Longboat Key, FL

MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY LONGBOAT LIBRARY From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., MondayFriday. 555 Bay Isles Road. Call 383-2011.

Listed for $4,450,000 MLS# A4555735

4 Bedrooms | 4.5 Baths 3,738 Sq Ft | 4 Car Garage

Now Complete and Ready for Occupancy BUILT BY EASON BUILDERS GROUP, KNOWN FOR QUALITY WORKMANSHIP AND ATTENTION TO DETAILS.

This new home features timely finishes including hard wood flooring, custom cabinetry, high quality solid surfaces, custom millwork throughout, and vaulted ceilings. There is a primary and secondary master suite and two en-suites. The home will have a private elevator, several covered lanais and an amazing tropical pool with spa surrounded by mature landscape. For the boaters, there is canal access, including a boat dock and 10,000 lb. lift with easy access to the ICW and the Gulf of Mexico. Conveniently located in the Historic Village of Longboat Key, you have easy access to the beach, which is a short 5 minute walk. You are also a short walk to three of the best local restaurants.

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS

PUMPING THE PRIME: CARDIO, STRENGTH & STRETCH 10 a.m. at the Bayfront Park Recreation Center. This low-impact class helps burn calories and increase stamina. It also includes strength exercises for a total body workout.

Participants should be able to get down on the floor and get up readily.

(Please bring a towel.) Runs until the end of April/May 2024. Classes are $10 for rec center members; $15 for nonmembers. Contact Mirabai Holland at Mirabai@­MovingFree.com.

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS

LORD’S WAREHOUSE THRIFT STORE The thrift store will be open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 6140 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Donations are accepted during business hours. Call 383-4738.

MONDAYS

ZUMBA & TONING 10 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Taught by Reena Malik, this class begins with 30 minutes of Zumba and finishes with mat Pilates for flexibility and strengthening core muscles. Come for 30 or 60 minutes. Free for members; $15 for nonmembers.

YOU ARE INVITED TO...

CAT DEPOT ’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION THURSDAY, MARCH 07 | 6:30PM HYATT REGENCY SARASOTA AMI BEACHES REAL ESTATE “Old Florida with a new twist”

941.799.9096

gregg@amibeaches.com

PERSONALIZED CARE & EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE

Your Hometown Favorite For More Than Eight Decades!

LOCAL, VETERAN OWNED & OPERATED SINCE 1939

DR. JOHN MASSEY, Au.D./CCC-A Board Certified Audiologist dedicated to providing quality hearing healthcare services. During Dr. Massey’s apprenticeship, he did research in psychoacoustics and speech perception.

He also has a background as a professional audio engineer and producer, which brings a unique knowledge of acoustics and signal processing to the practice.

LONGBOAT KEY

597 Sutton Place | Sutton Place MLS#A4586008 2/1.5 - 1,008 sf | Deeded Beach Access | $524,900 Dia Wilson (941) 284-3667

4370 Chatham Drive, Unit 104| Longboat Harbour MLS#A4592435 | 2/2 - 1,040 sf | Great amenities | $550,000 | Ed Taaffe (636) 346-6165

ANNA MARIA ISLAND

LONGBOAT KEY

612 Marbury Lane | Sleepy Lagoon Pk| MLS#A4590263 | 2/2 - 1,128 sf | Canal Front | $1,325,000 | Ed Taaffe (636) 346-6165

• Hearing Evaluations (Adults & Pediatrics) • Custom Programming that is Individualized using Probe Tip Microphones • Veteran’s Discount

1801 Gulf Dr #268 | Runaway Bay | MLS#A4584838 2/2 - 1,080 sf | Deeded Beach Access | $549,000 | Becky Smith /Elfi Starrett (941) 773-1954

RESIDENTIAL SALES - RENTALS - PROPERTY MANAGEMENT VOTED “Favorite Real Estate Company” by readers of the local newspaper for 25 years in a row!

Longboat Key Office

418388-1

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

941.383.5577

RSVP TODAY AT CATDEPOT.ORG

Experience

WagnerRealty.com

LONGBOAT KEY

417456-1

Broker

“I have been wearing hearing aids for 25 years, and have seen several audiologists and ENTs throughout that time. Some were good clinically, but not personally; some were the reverse. Dr. Massey is exceptional in that he truly cares, knows his stuff, and works hard to give his patients the best possible hearing.”

– T.

• Tinnitus Evaluation • Hearing Aid Consultations • Hearing Aid Fittings • Rehab & Preventive Hearing Consultations

FREE Consultation 941.312.4274 3333 Clark Road, Suite 170 Sarasota FL 34231

www.HearSarasota.com

412434-1

GREGG BAYER

418772-1

1000 BOULEVARD OF THE ARTS

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

19B

Exceptional, Elevated Living INSIDE AND OUT.

R E SI DE NCE SL I DOK EY.COM

Now Under Construction • From the $6 Millions • 941-888-3131

417806-1

ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. This project has been filed in the state of Florida and no other state. This is not an offer to sell or solicitation of offers to buy the condominium units in states where such offer or solicitation cannot be made. Equal Housing Opportunity. Rosewood Residences Lido Key is owned and being developed, offered and sold by WSR—Lido Beach, LLC (“Developer”). The project is not owned, developed or sold by Rosewood Hotels and Resorts, L.L.C. or any of its affiliates (“Rosewood”). Developer uses the Rosewood marks pursuant to a license agreement with Rosewood, which may be terminated under certain conditions. Rosewood does not assume any responsibility or liability in connection with the condominium. © Copyright 2024. All rights reserved. The Ronto Group®. Rosewood Hotels and Resorts®.

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

“SOTA is unique in being urban, tropical, sophisticated, and casual all at once.”

— Andre Kikoski, AIA, Interior Designer

AN UNEXPECTED EXPRESSION OF MODERN URBAN LIVING FROM $1.8M Fully serviced living above the HOTEL SOTA in downtown Sarasota combines stylish new residences, best-in-class service, and a stunning array of urban resort amenities, with the most unexpected luxury of all, the price.

S C H E D ULE A P RIVATE AP P OI N TMEN T A Limited Collection of 35 Fully Serviced Downtown Residences Sales Gallery: 1734 Main St., Sarasota, FL 34236 | 941.231.6989 | TheSota.com

Broker participation is welcomed and encouraged. ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. This project has been filed in the state of Florida and no other state.

This is not an offer to sell or solicitation of offers to buy the condominium units in states where such offer or solicitation cannot be made. Prices and availability are subject to change at any time without notice.

418160-1

20B

YourObserver.com

21B

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

SUNRISE / SUNSET

FRIDAY, FEB. 9

WEATHER

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST

Sunrise Sunset

High: 71 Low: 59 Chance of rain: 7%

Thursday, Feb. 8

7:12a

6:17p

Friday, Feb. 9

7:12a

6:17p

Saturday, Feb. 10

7:11a

6:18p

Sunday, Feb. 11

7:10a

6:19p

SATURDAY, FEB. 10

Monday, Feb. 12

7:10a

6:20p

High: 71 Low: 60 Chance of rain: 7%

Tuesday, Feb. 13

7:09a

6:20p

Wednesday, Feb. 14

7:08a

6:21p

MOON PHASES SUNDAY, FEB. 11 High: 73 Low: 63 Chance of rain: 7%

Feb. 9 New

Feb. 16 First

Feb. 24 Full

March 3 Last

TIDES Highs Lows Thursday, Feb. 8

1:19p

10:22p

6:15a

4:21p

Friday, Feb. 9

1:25p

11:19p

6:56a

5:26p

—

1:35p

7:33a

6:26p

Sunday, Feb. 11

12:13a

1:48p

8:06a

7:26p

Monday, Feb. 12

1:09a

2:05p

8:35a

8:27p

Tuesday, Feb. 13

2:08a

2:27p

9:01a

9:33p

Wednesday, Feb. 14

3:15a

2:53p

9:22a

10:46p

Saturday, Feb. 10 Donna Brown took this photo of a curious woodpecker in Longbeach Village on Longboat Key.

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.

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

Flooring Made for Your Family

celebrity cipher devices

52 Didn’t make the grade,

121 Pen’s point

say

122 Patty or Selma, in “The

53 Cabin component

Simpsons” spoof of “The

55 Tinder bit

Odyssey”

56 Steps on it, say

123 Yankee pitching legend

57 Classic

Don

59 Indian flatbread

124 Levelheaded

62 Colorful items in some

125 Happy ___ clam

gender reveals

126 Equipment for many

63 Fitness instructor

climbers

Lovewell

127 Woes for farmers

65 Seek’s partner

1 Reddit VIPs 2 Slushy brand 3 Take a fresh approach 4 Destroyer’s barrage 5 Absence of faith 6 To be, in Tulum 7 Tiger’s realm 8 Word shouted on a set 9 Fivers 10 Camera type (Abbr.)

11 Head-turner 12 That sounds nice!

13 Lesley of “60 Minutes” 14 Some pests 15 Give a hand 16 Where rubber meets the

©2023 Universal Uclick

ACROSS 1 Wife, informally

36 “Hasta la vista”

after the Trojan Horse

88 Tattoo shop supplies

38 Fuss over oneself

64 Valuable item in some

90 City co-hosting the 2026

fairy tales

Winter Olympics

66 Item often in brownie

91 Curved path

7 Grps. involved in education 40 Provide a virtual John Hancock 11 Popes, e.g.

14 Play parts 18 Choice at the pump 19 One of seven in a Hawthorne title 21 Bit in some cookie bites 22 Ballet bend 23 *Sell electrical equipment?

25 Some upcycled gallery pieces 27 Put into play, on a court 28 GPS suggestions

44 *Sell vehicular testing

batters, but rarely in brownie 92 It can sting

services?

mixes

47 Firework that doesn’t work 67 Key in some shortcuts

services?

49 Formerly known as

68 *Sell ski resorts?

97 Mandarin greeting

50 It’s a burden for prosecu-

71 Purple yam

99 Meta stat

tors

74 Brazil’s “Marvelous City,”

101 Close-fitting headwear

51 Hotel stat

for short

102 GOP adversary

52 Pupils might find it physi- 76 Furious

34 Inits. in reproductive health

103 Sully

cally exhausting

77 Trans-Himalayan river

105 Gutless sort

54 Purposes

78 Feature of distressed

107 *Sell cleaning equip-

55 ThirdLove product

jeans

ment?

58 Member of the 2022

79 Bills piling up?

111 Cain’s brother

82 Glacier bases, often

113 Feudal workers

84 Marsh

116 “Guess that’s true,”

leader

85 Kind of palm

casually

61 “___ Miserables”

86 Until reaching a conclu-

117 *Sell some writing?

62 Troy’s ordeal that ended

sion

120 Connect, as Bluetooth

29 *Sell plumbing inventory? World Series champs 60 Cheers from a cheer31 Spain’s “Imperial City” 33 Made a call, say

93 *Sell mental health

road 17 Combos 20 Mind reader’s “gift” 24 Certain healthcare pro 26 Game you might rush to play?

30 Midmonth date 32 CPR pro 34 Skewer 35 Deviates 37 Tavern tally 38 They take thinking to the highest degree (Abbr.)

39 Lean against 41 Speech given after swearing?

42 Daring deed 43 Loch ___ 45 Some WBA wins 46 Kraken’s home 48 Certain filler words

vis-a-vis tanks 70 Sister 72 Galoot

“RDB WCDZVP EV ZCYU Y GHTV ZVGG GHXVP GDDMW GHMV. AVWU HF LVYIV, YFPAV. H GDXV RDB, EYF.” UVAAR IAVZW DF YFPAV JAYBSCVA

“VJK GBOMYV MG VJK BISIOMCW PIIL VJTV RIZ’OK WMNKC, TCE RIZO DIP MG VI AMWZOK IZV JIH VI BISIO MV MC.”

73 Tantalus, to tantalize

DTUKG GYTEKO IC TBVMCW

75 “___ bin ein Berliner”

Puzzle Two Clue: A equals F

DOWN

69 Like wines aged in barrels

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

79 Eminem song about an obsessive fan 80 Doughnut shapes 81 Witness 83 Classic Jamaican genre 85 Knight’s title

“EMRAEFJUEYM XYWPR JU ULP PETLUL LYNF YV IJKYF, FJULPF ULJM JR J KYIU YNU YV ULP KINP.”

87 Freudian topic

XYWAYRPF BYLM GEIIEJWR

89 “___ the Kid” of the Pittsburgh Penguins 90 More than an A-lister

© 2023 NEA, Inc.

Puzzle Three Clue: X equals C

SELL IT! by Marshal Herrmann, edited by Jeff Chen

Puzzle One Clue: Z equals W

crossword

417957-1

at MANASOTA FLOORING INC

93 Journalist Diane 94 “Lion of ___” (Swiss monument) 95 Online rabble-rouser 96 Hem’s partner 98 Grounded 100 Roomba’s cousin that

sudoku

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

washes floors 104 “The Faerie Queene” woman 106 Like some Jordans 107 Dice indentations 108 Insurance org. for military families 109 Feature of a tennis shot 110 Castaway’s cry for help 111 Natural hairstyle 112 Car talk?

114 Guitar part 115 Certain tax data (Abbr.)

118 Winter candle scent 119 Item shelved around Christmas?

©2023 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

2-8-24

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

RED PAGES INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

Homes for Sale

redpages@yourobserver.com • yourobserver.com/redpages

Vacation/ Seasonal Rentals

DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at 2PM

WEEKLY MONTHLY

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

SEASONAL RATES

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.

CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

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.

Motorcycles

GOLD, SILVER BUYING w/ CASH. RETIRED INVESTOR Diamonds, Coins, Jewelry, Antiques. Free House Calls.

Discrete/ Confidential. Call David 813-439-2694 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

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

YourObserver.com/RedPages

5360 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Suite

5 ACRES Lake Barn Near Fruitville I-75 Call for Price

2BR/2BA BAYPORT Beach and Tennis Club. Perfect updated furnished condo with great rental potential. Beach to bay access, beautiful maintained grounds, and an amenity rich community. $714,000 (509) 948-9989 https://listing.thehoverbureau. com/bt/827_Bayport_way.html

Color background: $ 5 per week Ad border: as low as $3 per week

PLACE YOUR AD: Call: 941-955-4888 Email: RedPages@ YourObserver.com Online: YourObserver.com /RedPages

101

Bradenton: Condo, 2 bed, 2 bath$229,900 Pet friendly 55+ Sarasota: 3 Bed, 2 Bath, 1 Car Garage House $359,000

Longboat Key, FL 34228 Rental office 9a.m. - 5p.m.

M-F Ask about our special rates!

Wagner Realty

2/2 Condo Plantation Golf Club Venice, Call for Price

Since 1939

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

www.rentalsonlongboat.com

Pool Home, New windows, hvac, Completely Updated $699,000

Adult Care Services

Brooke O’Malley | Club Realty Call 941-726-2677

Rentals Wanted RENTAL WANTED Retired single individual looking for annual lease on Bay Isles condo or home. Non-smoker, no pet, dates flexible. 619-347-1888 / EL18@live.com

Visit the

RED PAGES

YourObserver.com/RedPages

Vacation/ Seasonal Rentals LONGBOAT KEY

Auto Transport

Lovely 3/2/2 furnished home w/ heated pool, dock, walk to beach.

Washer/dryer. Screened lanai.

New roof. No pets/no smoking.

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

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

Available Now! $4,500 / month.

Annual lease

SELL IT FAST!

Owner: 941-504-1492

Sarasota bay views, pool, 55+ Boat Docks Available

Bring your boat & sail away!!

Better Homes & Gardens Atchley Real Estate Cindy Foster (941) 374-1420 Lyn Riley (941) 225-5552

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

Call 941-383-3338.

Place Your Ad Online YourObserver.com/RedPages

EPIC HOME CARE Personal Care-Respite Care Alzheimer’s Care Light Cleaning Med Administration Meal Prep Shopping, Errands & More Call for a FREE Evaluation!

941-536-6372 Epichomecareprovider@gmail Rosa Torres- Owner

Painting CARLO DATTILO Painting Licensed & insured. Interior/ Exterior painting including drywall repair and retexturing.

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

Honest & reliable.

Free estimates. 941-744-1020.

35+ years experience.

SARASOTA INTERIOR PAINTING HIGH-END INTERIOR & EXTERIOR PAINTING WE ARE THE BEST!!!

Residential & Commercial.

Fully Insured.

CALL or TEXT Don 941-900-9398

GARAGE SALE

As low as $17.50 per week!

941-955-4888

Attorney

Condos/Apts. for Rent

941-955-4888

Visa/MC

1BR/1BA WHITNEY BEACH Enjoy daily a beautiful waterfront view onto Bishops Bayou where dolphin, manatee & pelicans feed. Recently renovated, fully furnished, contemporary condo at Whitney Beach. Realtor selected. $595,000 (770) 335-9211

2 bdrm - enclosed patio, furnished, $599k OLD MOTORCYCLES WANTED *1920-1999* ALL Makes & ModelsAny Condition! $ CASH PAID $ Call 845-389-3239 cyclesndmore10@gmail.com

wagnerlbkrentals@gmail.com

15% DISCOUNT FOR 4-WEEK RUN

2024 FEB AND MARCH. CALL TODAY...Rental on the beach Gulf Front Condo 2 Bed 2 Bath Furnished. $8,971 per month 941-321-8848 KW ON THE WATER

Auto Service

Divorce without Lawyers

SELL YOUR CAR! FAST • EASY • SAFE

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.

WE COME TO YOU

941.270.4400

5-Star Rated

HoHoBuysCars.com

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

419589

Merchandise Wanted

Condos/Apts. for Sale

1 bdrm - move in ready, remodeled, $449k

real estate

JAGUAR LAND ROVER FOLDABLE 20" FAT E BIKE Front light, dash board, 7 gear, range 30mi., max speed 27mph., pedal assist. Excellent style. Good for road, beach, or off trail. Has 1 mile. Cost $1,600.00, sale $1,000.00. (941) 960-2255

YourObserver.com/RedPages

WATERFRONT CONDOS Sarasota Harbor West Near Lido & St. Armands Circle

BAR STOOL, black w/tan cushion, in box $65, 5’ step stool $20, 2 metal folding chairs $10 239-671-2580

General Merchandise

941-955-4888

Reservations 941-383-5577

First 15 words ................... $ 15.00 per week Each add’l word .........25¢

Caregiver/Companion

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

William J. Leininger, JD

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

BOOST YOUR BUSINESS Showcase your products or services.

CALL 941-955-4888

24 Hour Care • Full Service Home Health Care www.tlchomecaresrq.com • (941) 320-9678 Now Hiring HHA’s & CNA’s

418539

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

Autos Wanted

FIND IT IN THE RED PAGES

Houses or Condos

4BR/2BA RENOVATED Longboat Key Canal home DEEDED BEACH ACCESS. Open Floor plan. NEW EVERYTHING, Roof, Impact Windows, Porcelain Floors, Boat & Kayak lift.

Tracy (813) 267-1312 Tracy@AgentSRQ.com

419576

Items Under $200

auto

stuff

2BR/1.5BA LONGBOAT KEY This apartment is nestled near nature park and short walk to private beach access. Easy access to Sarasota Bay and Bradenton. This is an annual rental. $2,500 (201) 681-7297

Between

home services

Condos/Apts. for Rent

Beachfront, Bayfront and In

RED PAGES AD RATES

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Insurance

MIC INSURANCE

Sliding Glass Door Repair

“FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE”

Patio Furniture Repairs.com 418540

Furniture Sales & Repairs Cushions • Slings • Re-powdercoating

GROW YOUR BUSINESS

418542

FREE PICKUP / DELIVERY • FREE ONSITE QUOTES

Res. | Com. | Lic. | Ins.

Formerly known as Sunrise Windows

STANDARD WINDOWS

Home • Condo • Auto • Umbrella • Boat • Flood

INCLUDING SCREENS, TR ACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

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

SPECIAL 00 5

$

Gardener On Call

Call to reserve your ad space: 941-955-4888

BLUE BOX

419925

SARASOTA INTERIOR PAINTING, LLC

High End Interior & Exterior Painting Services

Bathroom & Kitchen Remodeling • Concrete • Sheeting Drywall • Painting • Fence • Parquet • Stone Flooring • Tiles

CALL OR TEXT 941-900-9398 TODAY! OWNER: DON HUBIAK

GET YOUR LIFE BACK!

419921

FULLY INSURED • OWNER OPERATED

Health

Power Washing

Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

Pressure Washing

Pressure Washing ©2022 Universal Uclick

Honesty, Integrity and Pride • Roofs • Pool Cages • Decks • Driveways

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

Roofs • Pool Cages • Decks • Driveways ••Deck/Paver Sealing • Gutter Cleaning • Deck/PaverAnd Sealing • And Much More Much More!

Serving Sarasota/Manatee Area Since 2004

418823

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC

BEFORE

AFTER

941-544-1066 | scaperotta@aol.com Italian American Owned

Roofing

Midtown Medical Park 1215 S. East Ave. Suite 210 Sarasota, FL 34239

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc. Building & Roofing Contractor

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

418541

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

Home Services

Cleaning and Landscaping Handyman Services Home Watch Storm Preparation & Other Services

1/10/23, 10:25 AM

419592

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

peekers’ place

FREE CONSULTATION 941.358.2224

You’re only cheating yourself.

Give Us a Call - We Can Help

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

This week’s Crossword answers

Painting

419967

804.318.0022 | 941.279.5317

www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES 941- 284 - 5880

CALL 941-302-3933

H A N DY M A N

senior citizen discount.

PURIFIED WATER WINDOW CLEANING AVAIL ABLE!!

LANDSCAPING • LANDSCAPE CLEANUP • PRUNING • WEEDING Flowers, Palms, Container Gardening, Tree Trimming

Handyman

150

25 $

UP TO

Landscaping & Lawn

WITH THE RED PAGES

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “You showed me what a life well lived looks like. Rest in peace, Andre. I love you, man.”

Terry Crews, on Andre Braugher Puzzle Two Solution: “The script is the coloring book that you’re given, and your job is to figure out how to color it in.”

James Spader on acting Puzzle Three Solution: “Inspiration comes at the eighth hour of labor, rather than as a bolt out of the blue.”

Composer John Williams

This week’s Sudoku answers

chrome_qrcode_1671726737617.png

Transportation

BLACK LABEL CAR SERVICE

Luxury for Less

941-248-4734

10% off

Airports, Concerts, Dinners & Cruises www.towncarservicebradenton.com 410036

coquinaservices@gmail.com

419593

941-920-7065

418825

Licensed, Bonded, and Insured

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=rm&ogbl#search/royaltreasurecasino%40yahoo.com?projector=1

©2022 NEA, Inc.

1/1

Insurance

SECUR-ALL INSURANCE AGENCY

Sandra Smith | 941.383.3388

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

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

419591

Alex Demir

EXPERIENCE KNOWLEDGE SOLUTIONS

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

Furniture Repair

941-504-0903

Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

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

419590

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

Windows

419594

Doors

23B

24B

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Leading the market in 2024!

NEW LISTING

Wishing you Happy Holidays and Peace in the New Year!

NEW LISTING

TOP 0.5%

of 1.46M Realtors

Top Small Team Sarasota/Manatee Counties

$3+ Billion

GRAND BAY II - LONGBOAT KEY

$2,495,000

3040 GRAND BAY BLVD., #283 | 3BR/3BA | 2,550 SQ FT 8th Floor Sunrises over the Bay & City AND Sunsets on the Gulf of Mexico | Custom Updated Kitchen Built-In Office Area | New Porcelain Tile & Oak Wood Floors | Private Elevator Foyer Pet-Friendly Community

Career Sales Volume

Top 100 Agents RealTrends — All Florida

6401 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE NEW LISTING LONGBOAT KEY $5,875,000

54 Years

4BR/4BA | 3,037 SQ FT | 3-CAR GARAGE Custom Modern Masterpiece | 2022 Rebuild | Exquisite Outdoor Entertaining w/New Pool & Spa and Rooftop Lounge | Furnishings Available | Ready for Immediate Occupancy | All New Hurricane Impact Windows & Sliders | Full-Home Backup Generator

Combined Real Estate Experience

NEW LISTING

www.ackermansrq.com RYAN ACKERMAN (941)387-1818 (305) 205-7700

THE ACKERMAN GROUP

BARBARA ACKERMAN (941) 780-6045 (941)780-6045

941.387.1820

SABAL COVE - LONGBOAT KEY FAIRWAY BAY 3330 SABAL + DEN / 4 FULL EN SUITE & 2 HALF BA LONGBOAT KEY COVE LN. | 4BR $829,000

1922Wide HARBOURSIDE DR.,| High #1101 Ceilings | 2BR/2BA| TOWNHOME Lake Views Open | Kitchen | New Roof | Expansive Covered Patio Updated Kitchen & Baths | Finished Bonus & Recreational Area | Private 2-Car Garage Screened-In Pool and Spa A/C | 2-Car Garage Wood Floors | Fireplace | Resort-Style Amenities Private Beach Club Membership

NEW LISTING

LAWRENCE POINTE DOWNTOWN

NEW LISTING

$2,045,000 WATER CLUB I

101 SUNSET DR., #402 | 3BR/3BA | 2,179 SQ FT Direct Bay Front | Updated | Quiet Downtown Location | Low Condominium Fees | Under-Building Parking

$975,000

3080 GRAND BAY BLVD., #533 | 2BR/2BA | 1,329 SQ FT 2 Large Private Terraces | Rarely Available Capri Floor Plan | Floor-to-Ceiling Windows & Sliders 2 Garage Parking Spaces | Pet Friendly | Sunrise & Sunset Views

TANGERINE BAY CLUB

$4,900,000 ROYAL ST. ANDREW

1241 GULF OF MEXICO DR. #401 | 3BR/5BA | 3,400 SQ FT Panoramic Gulf Views | 3 Waterfront Terraces Private Elevator Lobby | All En-Suite Baths | Gated Pet-Friendly Community

GRAND BAY V - LONGBOAT KEY

CHEROKEE PARK WEST OF TRAIL

$1,899,900

555 S. GULFSTREAM AVE. #901/901A 3BR/2.5BA | 2,305 SQ FT | 9th Floor 1 & 1/2 Combined Residence | Gorgeous Bay & Sunset Views | Gourmet Kitchen

$5,985,000

1655 SOUTH DRIVE 5BR/5 FULL BA & 4.5 HALF BA | 6,355 SQ FT Luxury Estate Home | 2,000 Bottle Wine Room | Private Casita | Whole-Home Generator |Rear 3-Car Garage | Gourmet Cooks Kitchen | Resort Style Pool 15 FT Above Flood Impact Windows & Sliders

$1,195,000 EN PROVENCE

370 GULF OF MEXICO DR. #416 | 3BR/3.5BA | 2,476 SQ FT All New Hurricane Impact Doors and Windows New A/C | Gated Pet-Friendly Community | Excellent Amenities | 2-Car Garage

$2,885,000

$4,450,000 CONDO ON THE BAY TOWER II

2151 GULF OF MEXICO DR. #5 | 3BR/3BA | 3,400 SQ FT Outstanding Sunset Views | Gourmet Kitchen High Ceilings Private Elevator to Residence Wood Floors | Summer Kitchen

$1,395,000

988 BLVD OF THE ARTS #816 | 2BR/2BA | 1,555 SQ FT Incredible Bay, Bridge & Sunset Views Screened-In Tiled Waterfront Balcony | Custom Updates | Pet-Friendly Community

NEW PRICE

GRAND BAY I - LONGBOAT KEY

3060 GRAND BAY BLVD., #112 3BR/2BA | 2,250 SQ FT Completely Updated | Fully Furnished | NW Corner Residence Fet-Friendly | Socially Active Community | Private Beach Club | Resort Style Amenities

OAKS

GRAND BAY II - LONGBOAT KEY

3040 GRAND BAY BLVD., #221 3BR/3.5BA | 2,925 SQ FT Furnished | 2 Garage Parking Spaces | Wraparound Terrace | 10 FT Ceilings Pet-Friendly | Private Beach Club Resort Style Amenities

$1,695,000 GRAND BAY I

PENDING 360 NORTHSALE POINT RD. | 3BR/3.5BA | 2,913 SQ FT Brand New Construction | High Ceilings | Gourmet Kitchen w/ Center Island | 2-Car Detached Garage with EV Charger

PIERRE - LONGBOAT KEY

$2,249,000

$4,750,000

$2,125,000 CHEROKEE PARK

3060 GRAND BAY BLVD., #112 | 3BR/2BA | 2,250 SQ FT Completely Updated | 1st Floor Residence | Large Bayfront Terrace | Fully Furnished | NW Corner Residence | Pet-Friendly

THE SEA BREEZE - SIESTA KEY

$2,375,000

$2,900,000

$5,985,000

1655 SOUTH DR. 5BR/5 FULL BA & 4.5 HALF BA | 6,355 SQ FT | Luxury Estate Home | 2,000 Bottle Wine Room | Whole-Home Generator

LAWRENCE POINTE - DOWNTOWN

$2,169,000

9008 MIDNIGHT PASS RD., #5 | 3BR/3.5BA | 3,700 SQ FT 101 SUNSET DR., #402 | 3BR/3BA | 2,179 SQ FT 455 LONGBOAT CLUB RD, PH #4 Private 2-Car Garage & Roof Top Terrace | Full-Floor Penthouse Updated | Quiet Downtown Location | Low Condominium Fees 5BR/4.5BA + OFFICE l 1,100 SQ FT of TERRACE 10 FT Ceilings | 2 New A/C Units | Deeded Boat Dock Parking | Unobstructed Sunset Views 17 FT Ceilings l Year-round Sunrises & Sunsets I 360 Degree GRAND II Downtown, Siesta Key & John Ringling $2,330,000 SORRENTO SHORES - MAINLAND Under-Building $949,000 FAIRWAY BAY $829,000 Views of theBAY Gulf, Bay, 3040 GRAND BAYGuest BLVD., #221| 3BR/3.5BA | 2,925 SQ FT 449 SOUTH SHORE DR. | 3BR/3BA | 2,564 SQ FT 1922 HARBOURSIDE DR., #1101 | 2BR/2BA TOWNHOME Bridge I On-site Mgt, Suites, Fitness & More

Furnished | 2 Garage Parking Spaces | Wraparound Terrace Minutes to Siesta Key | Large Glass Sliders Outdoor Lap Pool ST. ARMANDS OFFICE LOCATIONw/Waterfall • 443 JOHN RINGLING BLVD., STE., |FSpacious | SARASOTA, 34236 10 FT Ceilings | Pet-Friendly | Quiet cul-de-sac Setting FamilyFLRoom

Updated Kitchen & Baths | Finished A/C Bonus and Recreational Area | Private 2-Car Garage

OPEN SAT & SUN 1-3 PM

$895,000 THE SEA BREEZE

3080 GRAND BAY BLVD., #533 | 2BR/2BA | 1,413 SQ FT 2 Large Private Terraces | Rarely Available Capri Floor Plan Floor-to-Ceiling Windows and Sliders

$2,900,000 CHEROKEE PARK

9008 MIDNIGHT PASS RD., #5 | 3BR/3.5BA | 3,700 SQ FT Private 2-Car Garage and Roof Top Terrace | Full-Floor Penthouse | 10 FT Ceilings

$2,350,000

1763 SOUTH DR. |3BR/2BA | 2,256 SQ FT Prime Location | 15,000 SF Fenced-In Lot | Oak & Tile Floors Large Screened Porch | Pool | 2-Car Detached Garage

ST. ARMANDS OFFICE LOCATION • 443 JOHN RINGLING BLVD., STE., F | SARASOTA, FL 34236

415553-1

GRAND BAY V