Longboat Observer 4.4.24

Walkway upgrades

The first pedestrian hybrid beacons are now up on Longboat Key.

Two of the hybrid beacons are on the island, one at Bayfront Park over to the beach access and another near Country Club Shores. The pedestrian hybrid beacons are crosswalks with masts that extend over the roadway. Pedestrians press a button that causes the signals on the mast to flash yellow before turning red, telling cars to stop. Director of Public Works Isaac Brownman said as of April 1 the beacons were operational after crews worked out a few minor issues. Brownman also said there are talks of a small “celebration” in the works to commemorate the crosswalks.

Fun Fore Friars

The Friars golf group hosted its annual dinner, “Fun Fore Friars” on March 26 at the Harbourside Ballroom at the Longboat Key Club. “Friars” stands for Friday Afternoon Recreational Society. There were 168 guests in attendance. Elaine Dabney started planning the event in June.

The event had a whimsical theme based on the movie, “Caddyshack.” For the event, Dabney built a replica of Rodney Dangerfield’s golf bag from the movie.

Friar Frank Sulzman stepped down after leading the Friars for six years. Chuck Eldridge is taking over for Sulzman.

“This is the biggest turnout we have ever had at this event,” said Sulzman. “We have grown a lot this year. We just enjoy playing together and getting to know everyone.” Honorees at the event included Sulzman and Matt Vito, who is the only founding member still playing with the Friars. The Flinter award was given to Harold Seegmiller for being the most outstanding Friar.

Courtesy image

The new pedestrian hybrid beacon near Bayfront Park.

Courtesy image Kevin and Heidi Berry Blessed

Roundabout redesign

The FDOT required Longboat Key to change course on the design after realizing the roadway banking would pose a problem.

The Broadway Roundabout is still on the way, but some recent changes recommended by the Florida Department of Transportation altered the scope and cost of the project.

completion according to Brownman. The project is also included in the FDOT’s five-year work plan, with a commitment of $1.68 million for construction.

Most, if not all, of the vegetation needs to be removed along the northwest side, closest to the beach entrance.

in the future.

Adding elements of a complete streets project was something that was more of the town’s idea, according to Brownman. Those elements include: 7-foot-wide buffered bike lanes, a 12-foot-wide multiuse path on the east side, medians and some potential landscaping on the west side.

Mayor Ken Schneier asked commissioners and staff if this project was still worth pursuing.

The project is also listed on the Manatee-Sarasota Metropolitan Planning Organization’s long range plan, something that Vice Mayor Mike Haycock said was a sign to press on.

“We don’t get projects on the priority list very often … I don’t think we should contemplate taking this off the list right now until we get the revised construction cost,” Haycock said.

Brownman also discussed the main purpose of the roundabout, which is to slow traffic and provide a safer crossing for pedestrians. That’s something that was the main reason for the project’s initial draw.

Not many alternatives exist for safer pedestrian crossing at intersections like Broadway Street and Gulf of Mexico Drive. Pedestrian hybrid beacons and other crosswalk signals can only be mid-block crosswalks, according to Brownman.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Plans for the project neared 100% completion when the FDOT stepped on the brakes last June.

The main issue was with the roadway banking, which is the way the road is angled to maintain friction for cars going around a curve. There were also concerns about drainage.

“Due to the FDOT requirements, the roadway project has increased probably about 300-400 feet, and the scope has significantly expanded,” Brownman said. The town had to fund a $158,000 redesign, which is now nearing 60%

Director of Public Works Isaac Brownman presented those changes to Longboat Key town commissioners at a workshop held on March 25. The changes mainly deal with adding complete streets elements, drainage and elevation improvements.  Brownman began working for the town of Longboat Key in 2017, by which time the Broadway Roundabout project was already in the works.

“The project will, in many ways, likely be more than that,” Brownman said, though exact estimates are still to be determined.

One of the changes in the new designs addresses the issue of roadway banking, and will change the road’s elevation.

This will make the interaction all one elevation, which means pedestrians won’t have to walk up and down a hill to cross Broadway Street. The elevation will be mainly increased on the southeast side, entering Whitney’s.

Flattening the road also means the road will need to be raised rather than flattening the road to its lowest point. The elevation will make the street more resilient but also impact the drainage.

That’s because that side of the road will need to accept most of the drainage, according to Brownman. The vegetation will have to be removed so the ditch can be regraded.

On the northeast side, by the Century 21 building, a type of retaining wall called a gravity wall will be installed. This exposed wall will help with the elevation changes in the road.

“To accomplish what FDOT is looking for, we have to touch about 1,900 feet of roadway, including the intersection,” Brownman said.

Because of the significant changes, Brownman said he is speaking with nearby property owners about the updates.

Most are still on board with the project, he said, though some vegetation mitigation may be approached

Brownman said engineers are finalizing the 60% design, which should be submitted to the town and FDOT this week. After hearing FDOT’s comments, the engineers will proceed to 90% design.

Following the completion of the design and receiving estimated construction costs, Brownman said he expects to go back to the FDOT to request more funding for the project given the expected cost increases.  Costs will be increased mainly because of more materials and disruptions to the roadway.

When construction starts, Brownman said the current estimate is a 12- to 14-month construction time frame. The election complicates construction significantly since only one side can be built at a time.

The goal is to maintain two lanes of traffic throughout construction.

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

Carter Weinhofer

The town of Longboat Key had to redesign a potential roundabout at the intersection of Broadway Street and Gulf of Mexico Drive.

The new Longboat Pass Bridge alternatives would be built just a few dozen feet away from Carla Smith’s bedroom window.

Her condo at Northgate is the closest to the proposed bridges.

She already keeps most of the windows in her house closed in the afternoons. She has to, she said, or else she’ll hear the constant commotion of cars entering and leaving Longboat Key.

Some days, she said the sound is “deafening.” She fears it will only get worse.

In the proposed bridge plans there’s also a pedestrian walkway, which will be almost at eye level with her window.

Ben Ghosh feels threatened, too.

He’s done his homework and marked the bounds of the 76-footwide proposed bridge with green tape around Northgate. Seeing the tape, Ghosh thinks that a new Longboat Pass Bridge would impact everyone in his north end community.

Northgate is one of the northernmost properties on Longboat Key, and it’s home for Ghosh.

With the Florida Department of Transportation’s proposed bridge projects for the Longboat Pass Bridge, Ghosh fears that his home and neighbors will be impacted.

The FDOT presented three new build alternatives to residents at a March 14 public workshop. All three alternatives would be about 76 feet wide and built to the west of the existing bridge. One would remove the drawbridge to become a fixed bridge.

The width of a new bridge would be like the length of two telephone poles.

The high fixed bridge alternative would be about 78 feet above the mean high water line, tying it for the fifth-highest bridge in Florida. By comparison, the Ringling Bridge is 65 feet high.

“It’s our home being threatened,” Ghosh said.

But for him, it’s more than just four walls and a roof over his head.

“It’s always been such an important part of my identity in life,” he added.

Ghosh’s grandfather, Henry Abuza, built the Northgate building in 1978. Now, the property at 490 North Shore Road is home to about nine residents with a total of nine condos.

Most of the residents have a clear view of Coquina Beach from the back windows of the condos. On that beach, Ghosh married his wife, Amanda Gray. The couple then had their wedding rehearsal dinner in the parking lot of Northgate.

Like Ghosh, Northgate has a generational history for Smith.

“This place is very special to me,” Smith said.

She moved to Northgate about 45 years ago when she was 15 years old. Her parents moved the family into the unit in which she lives now and later added a second story.

It was an investment, she said. One that she hopes she doesn’t have to leave.

“This is heartbreaking for our families,” Smith said.

Smith now has kids of her own, who are growing the family and hoping to continue the generational history. But Smith said she’s anxious to continue in her condo unit given the project.

Ghosh and Smith are fond of a small “beach” which is even closer to the bridge. Even with the noises of cars passing on the current bridge, the spot offers a place to enjoy nature and view Coquina Beach. A large tree in the spot frequently makes for nesting grounds for ospreys and bald eagles, according to Ghosh.

Most of that spot enjoyed by Northgate residents would be gone with a new bridge.

NEED FOR CONSIDERATION

The Longboat Pass Bridge is a project that’s been on residents’ minds for a while, according to Ghosh.

He attended the virtual workshop held on March 12, in which he learned the details of the alternatives.  Ghosh said the FDOT did not notify residents as to how close the proposed bridge solutions would be to the community.

Then he attended the in-person workshop on March 14, where he spoke with several FDOT representatives.

“They were not willing to acknowledge that the proposals had a negative impact on our community,” Ghosh said. “They also offered to provide additional information as a follow-up, which we have not seen.”

Ghosh and Smith aren’t antibridge. But they both said they believe more consideration should be given to how this project would impact the north end community.

Ghosh also hoped the FDOT would

consider the recommendations residents sent in a letter three years ago.

In April 2021, the Longboat Key North community group sent a letter to FDOT Project Manager Patrick Bateman to “begin a dialogue” about the fact that a new bridge would be located to the east or west of the existing bridge.

“Both of those options present significant issues, including pedestrian safety, that we believe will result in ongoing, lengthy and unhealthy debate among neighbors/ neighborhoods. Sooner or later there will be winners … and losers,” the letter stated.

Ghosh said he believes this first letter was ignored.

Co-Chair of Longboat Key North Maureen Merrigan sent another letter to Bateman on March 21, stressing the importance of more consideration.

While Merrigan is in favor of extending the life of the existing bridge, she said, “If the bridge is to be replaced, only the lower bridge would fit the scale of the community and surrounding areas.”

“The proposed width of the bridge in each of the new build options is excessive,” she continued in the letter. “The expansive width will increase the cost of the project unnecessarily and impact the vegetation, noise barriers and adjacent residential property.”

Like Merrigan, resident Jim Haft is also opposed to the highest bridge alternative.  Haft is on the board of the Land’s End Homeowners Association, a community on the opposite side of the Longboat Pass Bridge. The community includes 14 properties.

For the Land’s End Community, Haft said most residents favor a lower bridge, rather than the high fixed bridge.

“For those really close to it, like those at Northgate, they’ll be looking up at this enormous expanse of concrete,” Haft said. “The other issue about the fixed bridge is it’s going to be very dangerous for pedestrians and bikers.”

With Longboat Key’s median age around 71 years old, Haft said getting up the slope of a high fixed bridge more than 70 feet in the air would

present a challenge to many.

Since the March 14 workshop, Ghosh has attended a Town Commission meeting with his family and invited town officials to see for themselves. Town Manager Howard Tipton, Director of Public Works Isaac Brownman and some town commissioners have visited Northgate since.

“I was happy with their attentiveness to the issue and the proposed ideas that they suggested,” Ghosh said.

According to Ghosh, the town officials who visited Northgate offered to facilitate discussions between residents and the FDOT, attend further meetings with Longboat Key North and will be able to take a stance as a town as an opinion for the FDOT.

Next steps in the process for the FDOT will be to evaluate the comments received from the workshop and residents. Project documents will be finalized and made available for a public hearing tentatively planned for 2025, according to an emailed statement from Bateman.

“The No-Build Alternative remains a viable option throughout the study process,” Bateman said in the statement. But the statement also said the no-build alternative could

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

Carla

The Town of Longboat Key is accepting applications for appointment to the following boards: Citizens Tax Oversight Committee Planning and Zoning Board Zoning Board of Adjustment Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization Citizen Advisory Committee

All applications must be submitted to the Office of the Town Clerk by 12:00 p.m. on April 26, 2024. All applicants must be registered voters of the Town of Longboat Key. Late applications will be held for one year for any future board or committee vacancies that may arise.

All members of the Consolidated Retirement System Board of Trustees, Planning and Zoning Board, and Zoning Board of Adjustment are required to file a financial disclosure form within 30 days after appointment and annually thereafter for the duration of the appointment as required by Florida Statutes Chapter 112.

The Town Commission may schedule a Meet and Greet with applicants at a later date. Please call the Office of the Town Clerk at 941-316-1999 to request an application or for any questions. Applications are also available online at: www.longboatkey.org.

Completed applications may be submitted to: Town of Longboat Key – Office of the Town Clerk 501 Bay Isles Road Longboat Key FL 34228

Stephanie Janney, Administrative Assistant

Published: 04-04-2024, 04-18-2024

Regardless of your religious affiliation or faith, we invite you to join us for a meaningful and interactive Seder including Haggadah readings, insights & music. Surrounded by the company of friends, family and neighbors, you’ll enjoy gourmet catered cuisine in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Reservations are required by April 12 at Noon. $90 per person. (Children under 12 are FREE).

RSVP: www.longboatkeytemple.org/seder or call 941-383-3428 to pay by phone Caterer: Michaels on East of Sarasota

New Pass protection

After about four months of work, structural construction wrapped up at the start of March.

Arefurbished and stronger

Pass Groin

May you be blessed with peace and happiness.

Keeping a groin structure tight is important to prevent beach erosion. This project added rock, as well as brought existing rocks tighter, to hopefully limit the amount of sand that passes through.

Overall, this project helps to keep the sand where it’s intended to be. It also helps to keep the sand from accreting in New Pass, a popular channel for boaters in Sarasota Bay.

As a part of the tightening project, Sea & Shoreline installed about 160 tons of underlayer stone and 150 tons of armor stone.

The crew also inserted about 1,500 square yards of geotextile material and 710 square yards of geogrid material, according to the company’s website.

of Public Works

said that the crew finished all

the structural work and final surveys were underway. In all, the project took about four months to complete after beginning in November 2023.  The project cost about $489,415, according to a previous report from Director of Public Works Isaac Brownman.

The groin was originally installed back in the 1970s and was reconstructed in 1998. It was time for another repair and to tighten the structure.

Geogrid and geotextile materials are both synthetic materials used to stabilize soils and rocks. Geotextile is more of a fabric than geogrid, which is sturdier.

Both of the materials will help to keep the groin in place and make it less permeable. But the groin will still be semi-permeable to maintain the natural flow of the gulf.

The tightening project was originally supposed to start in January 2023, but after a holdup with the permits, work had to wait until after the 2023 turtle season wrapped.

Courtesy image

Construction on the New Pass Groin was completed in early March 2024.

Town backs bigger library

An enhanced library would be nearly 10,000 square feet, part of which will require private funding.

It was time to give Sarasota County some final direction on the public library project.

At the April 1 commission meeting, Town Manager Howard Tipton and staff asked commissioners to provide an agreed upon direction to give to the county as design concepts are finalized this month. Support Services Director Carolyn Brown led the presentation on April 1. Brown has been the town’s lead on the project.

She recapped that at the March 18 meeting, Tipton mentioned the potential at the Whitney Plaza Community Center, which takes on some of the need for community space.

Brown also summarized Sarasota County’s previous presentation about core library elements and the enhancement suggestions.

The core library space will be about 8,000 square feet and include a lobby, collections space, community meeting space, public computers and room for offices.

Proposed enhancements bring the building to about 9,700 square feet, adding more space to the community meeting area and an exterior deck.  Sarasota County will incur the cost of the core library construction, and the town will be responsible for raising funds for the enhancements through private donors. The county will be responsible for operating costs once the library is up and running.

MEETING ROOM SPECIFICS

At the March 18 meeting, commissioners asked the architects to provide an estimate as to how much the occupancy of the meeting room will change with different configurations.

Here is what was presented on April 1:

Core Meeting Space

„ 77 people with theater

seating

„ 56 people with banquetstyle round tables

„ 38 people with a large square meeting

„

48 people with a classroom configuration

Enhanced Meeting Space

„ 200 people with theater

seating

„

128 people with banquetstyle round tables

„ 60 people with a large square meeting

„

126 people with a classroom configuration

One of the key topics throughout the previous meetings was the enhanced community meeting space.

Brown said the architects may be able to increase the size of the enhanced room to accommodate up to 256 people in row seating, rather than the previous estimate of 200 people.

That’s still unfinalized, Brown said, for more work needs to be done to assess the impacts.

Aside from that, the elements of the library had not changed since the March 18 meeting.

Tipton clarified for commissioners that the direction needed was whether or not to go forward with the larger enhanced vision.

“We (staff) are recommending that we pursue the largest reasonable space that can be provided,” Tipton

said. District 5 Commissioner Sarah Karon discussed ideas for the aesthetics of the building and said she hopes the architects will take into account the elliptical nature of the park and existing pathway.

She also recommended that the county include space for a Friends of the Library program early in the design rather than try to fit it in later.

Vice Mayor Mike Haycock said that the county promised a lot of programming for the library, much of which won’t be possible without an enhanced meeting space. He suggested this could lead to future discussions about a larger financial contribution from the county down the road.

Commissioner-At-Large BJ Bishop agreed.

“What (the county is) suggesting is programs that will need larger space than what they’re creating,” Bishop said. “I would probably urge those who are doing the negotiating with the county to ask the county to provide for what they plan on providing to the public.”

Some commissioners also added that mindful scheduling will be necessary to account for parking.

For instance, it wouldn’t be wise to

schedule a large library event on the same day as an event at the Tennis Center or Temple Beth Israel.

Former Longboat Key Mayor and Chairman of the Longboat Key Foundation Jim Brown provided the only public comment on the matter. He asked why these types of conversations weren’t happening months ago, and he said he doesn’t believe the larger, enhanced library is what the people want. Rather, he said the community center element should be explored on a separate site.

Mayor Ken Schneier expressed his disappointment about Jim Brown’s change in attitude toward the project.

“I’m disappointed in your comments tonight, because I thought that we were going to be able to count on you as a participant in this project to get it right,” Schneier said. “I’m afraid there has been some backsliding since the last time you and I spoke, which is unfortunate, because this project is gonna go forward. We’re going to do the best that we possibly can for this town.”

Schneier added that he hopes Jim Brown can become part of the project again down the road.  Commissioners reached a consensus to advocate for the largest rea-

sonable enhancements and await a more refined design from the architects.

After those are finalized, the construction manager will provide a cost estimate, which will give a breakdown of how much is needed for the enhancements.

In Carolyn Brown’s presentation, she said the Library Foundation for Sarasota County will serve as the fundraising arm for the enhancements and that fundraising will need to occur from May to August to make the project happen.

Karon currently serves as the president of the Library Foundation for Sarasota County.

Schneier said that if not all the required funds are raised in this period, it might be an opportunity for further conversation with the county.

“We’re going to do the best we can to raise the money we can,” Schneier said. “And, if for some reason we fall a little short of what’s necessary, we’re going to talk to (the county).”

NEXT STEPS Carolyn Brown said the architects expect to have concepts finalized by mid-to-late April.

Courtesy image

An early concept drawing shows the potential size of the enhanced library building.

Town commissioners debated over how much optional freeboard to allow after a change in FEMA flood maps.

2-foot and the 4-foot options, and said that the Planning and Zoning Board recommended the optional 4 feet to do more for property owners.

After discussion at that meeting, commissioners voted to move forward with the 2-foot option and direct staff to begin exploring the additional 2 feet in select areas of the town.  Parsons brought back a little more information to the second hearing on April 1, including sea level rise prediction graphics prepared by Aptim.

allowing for property owners to include up to 3 feet of freeboard — two optional feet on top of the required 1 foot.

An option to allow two more feet of freeboard — 4 feet total — was also on the table, but commissioners needed more research and development for that ordinance.

Base flood elevation (BFE) is the estimated level of surface water expected during a 100-year base flood event. Freeboard is a safety feature of floodplain management and is added on top of the BFE height to equal a property’s design flood elevation.

In January, Planning, Zoning, & Building Director Allen Parsons presented the new flood control maps for Sarasota County as prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Those maps generally had a decrease of 2 feet of base flood elevation recommendations across the town.

FEMA regularly updates the maps, and Manatee County received its own set of updates in 2021. Those maps showed a similar decrease, according to Parsons.

The Florida Building Code and the town’s code have a freeboard requirement of 1 foot, but Parsons said the Planning and Zoning Board put forth this ordinance to maintain the status quo after the new FEMA maps.

At a Town Commission meeting on March 4, Parsons presented both the

Those maps were more confusing than clarifying for commissioners, though, and CommissionerAt-Large BJ Bishop questioned the validity of the maps after seeing her own house was marked as one of the properties with higher elevation.

“I have no faith in where this map came from, but it’s not correct,” Bishop said.

But the ordinance at hand was to allow for the 2 feet of optional freeboard and direct staff to further explore the 4 feet option, possibly limiting it to low-lying areas.

That comes with another caveat — defining “low-lying.”

Low-lying properties would most likely be those with an elevation less than or equal to 3.5 feet above sea level. There was also discussion as to how that would be measured, either an average of the whole property or just at street level.

Bishop urged that if staff hold on the 4-foot option it be explored quickly before the commission enters summer recess.

Realistically, Parsons said the ordinance would go back to the Planning and Zoning Board in May. There are two voting meetings in June before the commission’s summer recess, which is enough for two public hearings.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the ordinance allowing for an additional 2 feet now and directed staff toward the 4-foot option.

Courtesy image

The design flood elevation (DFE) is measured to the bottom of the lowest habitable floor and is a combination of the required base flood elevation (BFE) and freeboard.

Community consideration

Town embarks on budget planning phase with local organizations’ input.

Longboat Key town commissioners and staff began the planning process for the upcoming budget cycle with a special workshop on April 1. Large community groups were invited to present key goals and objectives before the commission.

“This is the first community that I’ve been a part of where you actually have this opportunity,” Town Manager Howard Tipton said. “It is one of the great things of Longboat Key, the connectedness between the residents and the commission.”

After this workshop, commissioners have a strategic planning retreat on April 15, which will further fuel the path to the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget.

“It’s the beginning of a threemonth intensive period here in the town where we listen to members of the public,” Mayor Ken Schneier said. “This is the first instance of that — hearing your ideas, the major groups in town, about what you’d like to see on our agenda for key items to address.”

Commissioners heard each community group’s concerns and comments and discussed what could be done to address some key issues. Among common concerns were traffic, flooding, infrastructure and community center space.

Co-Chair of Longboat Key North Paul Hylbert told commissioners that the group sees infrastructure, street flooding, canal dredging and Gulfside Road beach solutions as key issues to address in both the short term and long term.

Hylbert also said the group is engaged in being active community voices in projects like the Broadway

Street Roundabout and the Whitney Plaza Community Center.

President of The Federation of Longboat Key Condominiums Margie Clarke also emphasized the importance of beach preservation and canal maintenance programs.

Terri Driver presented on behalf of the Longboat Key Green Team and said she feels Longboat Key could be a leader in environmental initiatives. Among those, she suggested the town should further explore batterypowered landscaping equipment and mangrove enforcement.

Susan Phillips said that the Longboat Key Garden Club is focused on continuing partnerships and that the club is interested in a master plan for landscaping at the Town Center Green.

“This is the first instance of that — hearing your ideas, the major groups in town, about what you’d like to see on our agenda for key items to address.”

— Ken Schneier, Longboat Key mayor

Longboat Key Turtle Watch President Tim Thurman told commissioners that Longboat Key remains among the top three highest areas for turtle hatchling disorientation in the state and that the organization is working with code enforcement on earlier preventative patrols for lighting infractions.  Commissioners wanted to see more data on the disorientations to explore potential solutions.  Suzy Brenner, executive director of The Paradise Center, emphasized that the center should be involved in conversations about the Whitney Plaza Community Center and the Sarasota County Longboat Key Library projects.

Ready, set … give!

Philanthropy is like a sport in Sarasota-Manatee. It is no surprise Sarasota has its own Super Bowl of giving. Turn on your generosity engine.

OFrom noon Tuesday, April 9, to noon Wednesday, April 10, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County will host the 2024 Giving Challenge, a 24-hour online giving event that has provided more than $75 million in funding since its inception in 2012.

While giving days are common, like Giving Tuesday, a global giving day that occurs annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, the Giving Challenge is unique to Sarasota. What sets the Giving Challenge apart from others is the Community Foundation’s partnership with the Patterson Foundation. It provides an unlimited match up to $100 on all donations given.

Over the past eight Giving Challenges, the Patterson Foundation’s match has provided a stunning amount of more than $30 million, nearly half of all the funding.

Meant to incentivize donor participation, the Patterson Foundation gave $334,000 in matching funds in the first four minutes of the Giving Challenge’s first year in 2012. A decade later, the Patterson Foundation’s participation evolved to a one-to-one match on all unique donations from $25 to $100 that totaled $6,088,115 in 2022.

Patterson Foundation President and CEO Debra Jacobs recalls that in its initial year there was much speculation on how the Giving Challenge would work. Some seasoned fundraisers thought it would backfire.

“The telling moment was when we did a Giving Challenge during COVID,” said Jacobs. “It turned out to be the smartest thing to do, because we could do a virtual campaign. It was the highest giving ever, raising more than $19 million. Never underestimate giving — givers want to give.”

The Patterson match has incentivized donors indeed. Realizing the opportunity to double their dollars, Joe and Mary Kay Henson, gave $100 to all 667 nonprofits that participated in the 2022 Giving Challenge, donating $66,700 that became $133,400. In hopes of inspiring others to follow suit, the Hensons have committed again to give $100 to each of the 728 nonprofits participating in the 2024 Giving Challenge.

The Hensons’ commitment launched what the Community Foundation is calling the “100 Percent Club.” Advisers to the Frank G. Berlin Foundation, a component fund at the Community Foundation, and trustees managing the H. Gladstone McKeon Trust have likewise committed to giving $100 to each of the nonprofits participating in the 2024 Giving Challenge. The three gift commitments with the Patterson match will become $436,800. That makes a record-setting start to the Giving Challenge before it even begins.

Roxie Jerde, president and CEO of the Community Foundation, said, “The three entities that have stepped up believe that the non-

BEST GIVING CHALLENGE PHOTO CONTEST

Submit a photo that captures the fun and excitement of the 2024 Giving Challenge for your chance to win $250 for the 20 nonprofits with the most public votes for their photo submission.

Submission: April 9 to 16

Voting: April 17 to May 1 Visit: YourObserver.com/ giving-challenge/

profit sector is vital to our community, and they are demonstrating that by supporting every nonprofit participating. It’s very inspiring to me.”

Jerde also credits the Patterson board of directors and Jacobs for having the courage to provide a match not knowing what the final number will total. “It’s an informed risk, with no cap on the match,” Jacobs said.

“Every one of those 700 organizations can blitz this thing and then we would have a serious conversation and decision around budget time. It’s giving power to the organizations and people to be as generous as they like only with $100.”

The matching funds don’t stop there. Many organizations have leveraged additional matching funds from their own donors to increase giving. The Senior Friendship Centers has secured an additional $150,000 from its own donors to triple the impact.

The Bay Park Conservancy is also utilizing a previously announced community challenge match from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation to triple $100 donations, as well as individual donors who have committed to matching dollars raised during specific hours of the 24-hour giving event. (Full disclosure: I serve on the Bay Conservancy board.) What’s more, plenty of partners are providing prize opportunities. The Community Foundation has partnered with the Manatee Community Foundation and William G. and Marie Selby Foundation and multiple media partners (includ-

ing the Observer) to provide nearly 200 additional prizes that total $138,400.

The Observer is hosting the Best Giving Challenge Photo contest that will award a $250 prize each to the 20 nonprofit organizations that receive the most public votes for their 2024 Giving Challenge photo submissions. (See the accompanying box on how to participate.)

While the Giving Challenge is an excellent opportunity for nonprofits to receive additional unrestricted operational dollars, the Community Foundation holds each group accountable by requiring participating nonprofits to have updated profiles in the Giving Partner.

TheGivingPartner.org is a searchable, online database that includes information about an organization’s cause area, mission, financials, board governance, etc. The profiles also ensure that the nonprofits are 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) organizations in good standing with the IRS.

“Nonprofits have to be committed about being transparent about all aspects of their operation,” Jerde says. “It speaks a lot in itself for the nonprofits that take the time and effort to take part in this.”

The Giving Challenge will last only 24 hours, but the Community Foundation and nonprofits have been preparing for the big day for more than a year. As soon as the 2024 date was announced in March 2023, the Community Foundation has hosted multiple webinars, workshops and open houses on topics such as “Five Mental Fitness Tools to Enhance Leadership Resilience and Raise More Money,” donor stewardship and social media marketing.

So, get some rest, eat your Wheaties and set your browser’s bookmark to GivingChallenge. org and “be the one,” as the Giving Challenge’s tagline suggests, to help push the 2024 total dollars raised to more than 2022’s $16,204,718.

Jacobs suggests keeping an eye on the leaderboard that showcases what organizations have raised the most dollars. “There’s something enticing about that leaderboard,” she said. “It’s like a potato chip — you can’t just eat one.”

BY THE NUMBERS

$25

Minimum gift to be matched by the Patterson Foundation

$100

Maximum gift to be matched by the Patterson Foundation

109

Nonprofits that participated in the first Giving Challenge in 2012

178

Prizes eligible to nonprofits in 2024

728

Nonprofits participating in the 2024 Giving Challenge. See the full list at GivingChallenge. org.

$14,356

Average dollar amount raised by each nonprofit in the 2022 Giving Challenge

$30,178,754

Dollars matched by the Patterson Foundation over the last eight Giving Challenges

Courtesy image

A direct mail piece from Catholic Charities is one example of how nonprofit organizations are marketing to current and potential donors about the 2024 Giving Challenge.

EMILY WALSH

Friends of Manatee County Animal Services submitted this photo of Manny, a recipient of heartworm treatment during the 2022 Giving Challenge.

Opinion page needs new management

efforts of this community and its elected representatives to create the best town center we can.

Better yet, maybe it’s time finally for you to turn over the editorial page of the otherwise excellent Observer to more responsible management.

— KEN SCHNEIER MAYOR OF LONGBOAT KEY

Won’t get fooled again

I’m sorry this has become personal.  When I first read Matt Walsh’s full-page editorial (“It was always a done deal,” March 28) chastising the town, and me in particular, for engaging in a conspiracy to develop a Sarasota County library and community center on Longboat Key (of all things!), I just assumed it was a part of the Observer’s April Fool’s edition.   Sadly, not so.   In an unfortunate déjà vu, like this paper’s small but critical role in scuttling the town’s 2019 plan to create an Arts, Cultural and Education Center in partnership with Ringling College of Art and Design, you think that you and you alone know what’s best for our town.

In my 12 years of volunteer service for the town, the last four (and next one) as mayor, I have taken every step and made every decision before me in what I believed to be the best interests of this community. I have had no agenda, no ax to grind and no benefit to gain.

I was shocked and disheartened five years ago when the Ringling project was shot down by your efforts and those of two (out of seven) commissioners. But Town Manager Tom Harmer and I set to work immediately to formulate a new plan that would preserve the idea of a town community center together with a new partner willing to fund most of its construction and all of its operations.

The result will be a Sarasota County Library and Community Center, the first on the Sarasota barrier islands, designed to meet the needs of our residents and guests.

As your editorial pointed out, this train is moving forward. You can get on board or step aside. Or, once again, you can try to frustrate the

It’s quite fitting that Park Golf Sarasota (formerly Ride Entertainment) head Jeff Koffman’s letter to the editor appeared in the Observer’s April Fools’ edition.

Mr. Koffman explained that his blatant attempt to fool area residents into “activating” beloved Ken Thompson Park by turning it into a commercial amusement center is being misunderstood.

Without offering any counterpoints, Mr. Koffman asks the “minority” of uninformed residents to trust that his original plan for a sky bar, ziplines, a sort of miniature-style golf course and a skyline-obliterating restaurant will “bring our community together in a spirit of collaborative decision making.”

Mr. Koffman’s own rendering of this ill-conceived, half-baked plan could have easily graced the cover of the Observer’s always entertaining April 1 edition, right alongside wiener dog racing at St. Armand’s Circle.

The majority of Sarasota and Longboat Key residents won’t be fooled, and urge the Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Board at its upcoming April 18 meeting to recommend no to this foolhardy farce to the Sarasota City Commission.

— BOB THILL SARASOTA

SEND US YOUR LETTERS

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

File image Ken Schneier, Mayor of Longboat Key

Divided on funding

City and county commissioners clash over the release of TIF funds for performing arts center architect contract.

Tax increment financing district funding for development of The Bay park continues to garner full support of Sarasota city and county governments. As for the would-be crown jewel of the city-owned, 53-acre park, perhaps not so much.

During the March 29 meeting of the Bay Park Improvement Board, a panel that represents both the city and county commissions, members unanimously recommended approval from both bodies of the fiscal year 2025 deposit into the Bay Park Trust Fund from TIF revenues collected —

the 50% public share of construction costs for Phase II of the project. Those deposits are estimated at $2.55 million each from the city and county.

A second request for the release of TIF funds for a contract between the city and the architecture firm selected to design the proposed Sarasota Performing Arts Center, which is included in the interlocal agreement for funding of The Bay project, highlighted a stark contrast between the city and the county.

Jennifer Jorgensen, the city’s governmental affairs director, requested the BPIB recommend to the city and county commissions approval of an “envelope” of $44 million for archi-

WHO’S ON BOARD?

The membership of the Bay Park Improvement Board.

Mark Smith, county commission, chair

Debbie Trice, city commission, vice chair

Liz Alpert, mayor

Ron Cutsinger, county commission

Jon Thaxton, community member

tectural services. The actual payment to Renzo Piano Building Workshop, the selected firm engaged in contract negotiations with the city, isn’t the full $44 million, Jorgensen explained. It would actually be around $35 million.

The remainder is a contingency for cost overruns or change orders. Of that $35 million — which at this time is an estimate — Renzo Piano will be responsible for hiring and paying the architect of record and all of the subcontractors such as landscape architects, geo-technology engineers, structural engineers and others.

The estimate was provided by The Paratus Group, the city’s consultant to the project.

At $44 million, the city and county would be responsible for $11 million each and the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation $22 million. The public funds are not from the tax base at large, but rather taxes assessed on the improved value of properties surrounding the Bay — such as The Quay — measured against the baseline of the 2019 property tax assessment.

County Commissioner Ron Cutsinger first questioned whether it was understood when the agreement was drafted that TIF revenues, which are collected by both the city and county, for The Bay also applied to a new performing arts center.

“I’ve been here from the beginning, commissioner, and all along it was anticipated that we would include having a new performing arts center as part of this entire project,” said Mayor Liz Alpert. “So yes, it was anticipated at the very beginning of this.”

As the conversation continued, the board at times conflated the parallel tracks of the work of the Purple Ribbon Committee for repurposing the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and that of the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation.

The latter is spearheading the effort to build a replacement for the Van Wezel and eventually start a capital campaign to fund 50% of the capital cost.

County Commissioner Mark Smith suggested waiting for the recommendation of the Purple Ribbon Committee before the city continues toward building the SPAC, for which the county’s TIF revenues will be responsible for 50% of the public cost of what has been estimated to be a $275 million project.

“I haven’t been convinced that a larger hall is actually necessary, so for me to suggest that we should send the architect on their way to even

start design or considering design of a new building, I’m not sure I could back until I see the Purple Ribbon Committee’s report on the existing building,” Smith said. “I just can’t support it.”

That report, however, isn’t due for another 18 months, Jorgensen said, and to keep the SPAC on track — and get the architect on board — negotiations must conclude soon.

City Commissioner Debbie Trice attempted to distinguish between the two missions.

“The future of the Van Wezel and the performing arts hall are separate and distinct, and we should consider them as separate decisions,” Trice said. “If the performing arts hall moves at the timeline that we anticipate it might not be ready for use for another seven or eight years, and any work that would need to be done on the Van Wezel to bring it up to resiliency wouldn’t be able to start until the new performing arts hall is ready for use.

“That might be 10 years from now. The way that Sarasota has been growing, I’m really sure that we can support both a 2,200-seat auditorium in the new hall and whatever size the renovated Van Wezel is.”

Both Cutsinger and Smith said they cannot make a recommendation to the full County Commission to approve TIF funds for the architect contract, Smith because he doesn’t see the need and Cutsinger because he is not yet fully informed of the issue.

Cutsinger said if the vote were held at that time he could not support the request, but that he would consider tabling the vote until the next meeting.

The previous meeting of the BPIB was held March 10. In 2023.

“How soon can we have the next meeting?” Alpert asked. “We can’t wait a year.”

The board unanimously voted to schedule another meeting within the next month. Jorgensen said that will be necessary to keep negotiators on schedule.

“We’d have to come back within the next month or so to be able to bring this in front of the county, bring this in front of the city and then bring the contract in front of the city as well,” she said.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

Courtesy image

A conceptual drawing of Sarasota’s bayfront with The Bay Master Plan and a new performing arts center in place.

3 Stores n Location Tuesday - Saturday n 10:00am - 5:00pm 2095 17th Street n Sarasota Building

Have large items to donate? Call to schedule your free pick up. (941) 444-5783 n www.habitatsrq.org

‘Portrait Ukraine’

Now at The Lexow Gallery, Allan Mestel’s photo project aims to create a connection between viewer and subject.

Local photographer Allan Mestel’s latest project is now on display at The Lexow Gallery in Sarasota.

The project, “Portrait Ukraine: Capturing Faces of Resistance Amid the Chaos of War,” will be on display until April 19 and spotlights over 30 photos from Mestel’s trips to Ukraine.

“The ‘Portrait Ukraine’ exhibition serves as a stark reminder of the dire conditions and ongoing challenges the Ukrainian people face, serving as a call to the world for more support,” a press release stated.

The portraits are meant to create a connection between the viewer and subject, and prompt the viewer to reflect on themes like the reality of war and shared humanity, according to the release.

“I define it almost as trying to create an encounter experience for the viewer, where you’re looking eye to eye with an individual and hopefully connecting emotionally with them,” Mestel told the Observer in September 2023.

Mestel’s portraits come from his most recent trip to Ukraine in September 2023, which he embarked upon alongside his colleague, photographer David Graham.

The two were in Ukraine from the end of August to early September visiting cities and small towns.

In September 2023, both recounted how this last trip differed from all the others. With the front line more solidified, Mestel and Graham said it was interesting to see how Ukrainians tried to continue their lives amid war.

Mestel’s work is ongoing, and he is planning his fourth trip to Ukraine.

Our vision is everyone deserves a decent place to live.

IF YOU GO

‘PORTRAIT UKRAINE’

Open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tuesdays through Fridays and 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Sundays. Through April 19 at Lexow Gallery, Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road. Free. Visit UUSRQ.org.

He hopes to get there in the first half

of 2024, according to the release. Originally from Canada, Mestel has a distinguished career in photojournalism and filmmaking. He moved to Florida in 2014 and opened a commercial photography studio. Mestel also co-owns Beach Fitness in Whitney Plaza on Longboat Key with his wife, Robyne.

His work for human rights and social justice movements has been featured in places like CNN, NBC and PBS.

Spotlight Ukraine is a volunteer initiative helping to promote Mestel’s gallery. The organization aims to support Ukraine and the Ukrainian people and supports Mestel’s work in documenting the stories of Ukrainians impacted by the war.

Courtesy image Mestel’s exhibition

Shop a curated selection of luxury brands presented by Bal Harbour Shops. Available for a limited time.

flashlights and found the

vessel.

said he was adrift in the vessel for over a day after some motor issues prohibited him from starting the vessel. He said he didn’t need any assistance from the police, but requested to tie up the vessel at a nearby dock until morning. The man called a rideshare service to get home.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27

ALREADY ON IT

5:27 p.m., 500 block of Harbour Cove Circle Officer Public Service: Officers were dispatched to a call regarding a pontoon boat that appeared to be sinking. Before arriving at the scene, an officer checked for previous reports of the boat and found one that listed the boat’s owner. The officer called the owner, who was aware of the situation and arranged for a tow.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27

RUNAWAY CRAB TRAPS

10:49 a.m., 600 block of Rountree Drive

THURSDAY, MARCH 28

SUSPICIOUS ROOM SERVICE

1:56 a.m., 6800 block of Pine Street

Suspicious Incident: A Longboat Key officer responded to this suspicious incident call in the middle of the night. Upon arrival at the scene, the officer spoke with a group of people who said they were staying in the main house while their grandmother was in the other house in the back. The group was hanging out by the pool and when they returned inside, two previously unmade beds were made.

About 20 minutes later, the group said they found the third bed was also made. They said they didn’t see anyone on the property, and believed the grandmother was intoxicated enough to be ruled out.

One of the family members also said she was in her closet and a cloud of dust came out from the overhead attic access. The officer searched the house and didn’t see any signs of forced entry or a disturbance. The call ended with a consensus that the grandmother could have possibly made the beds without the family’s knowledge.

Lost/Found Property: A citizen called police to investigate missing crab traps. When the officer arrived to speak with the caller, she said she set up several traps about two weeks prior and that she checked them weekly. On this day, the traps weren’t normal — one was missing and another was empty with no bait or crabs. She said one of her neighbors also claimed to be missing a crab trap, which was later confirmed to have drifted away. The caller said she was unsure if her trap was stolen, or if it drifted away with a strong current. The responding officer reached out to a marine patrol officer, who said crab traps often

LBK churches held Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter services for visitors and residents.

Five houses of worship on Longboat

Key celebrated Easter weekend March 28-31. Here are some snapshots from Easter around the island and how the churches ushered in the holiday.

The Longboat Island Chapel began its Easter celebration with a 6 p.m. Good Friday service on March 29. On Easter Sunday, the chapel had a sunrise service in its Fellowship Garden on March 31. The second service was at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary

Christ Church of Longboat Key had a communion service at 7:30 p.m. on Maundy Thursday, March 28. This service was titled “As We’ve Been Done to” to remember the Last Supper. The choir sang “Hope of the World.”

On March 29, Christ Church hosted a Tenebrae service for Good Friday. It was written by the Rev. Julia Piermont’s husband, Dennis Piermont, as a “Shadows of the Passion,” a dramatic retelling of the drama leading to Jesus’ crucifixion using narratives from scripture with musical commentary. The Easter Sunday service was at 10 a.m. on March 31 with the choir, organ and trumpet.

The Maundy Thursday services started Easter weekend for St. Armands Key Lutheran Church on March 28. It had services at noon and 7 p.m. Good Friday services on March 29 were at noon and 7 p.m. as well.

For people who couldn’t attend church on Sunday, the church had a 7 p.m. Easter Vigil service on March 30. Easter Sunday began at 7 a.m. in the garden. The second garden service was at 10 a.m.

In the sanctuary, there were two services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. These were accompanied by a full choir, festive brass and timpani. The Rev. Ken Blyth presided.

Pastor David Marshall presided over Easter weekend services. All Angels started with its Maundy Thursday services at 4 p.m. on March 28. The Good Friday service was at noon. Easter Sunday was celebrated at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. with a full choir and trumpet.

Holy Thursday started the Easter weekend at St. Mary, Star of the Sea with a 4 p.m. Mass on March 28.

At the “Mass of the Lord’s Supper,” St. Mary re-created the washing of the feet from the Bible.

On Good Friday, the Stations of the Cross started at noon on March 29.

The Good Friday service started at 3 p.m. with “Venerations of the Cross” liturgy. On Holy Saturday, parishioners brought their Easter baskets to have them blessed by Father Robert Dziedziak.

The Easter Vigil Mass was at 6 p.m. on March 30. Easter Sunday Mass was held at 7 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on March 31.

Courtesy image Longboat Island Chapel celebrates Easter at its 10 a.m. service. Petra Rivera

The Rev. Julia Piermont at the Good Friday service. Petra Rivera

The All Angels By the Sea Choir on Easter Sunday. Petra Rivera

Father Robert Dziedziak during Easter Sunday Mass Petra Rivera

The Rev. Ken Blyth leads the 10 a.m. garden service.

PETRA RIVERA STAFF WRITER

with an orchestra.

LONGBOAT ISLAND CHAPEL

ST. ARMANDS KEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

CHRIST CHURCH OF LONGBOAT KEY

ALL ANGELS BY THE SEA EPISCOPAL CHURCH

ST. MARY, STAR OF THE SEA CATHOLIC CHURCH

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Egg-cellent Easter party

Families return to Longboat Key every year to spend Easter weekend with the Easter Bunny and hunt for eggs.

The party was hopping at Sand Cay Beach Resort on Easter weekend. Sand Cay hosted its annual Easter party at 9 a.m. on March 29. Families from all over the country return every year to spend Easter weekend for the Easter party thrown by the Sand Cay team.

This was Resort Assistant Manager Melissa Ciolino’s ninth year putting on this event. The Sand Cay Easter team includes General Manager Lyn Sorensen, Heather Diggins and Sara Whitney.  Ciolino said this is the biggest annual event at Sand Cay because of the families that come back every year. Sand Cay started planning for the Easter party in December.

She shared that the families are the ones that make the event fun and successful. Some of the children are second or third-generation since their parents and grandparents came to the Sand Cay Easter event as children too.

“Our boys love discovering the eggs and being with the Easter Bunny. And Sand Cay is right on the Gulf. We love that we can walk right out to the beach.”

— Robert Reese

more of a challenge. Everyone wins in the end though because the Sand Cay team made sure to order enough baskets for everyone to receive one.

After the hunt was finished, children headed to play on the water slide and the inflatable bouncy houses. Families headed to the beach for a stroll before the lunch catered by Publix. The Easter Bunny also made an appearance.

The party started early Good Friday morning with an Easter egg hunt. Children of all ages spread out across the Sand Cay pool and courtyard looking for the brightly colored eggs. The incentive to find the golden eggs was high since the golden eggs were the ticket to getting first pick of the Easter baskets. Some eggs were easy to discover for the younger ones. For the pre-teens and teenagers, there were eggs to find that provided

“One of the boys here, I have known him since he was little and his family just keeps coming back,” said Ciolino. “I cannot believe he is so big now, but that is one of my favorite parts of this event. We get to see great kids come back every year and watch them grow up.”

“We have only been here for two years, but I love that this has become our Easter tradition,” said Robert Reese, a renter at Sand Cay. “It is the perfect way to spend Easter. Our boys love discovering the eggs and being with the Easter Bunny. And Sand Cay is right on the Gulf. We love that we can walk right out to the beach. It was also great weather this weekend. We always have the best time.”

PETRA RIVERA STAFF WRITER

Photos by Petra Rivera

Blake Ricci, Kiera Bourke and Leighton Ricci at the Sand Cay Beach Resort Easter party.

The water slide and inflatable bouncy house were popular.

Quinn, Keira and Kellan Sedlacek with the Easter Bunny

Mikey Lepczyk plays on the bounce house.

Prayer and paintings

All Angels Gallery will be displaying Christine Hales’ Byzantine-inspired art from April 7 to June 28.

Iconographer Christine Hales’ first icon exhibit on Longboat Key will open April 7 at the All Angels By The Sea Episcopal Church Gallery.

Over 20 Byzantine-style icons painted by Hales will be displayed.  “Iconography is all about bringing prayer into your art practice,” said Hales. “It brought me closer to God in a new way and allowed me to maintain my prayer practice consistently and on a deeper level. I’m very inspired by the technique of the most famous iconographer, Andrei Rublev. He was all about combining your breath, and your prayer with what you’re doing with your paintbrush.”  Originally from Boston, Hales graduated from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design with a bachelor’s in painting and art education. She got her master’s degree in art therapy from the College of

“In a convent in France, I met an iconographer named Sister Miriam.She explained to me about icons and it just changed my whole world.”

IF YOU GO

CHRISTINE HALES’ ICON

EXHIBIT

Where: 563 Bay Isles Road

When: Opens April 7 to June 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays. (No Sundays in June)

Her artist reception will be at 11:15 a.m. on April 14.

New Rochelle. Before discovering iconography, Hales was a contemporary painter.  After getting married, she and her husband in 1994 spent time exploring France and England and visiting different monasteries.

“In a convent in France, I met an iconographer named Sister Miriam,” said Hales. “She explained to me about icons and it just changed my whole world. It just seemed to encompass great art. Before that, I was not really floundering, but my direction was not clear. So icons gave me clarity of purpose.”

Hales began studying iconography that same year with private teachers and through her own practice. She specializes in combining traditional Byzantine icons with modern contemporary art and themes.

Hales said that Byzantine iconography started in the sixth century. It uses ancient materials such as dried powdered pigments, gold-leaf gilding and rich, deep color sets.

Her process starts with prayer and meditation in the morning before she goes to her art studio. She said that reading the Bible and prayer inspires her art daily. She also incorporates current events and situations happening in her everyday life.

“We modern artists have a lot to

learn from these icons,” said Hales. “They really encapsulate what I think is all the best in art. What I find challenging for today is that the Byzantine art reflected the needs of the people at that time. So when we copy Byzantine art, we’re copying what was important to them. The challenge today is to create icons that reflect what’s important to us in the 21st century.”

Hales moved to Sarasota in 2019. Her icons are displayed in churches, colleges and private collections across the country. She wrote a book on the art of iconography titled “Eyes of Fire.” She also teaches iconography classes remotely.

“This is my first exhibit on Longboat Key so I’m really looking forward to sharing it with everyone there,” said Hales. “I haven’t done a big exhibit of my icons for quite a while here in Sarasota. It is right in time for the Easter season so I want people to be able to take away a feeling of peace and comfort from it. I’d like them to look at everything and walk away feeling really good.”

PETRA RIVERA STAFF WRITER

Photos by Petra Rivera

Christine Hales’ icon exhibit will be at All Angels Gallery and opens on April 7.

— Christine Hales

All Angels Gallery is hosting Christine Hales’s Icon exhibit from April 7 to June 28.

on March 30. This event was rescheduled to that day from the original March 16 date due to inclement weather. The Sarasota/ Manatee branch of Bank of America was the presenting sponsor for the series.

Sales opened for SoulRcoaster as people arrived at the venue.

has been together as a band for 15 years. Tony Rizzo is a founding member and the lead guitarist. Sheri Nadelman is the lead singer and plays acoustic rhythm guitar. Jim Klein plays bass guitar, Mike Poncelet plays the keyboard, Joe Hornberger plays the electronic drums and Art Nadelman is their sound and stage technician.

Rizzo said that they started as a smooth jazz band that came together gradually. They now play a variety of music from classic rock to Motown, ballads, disco, country and today’s top hits.

Sheri Nadelman of SoulRcoaster

Photos by Petra Rivera

Suzie Krohn, Barbara Lieber, Kathy Krohn and Patti Bosco

Debbie White

“We actually break our Lenten fast today on Saturday, so we celebrate big for Easter with baskets like these and lots of good food,” said Pettinato. “We are having a big party tonight on Holy Saturday, and it’s basically a party all weekend.” —

Diana Kryszak

Photos by Petra Rivera

Father Robert Dziedziak and Irene and Tim Vincent

Donna Pettinato

Sunset Beach

Walking in faith

Bonnie Daiello wanted to take the time to “smell the roses,” after she was shaken by a recent cardiac arrest.

“It was very important for me to do it,” said Daiello, who was among the hundreds in attendance at the Stations of the Cross walk on the morning of Good Friday, March 29. “It meant a lot.” A Good Friday tradition in countries around the world, the walk grew out of the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem and involves a journey between 14 stations along a path that represent different stages in the story of Jesus’ passion and death.

Established in Sarasota by the Men’s Breakfast Prayer Group at Church of the Redeemer in 1996, the event is held jointly by the church and the Sarasota Ministerial Association, while also involving clergy from different area congregations.

Although it originally took place on the church grounds, the walk grew in attendance and came to encompass the current route from Regal Hollywood to Church of the Redeemer. — IAN SWABY

Joshua Santos, 14, and his father, Fernando Santos, came from Cathedral Church of St. Luke in Orlando to attend the walk.

Photos by Ian Swaby

The Rev. David M. Svihel leads the walk.

Dave and Nancy Morgan

The crowd proceeds down Main Street.

Ahome on Lido Beach tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Douglas Libertore, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 160 Bryant Drive to Thomas and Jane Freeman, of Sarasota, for $8,995,000. Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, fiveand-a-half baths, a pool and 5,486 square feet of living area.

her home at 350 N. Shore Road to Joseph Angello and Katharine Halper-Angello, of New York City, for $1.8 million. Built in 1966, it has three bedrooms, one-and-a-half baths and 1,878 square feet of living area. It sold for $310,000 in 1998.

LONGBOAT SANDPIPERS

JJS&S LLC sold the Unit 201 condominium at 5635 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Michael Concannon III and Susan Concannon, trustees, of Madison, Connecticut, for $1.23 million. Built in 1980, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,786 square feet of living area. It sold for $780,000 in 2003.

QUEEN’S HARBOUR

Joseph Contorno and Elaine Linker, of Charlotte, North Carolina, sold their home at 3527 Fair Oaks Lane to Richard and Faith Morningstar, of Marin, Massachusetts, for $2,547,500. Built in 1994, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,154 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,399,000 in 2021.

Nicholas Etten, of Wilmette, Illinois, sold the home at 3590 Fair Oaks Lane to Kristine and Karl Kazmierczak, of Longboat Key, for $2.5 million. Built in 1995, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,957 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,185,000 in 2002.

GRAND BAY

Matthew Rammes, trustee, sold the Unit 221 condominium at 3040 Grand Bay Blvd. to William Shaheen, trustee, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for $2.18 million. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,781 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.55 million in 2017.

LONG BEACH REVISED

Barry Walsh, of Longboat Key, sold

TANGERINE BAY CLUB

Mark and Marcia Sherwin, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 415 condominium at 370 Gulf of Mexico Drive to David and Anne Alden, of Villanova, Pennsylvania, for $1.1 million. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,380 square feet of living area. It sold for $680,000 in 2003.

Rebecca Blanton sold her Unit 416 condominium at 370 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Mildred Castrucci, trustee, of Longboat Key, for $975,000. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,476 square feet of living area. It sold for $395,000 in 1994.

WINDWARD BAY

William and Kathleen Colantano, of Lebanon, New Jersey, sold their Unit PH-1 condominium at 4540 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Robert and Sally Wilson, of Sahuarita, Arizona, for $837,500. Built in 1975, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,337 square feet of living area. It sold for $429,000 in 2015.

LIDO SURF AND SAND Kevin and Nicole Glass, of Long-

SEAPLACE

Judith Achre, trustee, of Indianapolis, sold the Unit M2-210-C condominium at 1945 Gulf of Mexico Drive to David Moelker and Pamela Moelker, trustees, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, for $715,000. Built in 1978, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 928 square feet of living area. It sold for $225,000 in 1998.

Michael and Maureen O’Hare, of Manchester, United Kingdom, sold their Unit G6-202-A condominium at 1955 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Edward and Susan Devine, of Fox Point, Wisconsin, for $490,000. Built in 1978, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,257 square feet of living area. It sold for $349,000 in 2008.

SUTTON PLACE Mary Jo Woodward, trustee, of Tampa, sold the Unit T-8 condominium at 515 Sutton Place to University II Gas Station LLC for $550,000. Built in 1972, it has one bedroom, one bath and 1,450 square feet of living area. It sold for $293,000 in 2013.

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

1-3 p.m. at Christ Church of Longboat Key, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Please join Christ Church congregants as they come together to pack seeds, which are sent worldwide to feed the hungry in our world. Many of the seeds are sent to Haiti. This is the last packing event until October. Call 383-1731 to reserve your place.

BEST BET

APRIL 6-7

36TH ANNUAL SAILFEST REGATTA

1-3 p.m. at Sarasota Sailing Squadron, 1717 Ken Thompson Parkway. Sarasota Youth Sailing will hold its largest sailing and fundraising event of the year, the 36th Annual SailFest Regatta. This longstanding event draws more than 200 sailors and their families to the Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Register at RegattaNetwork.com/Event/27414#_ Home.

RECURRING EVENTS

MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY LONGBOAT LIBRARY

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., MondayFriday. 555 Bay Isles Road. Call 383-2011.

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.) It runs until the end of May. 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 min-

utes 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.

GENTLE CHAIR YOGA

From 9-10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Remain stabilized in a chair and enjoy all the benefits of traditional yoga with certified yoga teacher Emme Shapiro. Join anytime on a prorated basis. Pay as you go, members $13; nonmembers $15. Eight sessions: members $95; non-members $110. Call 383-8222 or email EdCenter@LongboatKeyTemple.org.

TUESDAYS YOGA

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

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