Longboat Observer 7.18.24

LONGBOAT

Observer

Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978

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PAGE 20

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

FREE • THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

VOLUME 46, NO. 48

YOUR TOWN

AGE IS JUST A NUMBER

At 84 years old, this Longboat comedian is relishing his second, or maybe third, act.

SEE PAGE 19

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Alyssa Adamson and baby Eliana

Special afterparty

Newborn Eliana Adamson is a fresh face at the Longboat Island Chapel.

Eliana is chapel member Alyssa Adamson’s third child, whom she had on May 26.

The chapel threw her a baby shower after the Sunday service on July 14.

Adamson started as a soloist at the chapel, but she is now the new choir director. She is taking over for Maurice Overholt, who is leaving Aug. 4.

Member June Hessel said the chapel loves to throw parties like this because it’s fun to mingle after services and encourage more children at the church.

Chapel members showered Adamson with flowers and gifts for Eliana.

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Longboat plans to mitigate infrastructure impacts on seagrass by planting several acres of vegetation.

­Holistic health of bay Seagrass plays a vital role in the bay’s ecosystem, and LBK is set to plant more.

SEE PAGE 3

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Terri Driver with a rescued great blue heron.

Pitching in

Terri Driver was on her normal patrol for Longboat Key Turtle Watch on July 7 when she came across an area with a lot of foliage and branches scattered around. Then she heard a bird cry out for help.

Driver realized it was a great blue heron, but in terrible condition. It tried to swim away, but it couldn’t, she said.

She called Save Our Seabirds, but the facility wasn’t open yet, so she called her friends Ray and Heather Sellers for help.

Before help arrived, Driver said she saw the bird still had plenty of energy, so she approached cautiously. A seasoned turtle patroller, she was prepared with a pair of scissors. She snipped some of the fishing line that was restricting the bird and kept it steady on the shore until the Sellers arrived.

Turtle tracks LONGBOAT July 7-July 13 2024 Nests 110 False crawls 203

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Comedian Cliff Hornsby takes the stage as “Gerry Atric” at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre.

Trips around the bend New data shows how the Gulfstream roundabout affects traffic flowing off the Key. PAGE 5

2023 66 62

Totals since April 21 2024 2023 Nests 1,174 913 False crawls 1,755 1,191 Source: Mote Marine Laboratory

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Traffic circulates around the roundabout at U.S. 41 and Gulfstream Avenue.

Hair raiser PAGE 15

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

Back on staff Carter Weinhofer

Chris Kopp is the town’s new support services director.

Former code enforcement officer returns to LBK as new support services director.

Kopp spent three years with the town’s Code Enforcement Department before leaving in 2023 to work for Manatee County. There, he became the workforce development manager for the Human Resources Department.

He spent a year and a couple of months there, and while he valued his time there, he still missed being a part of Longboat Key. “I started day one, on a Monday, and then on Tuesday, I immediately had kind of that regret and wanting to come back,” Kopp said. “But I enjoyed my time over there.”

His first day back with Longboat

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

R

eturning to work for the town of Longboat Key felt like a homecoming for Chris Kopp.

Kopp recently took over the role of support services director after a little more than a year working for Manatee County. Before his time with the county, Kopp worked for the town’s Code Enforcement Department.

“When this position (support services director), that opportunity, came back open, it was definitely something I jumped on,” Kopp said.

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Key was July 1, and he had about a week to shadow former Director Carolyn Brown, who retired from the position. Being able to see some old co-workers and familiar faces in Longboat Key was part of the reason Kopp was ready to come back.

“What you put on paper in a job description is nothing compared to the community you work for, the community you work with. That’s something the town of Longboat Key cannot put in the job description, and why I came back,” Kopp said.

The support services director role touches almost every other department in the town. It will also look a little different, now incorporating risk management while handing Public Tennis Center duties off to the Public Works Department.

The department as a whole does

exactly what the title suggests: supports other departments.

“My role is to support them; it’s to support the town manager,” Kopp said. “And then, ultimately, to support the citizens and the commissioners to make the town move forward.”

One of the things Kopp hopes to accomplish is to implement an internal and external dashboard that will allow residents and staff to see what’s going on within the town.

“I want to make sure that our citizens and our internal staff understand what’s going on, the insides and outsides of the town,” Kopp said.

“I want to make sure that our citizens can visually see what our town is doing for them.”

He said the goal is to make the dashboard easy to understand with metrics that outline each goal. This will include things like public safety response times, current projects out to bid and financial transactions.

It’s about public transparency as much as it is about project management and efficiency for town staff, Kopp said.

Even though Longboat Key’s staff is small, Kopp said a lot gets accomplished, and it will be effective to have a dashboard where all the projects are displayed and trackable.

“There’s a lot of moving pieces in such a small town,” Kopp said. “We have just as much as our surrounding counties; we just do it smaller, and I think we do it better.”

PASSION FOR PUBLIC SERVICE

Kopp graduated from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, before entering the Marine Corps for eight years.

After his service, he became a police officer for 15 years and, during that period, started a company called Lockdown International. With that company, Kopp organized active shooter safety training courses for organizations across the country and developed a door barricade device.

In February 2018, a tragic school shooting occurred at Kopp’s alma mater. That hit close to home, he said, and it led him to speak on Capitol Hill to the Federal Commission on School Safety.

Lockdown International was doing well until the COVID-19 pandemic began, Kopp said. After the start of

“I want to make sure that our citizens and our internal staff understand what’s going on, the insides and outsides of the town. I want to make sure that our citizens can visually see what our town is doing for them.”

— Chris Kopp

the pandemic, fewer people wanted in-person training. Kopp and his family moved back to Florida, where he began working for the town as a code enforcement officer.

But the desire to continue training others was still in the front of his mind.

“Training was always my passion.

I absolutely love training,” Kopp said.

This passion ultimately led to his decision to try the role at Manatee County. Now, as support services director, Kopp will be involved with the onboarding process for town employees and continue that passion.

Kopp said that even while he was absent from Longboat Key’s staff, he stayed connected to the community.

“Even when I left Longboat Key, I gave out my personal cellphone,” Kopp said. “I still stayed in touch with people and it had nothing to do with the work, it was good people.

I made friends here, it wasn’t just a job.”

That connection included offering scam prevention courses at St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church.

Public service has always been a big part of Kopp’s life, he said, and something he shares with his family.

His wife is a teacher, and his sons are in public safety. On a day off, Kopp said he enjoys anything with his family, whether that’s trips to Disney or geocaching around the area.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

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GREEN beneath the surface Courtesy images

Two infrastructure projects require seagrass mitigation. If done properly, the planting will help boost Sarasota Bay’s fish habitat.

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

O

ne acre of seagrass can provide habitat for up to 40,000 fish, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and that same acre of seagrass can also offset the carbon emissions from one car’s annual travel by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Multiply that by 10, and that’s the estimated impact of 10 acres of seagrass, the acreage that Longboat Key may be required to mitigate as a part of two upcoming, necessary projects.

Longboat’s projects — canal dredging and subaqueous force main replacement — are in the town staff’s sights to get underway in fiscal year 2025. Specifically, the subaqueous force main is one that can’t wait any longer, and the town will need to take on debt to get the project underway.

Both of these projects, however, will require dredging the bottom of the recovering Sarasota Bay. Sarasota Bay’s water quality is the best it has been in nearly eight years, according to Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Executive Director Dave Tomasko.

Though the recent increase in seagrasses wasn’t caused by planting or mitigation projects, Tomasko said wastewater and stormwater projects are creating conditions good enough for seagrass mitigation projects to take root.

MARINE SANCTUARIES

Tomasko is eagerly waiting for the new seagrass maps from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The aerial photography was shot in 2024, but Tomasko said it will take until 2025 for the agency to interpret the images and deliver the official word.

Tomasko is hopeful. He expects

the report to validate his guess that hundreds of areas of seagrasses have ecovered in recent years.

Seagrasses are important marine ecosystems that support organisms like fish, urchins, sea turtles and manatees. Two of the most common Florida seagrass species — turtle grass and manatee grass — reflect seagrasses’ importance to these marine animals.

“This high level of production and biodiversity has led to the view that seagrass communities are the marine equivalent of tropical rainforests,” said an article from the FWC. Seagrass can support numerous fish, and Tomasko said that could be juvenile game fish or smaller fish that become food for larger organisms and support the ecosystem at large.

Seagrass meadows are also important blue carbon sources, which means the organisms absorb carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere. Tomasko said some studies estimate an acre of seagrass can offset a typical car’s carbon dioxide emissions in a year.

This characteristic also helps offset the impacts of ocean acidification.

“Ocean acidification is not good. It is happening; we’re seeing evidence of it,” Tomasko said. “And seagrass meadows can offset that as well.”

Ocean acidification occurs when carbon dioxide reacts with water molecules to create carbonic acid, which lowers the pH of the water. A lower pH means more acidic water, which spells trouble for coral reefs and juvenile filter feeders.

IDENTIFYING BIGGER PROBLEMS

With seagrasses proven to be important marine ecosystems, Tomasko said about $20 million has been allocated by the state for seagrass transplanting projects. While trans-

planting projects have value, Tomasko said planting projects shouldn’t become a red herring.

“My guess is we’re going to see hundreds of acres of seagrass come back when the (2025) maps come out, and we’re not planting any of it,” Tomasko said. “Reduce your pollutant loads, get your water quality to recover, and the seagrass comes back by itself.”

Seagrass growth corresponds directly with water quality, which also impacts available sunlight.

Tomasko said seagrass can grow at deeper depths in places with crystal clear water, but the reality is that Sarasota Bay doesn’t have that — which is not to say water quality in Sarasota Bay is bad.

stormwater retrofit project. This will retain stormwater flows in a treatment wetland for about two weeks to reduce nitrogen loads before flowing downstream.

Total nitrogen and dissolved inorganic nitrogen are two products of stormwater runoff that can affect seagrasses. Too much nitrogen can be problematic for seagrass growth and could promote the growth of algae, which blocks light, according to a 2000 study.

With water quality on the uptick and local governments committed to stormwater and wastewater projects, the underlying problems are on their way to being addressed. Tomasko said there’s a reason some seagrass isn’t growing in some areas: because these issues aren’t handled first.

ROOTS OF PROPER MITIGATION

“We know how important that pipeline is, but we also know that it’s going to be a destructive activity that has to be mitigated.

And if it’s done correctly, it could be a net positive for the bay.”

— Dave Tomasko, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program

To improve water quality, money is better spent on wastewater and stormwater improvement projects, according to Tomasko. One of his SBEP Director’s Notes from June 5 stated that local governments have committed to $400 million in projects in the next five years and $950 million in the next 10 years.

An example is the Bobby Jones Golf Course project, which will convert half of the course to use a regional

Longboat Key needs a new subaqueous force main pipe. The pipe runs under Sarasota Bay, and the mainland portion of the pipe was the cause of a 2020 sewage leak. The mainland replacement was completed in 2023, but new construction estimates for the underwater portion are close to $30 million.

For this project, the town is required by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to undertake eight acres of seagrass mitigation. That’s according to a memo from the Director of Public Works Isaac Brownman for a June 28 meeting.

No estimate of cost was given by the town department before publication.

Another upcoming project is the dredging of some Longboat canals to get the conditions back to baseline. The last time the canals were maintained was about 20 years ago, according to town staff. About $500,000 will be used in the upcoming fiscal year to get the project underway, but additional funding will be required the following year.

The canal dredging will require almost two acres of seagrass mitigation and early estimates price the mitigation at $3.8 million.

Mitigation can be costly, especially because the town’s role isn’t over after seagrass is planted. Jenna Phillips, with coastal engineering firm Cummins Cederberg, attended a June 17 commission meeting and said it’s easier to have one large mitigation area rather than small ones scattered all over the bay.

“Regardless of where you mitigate, you’re going to be required to maintain it in perpetuity. So that becomes really difficult when you start doing a little bit in a lot of different areas,” Phillips said.

Conditions for seagrass mitigation projects have to be near perfect, mainly regarding depth. Luckily, the town already has a permitted spot — an old pipe scar and an abandoned Intracoastal Waterway located off the coast of Joan M. Durante Park.

A seagrass mitigation project like this will first require sand to fill those dredged areas to a level where light can sufficiently penetrate the ocean surface.

“Any part of the bay that’s deeper than, say six feet, is going to have a little bit of a hard time supporting seagrass,” Tomasko said.

After sand fills in those areas to a depth where light can reach the bottom, a little bit of seagrass planting can go a long way.

“Take some of the seagrass that’s going to be pulled out and damaged and put it into the footprint of the pipeline that’s been raised to become a little shallower, and you may actually have a really good project,” Tomasko said.

Tomasko added that the SBEP already has a solid relationship with the town of Longboat Key, and the organization is ready to assist with these future projects. If all goes well, the improved wastewater pipe and seagrass mitigation projects could be another good project for bay health.

“We know how important that pipeline is, but we also know that it’s going to be a destructive activity that has to be mitigated,” Tomasko said.

“And if it’s done correctly, it could be a net positive for the bay.”

How seagrass helps ...

FISHERIES

COASTAL PROTECTION

Provide a suitable feeding and nursery ground for fish

Prevent coastal erosion and protect from flooding and storm surges

CLIMATE REGULATION

Store large amounts of carbon in biomass and sediments

OCEAN ACIDIFICATION BUFFER

Regulate the chemical composition of seawater, oxygenating water and buffering ocean acidification

STABILIZATION OF SEDIMENTS

Reduce the resuspension of fine sediment, improving water clarity

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

Commissioner kicks off turtle challenge lifetime warranty

Gary Coffin ‘adopts a nest,’ sparking a challenge to other local officials to do the same.

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ea turtle nesting season is in full swing on Longboat Key and across Florida, and District 1 Commissioner Gary Coffin said he wanted to do more for a cause that’s personal to him.

At the commission’s last meeting before the summer recess on June 28, Coffin told his fellow commissioners that he and his wife, Lynn, recently adopted a nest through the Longboat Key Turtle Watch. This put into motion the “Elected Officials Sea Turtle Nest Adoption Challenge,” something that LBKTW had never done before.

“What I wanted to do was to put the challenge out to all the commissioners statewide — and not just commissioners, but any elected officials — to help the local turtle patrol programs,” Coffin said.

Vice President of LBKTW Cyndi Seamon said when Coffin came to the organization with the idea, they worked together to form a plan. Town Clerk Trish Shinkle helped create a formal letter to be sent to neighboring jurisdictions to encourage other local officials.

The challenge calls on elected officials to take part in Coffin’s inaugural challenge by adopting a nest through local sea turtle patrol programs by donating $200. In the letter, Coffin said officials should take part in the initiative to promote environmental stewardship and community engagement. The letter also stated that officials who choose to take part should contact the Longboat Key’s Town Clerk office to be included on a press release, which will also be forwarded to the Florida League of Cities for its Quality Cities Magazine.

Coffin said the motivation behind

Courtesy image

his idea was to try to get the word out to as many other officials and members of the public as possible.

Sea turtle conservation is personal to him, Coffin said, having spent time volunteering at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. He also said that, while living on a barrier island, sea turtle nesting is a big part of the community.

Longboat Key Turtle Watch offers a couple of different ways for people to donate and get involved, including the “Sponsor a Nest” initiative.

For a minimum donation of $30, a donor’s name can be placed on the back of a stake at a turtle nesting site. The donor will also be informed of the location of the nest and sent a picture of the nest and stake. After it hatches, the donor will also receive an update on the success of the nest.

To “adopt” a nest, donors must contribute at least $125. For this, the donor will get their name on the back of a stake, be informed of the location, be given a picture of the nest and be notified of its success. Additionally, adopters will receive a video with a special thank you message from LBKTW. After the nest is excavated and the stakes are removed, the adopter will be given the named stake with a branded LBKTW logo and the year of the nest, as well as a LBKTW shirt.

For more info on Longboat Key Turtle Watch or the “Sponsor a Nest” program, visit LBKTurtleWatch.com.

Nest adopters will receive updates on the success of their nests.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

Circular flow Roundabout improves ­traffic flow from Longboat Key to Sarasota, according to FDOT data.

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

A

ccording to data from the Florida Department of Transportation, the Gulfstream roundabout is helping traffic flow efficiently off Longboat Key. The Gulfstream roundabout opened to traffic in late 2022 and was a part of a 2008-2010 Bayfront Connectivity Study. For Longboat Key residents, it’s a key connection from the island to Sarasota.

Neal Turner, an arterials engineer for the Florida Department of Transportation, compiled data to fulfill a request from Vice Mayor Mike ­Haycock.

In his role, Turner manages a group that oversees signal timings in FDOT’s District 1, observes and reports traffic trends and looks for ways to make roadways safer and more efficient, he said.

“We do what we can to make sure we’re reviewing it regularly and determining where there are inefficiencies and where we can make improvements,” Turner said.

The data and subsequent graphs reviewed travel times and volumes at peak hours during a day in spring break. Data from 2019 — pre-roundabout — was compared to data from 2024 and represented a route from Bay Isles Parkway to U.S. 41 at Gulfstream.

“We were pretty impressed by the data as well,” Turner said. “The focus was to find the peak of the peak.”

On March 20, 2024, travel time at peak hours — about 5 p.m. — was reduced by about 15 minutes.

To prove this wasn’t an outlier, Turner said he looked at the same data throughout that week in March,

which is typically a spring break week. He said the data showed a similar trend for every day of that week.

Traffic volume remains relatively static from 2019 to 2024, but is increased in some instances. Turner said this proves the effectiveness of the roundabout.

Data shows that the Gulfstream roundabout has been able to take on slightly higher volume than before with similar travel times, though some data points show a decreased travel time of a couple of minutes.

During the peak of the peak, though — like the data shown here — there are cases of a large reduction in travel time.

“Depending on what the system is, a roundabout can allow for more vehicles to get through the roundabout faster,” Turner said. “Not speeding faster, but they can move more efficiently … Once that movement gets flowing in a roundabout, that movement can sort of take command of the roundabout.”

Being able to take on a higher volume and keep traffic flowing has to do with a continuous traffic flow.

“With a standard traffic signal, you’ve got a certain amount of delay baked in where you have all red or yellow time,” Turner said. “You lose out on some efficiencies … A roundabout can bring in a more efficient use of all that time, and it also slows people down as well.”

Another function of a roundabout is to naturally slow down traffic. This helps with pedestrian safety, along with the pedestrian hybrid beacons that are placed around the Gulfstream roundabout.

“We’ve seen a lot more pedestrian activity, which, to us, is great,” Turner said. “That’s one of the things you want to see is that you’ve made it so that pedestrians feel comfortable.”

Landscaping doesn’t improve the flow of traffic, but Turner said it makes a roundabout more visually appealing compared to a standard traffic signal.

“It is kind of an attractor,” Turner said. “It looks pretty nice compared to a traffic signal; it’s a lot cleaner.”

File image

Traffic circulates around the new roundabout at U.S. 41 and Gulfstream Avenue on its first day of operation.

Time Time

Though Turner said his department doesn’t typically deal with communications with the public, he said he has heard positive reviews about the roundabout.

Some factors are out of the control of the roundabout and may slow down traffic and cause frustration,

he said, like heavy pedestrian traffic at St. Armands Circle or drawbridge openings.

Overall, though, Turner said the data shows the Gulfstream roundabout is efficiently moving traffic better than a traffic signal was.

FDOT provided data that indicates the roundabout has helped decrease travel time coming from Longboat Key.

FOR CITY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 2

Protecting Our Environment Improving water quality and investing in public spaces VOTELIZALPERT.COM

Liz is improving our environment by: Working with The Bay Park Conservancy to preserve and transform 53 acres of precious city owned land into an oasis.

Preserving over 300 acres of public land by voting to place a conservation easement over the Bobby Jones Golf Course and Nature Park.

Filtering our water before it goes into the Sarasota Bay by creating watersheds at The Bay and in the Bobby Jones Nature Park.

Leading the way for: • 100% renewable, zero emission energy sources by 2030 for municipal operations • 100 % renewable, zero emission energy sources by 2045 for the entire city Finding solutions for storm and climate change resiliency.

Making our Downtown more walkable while increasing transportation options such as the trolley, electric scooters and bikes, and dedicated bike lanes.

Paid for and Approved by Liz Alpert for Sarasota City Commission, District 2

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

COPS CORNER

Calling All

Pa rty Animals!

FRIDAY, JULY 5

DOUBLE-BOOK DILEMMA 10:11 p.m., 600 block of Cedars Court Officer Public Service: This call originally was received as a burglary call, and the responding officer met with the complainant on scene. The complainant said he was sleeping when an unknown person entered the locked residence. He also heard furniture moving. When the bedroom doorknob began to turn, the man said he started shouting and heard the unknown person leave. As the officer was speaking to the complainant, another man approached the officer.

This individual said he and his family had just gotten off a 19-hour flight and arrived at the rental unit, for which they were given the code and key to the unit. After he heard the complainant screaming, he quickly left the rental unit and waited in the parking lot while trying to contact property management.

The complainant said he could not find his paperwork, but had checked in with the rental office to receive the keys for his stay, which was to end the following morning. Both parties were upset to realize that the rental unit possibly was double-booked, and the newcomer said he and his family would find a hotel for the night.

SUNDAY, JULY 7

SEA TURTLE ETIQUETTE 1:05 a.m., 4000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Suspicious Vehicle: An officer on patrol noticed a vehicle parked in a business parking lot after hours. A quick observation proved the vehicle was unoccupied, but it was warm to the touch, and the officer saw a large quantity of fishing gear inside. Officers patrolled the nearby beach and found three men with white flashlights. As the officers approached and identified themselves, they saw the men switch the lights from white to red. The three then claimed to have known about the ordinances relating to light on the beach during turtle season. The officers advised the group about the lighting ordinances and beach hours, and the group was given citations for the lighting violations.

Sarasota’s Best Spot for Birthdays!

FRIDAY, JULY 5

CHIHUAHUA CHASE 9:03 p.m., 6300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Animal Problem: An officer responded to a report of an unleashed dog on the beach and, upon arrival, found a group of people with a Chihuahua on the beach. One of the men in the group told the officer that the dog had escaped from the rental property and they were trying to corral the dog. The owners eventually captured the Chihuahua and the owner was given a warning for the violation of having a dog on the beach.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10

MESSY MIX 12:17 p.m., 5300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Civil Disturbance: Dispatch sent an officer to investigate a possible threat made to an employee at a store. The complainant met with the officer and said a man entered the store and started a verbal altercation, later telling the complainant he would throw him into the Gulf of Mexico. The man also got into a verbal dispute with another employee, but no physical contact occurred and the man in question was not present when the officer arrived.

Upon further investigation, the officer discovered the man in question was the father of the store owner and that the store owner was having a relationship with the wife of one of the employees involved in the altercation. The employee and his wife were going through a divorce.

Neither the store owner nor his father were around when the officer arrived, and the officer deduced the elements of an assault weren’t met.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

The middle way Town commissioners recommend mid-level bascule bridge option for Longboat Pass.

THREE BUILD ALTERNATIVES n The lowest bridge option is a low-level bascule bridge that would be about 23 feet high and cost from $147 million to $158 million. n The midlevel bascule bridge would be 36 feet high and have a price tag of $153 million to $165 million. n The fixed-span alternative would be 78 feet high. All three alternatives would include a 90-foot-wide clearance for the channel compared to the existing 50-foot clearance.

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

L

ongboat Key town commissioners submitted a letter to the Florida Department of Transportation to formally recommend the community’s preference for a midlevel bascule Longboat Pass Bridge replacement.

A bascule bridge is a type of moveable bridge (i.e. a drawbridge) designed to handle heavy loads.

The discussion around Longboat Pass Bridge replacement alternatives heightened in March, after the FDOT’s public community input sessions where the three build alternatives — and a no-build option — were presented.

Since then, community members have come forward in opposition to the third option, a high-level fixed bridge with a clearance of 78 feet from the mean high water line.

Opposed community members include residents of the Northgate condominium complex because a new bridge would be built directly to the west of the existing one, thus creeping closer toward Northgate.

The existing Longboat Pass Bridge is 95 feet away from Northgate, and all the original alternatives would be around 36.5 feet away.

In June, FDOT representatives returned to Longboat Key for a Town Commission workshop, where commissioners had the opportunity to ask questions, and the public once again had a chance to voice concerns.

Additionally, FDOT suggested several suggestions for trimming the width of the bridge to decrease the impact on the Northgate community.

By the end of FDOT’s ­presentation,

commissioners seemed to be on the same page that the high-level fixed option was unfavorable, and they encouraged the FDOT representatives to look for those width reduction options.

The commission is now on summer recess, but, before the break, the commissioners gave input for Mayor Ken Schneier’s letter to the FDOT to officially voice their opinions to District 1 Secretary Lakshmikanth Nandam.

“We all understand that the current structure is beyond its useful life and needs to be replaced. The public meeting facilitated an informative session that allowed the Town Commission to come to a series of recommendations for your office to consider for this critical bridge replacement project for our community,” the letter stated.

The primary recommendation from the letter was to nix the fixedspan bridge, and Schneier said this option was wrong for several reasons, the first being the size.

Schneier stated the Longboat Pass Bridge appears to cover a shorter distance than the John Ringling Causeway but will be 13 feet higher.

The Longboat Pass Bridge project

12’ Shared-use path

12’ Shoulder

12’ Travel lane

12’ Travel lane

12’ Shoulder

76’-8”

12’ Shared-use path Courtesy image

Proposed lane configurations for Longboat Pass Bridge design alternatives

distance is 0.15 miles — or about 792 feet — according to the FDOT project website. The John Ringling Causeway Bridge is 3,097 feet in length and has a 65-foot clearance at high tide.

“That slope will be a significant challenge to many of our residents and visitors to walk or bike,” Schneier said in the letter.

Schneier pointed out that the slope of a 78-foot-high bridge over a shorter span than the John Ringling Causeway would be challenging for many of Longboat’s residents, and possibly cause safety concerns for bicyclists.

“Finally, a 78-foot-high fixed span would be inconsistent with the character of Longboat Key,” the letter stated. “One of the area’s few remaining residential communities immune to high-rises and hotel houses, Longboat has always been connected to its neighbors to the north and south by modest drawbridges over relatively narrow passes.”

With that, Schneier said the commission’s recommendation was the 36-foot-high midlevel bascule bridge. This, he said, would require minimal bridge openings every day and maximize traffic flow.

Schneier also encouraged FDOT to move forward with the recommen-

dations to reduce the bridge width by about 10 feet and continue to look for additional ways to cut the width while maintaining safety.

This also plays into the importance of ensuring how the bridge ties in with Gulf of Mexico Drive and limits the impact on the north-end community. Schneier said that the tie-in spot must be as close to the existing landing as possible.

Overall, Schneier said the commission is in favor of a build option but wants to ensure the bridge continues to reflect the community’s character.

“A bridge that best reflects the communities it connects while keeping biker, pedestrian and driver safety top of mind are complementary ideas our citizens and this commission support,” the letter stated.

DISCUSSION WITH NEIGHBORS

The Longboat Pass Bridge was the only item of new business for the latest Manasota League of Cities meeting on July 11. The league brings together elected officials from local municipalities, including the city of Sarasota, the city of North Port, the city of Bradenton Beach, the city of Holmes Beach, the city of Palmetto and the city of Venice.

Longboat Key Commissioner-At-

Large BJ Bishop, also Vice President of the Manasota League of Cities, brought up the bridge to inform the other members about the project and the town’s discussions about the recommendations.

Though she emphasized the Longboat Pass Bridge construction is at least a decade away, it’s important to have these conversations early.

“We have weighed in with further discussion here in Longboat because, while this bridge brings Bradenton Beach and Longboat Key together, on the south end of the bridge it literally is less than 60 feet from residential homes,” Bishop said.

Commissioner Deborah Scaccianoce from Bradenton Beach said she heard of the alternatives presented

by FDOT and was surprised.

“I was reading and looking over that report from FDOT, and I was just shaking my head the whole time,” Scaccianoce said. “Just ludacris, some of those recommendations, just the length of the bridge doesn’t even support some of that.”

The Project Development and Environment study for the Longboat Pass Bridge alternatives is expected to wrap up in winter 2025, when the department will seek approval of the location and design concept, according to the project website.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

OPINION / OUR VIEW

LONGBOAT

Can Buchanan be beaten?

Vern Buchanan is 12-0 in elections. But Eddie Speir, another little-known challenger, believes Buchanan’s RINO-ish voting record makes him vulnerable.

MATT WALSH

H

ere we are again. Every two years since 2006, former Michigan entrepreneur and Sarasota Ford dealer Vern Buchanan is running for Congress.

So far, comparatively speaking, you could say Buchanan has had the proverbial cake walk each time, except for his first election.

His record: 12-0 in primaries and general elections.

With the exception of his 369vote margin of victory over Democrat Christine Jennings in his entry into politics in 2006, Buchanan’s margins of victory ever since have never been below 53%. In the three primaries he has had against other Republicans from 2008 on, he won more than 80% of the votes. In his 2022 primary, he won 86%; 62% in the general, his highest margins.

What’s more, with money a leading determinant of whether a candidate has a chance, forget it.

Challenging Buchanan is like trying to break into a bank vault. The federal election system is so rigged in favor of incumbents, it truly is a miracle when a challenger unseats an entrenched incumbent.

Buchanan, for one, is listed as the seventh wealthiest member of Congress with a net worth of $157 million. And federal election records show he has taken in $4.5 million in contributions over the past two years, and through March he had $1.7 million in cash in his campaign bank account. As we said, a vault.

And yet, Buchanan, 73, has a Republican challenger — a firsttime candidate from Bradenton who is giving it his all to unseat Buchanan in the Aug. 20 primary.

Meet Eddie Speir, 55, a former Colorado software entrepreneur who moved to Bradenton in 2010 for his three children to attend IMG Academy; who is the founder and owner of the private, grades 6-12 Inspiration Academy in West Bradenton; and who is campaigning passionately that Buchanan is part of the political Establishment that has gotten us where we are.

Speir’s slogan: “To take down a RINO, you’re gonna need a Speir.”

It’s a longshot. A long longshot.

START WITH THE MONEY

If campaign money is the fuel to get a politician to D.C. and stay there, Speir has little chance to compete with Buchanan.

Take Spier’s campaign contributions. For 2023-24, through July 8, they totaled $1.1 million, with $522,000 coming from Speir himself as a personal loan. Records show 117 contributions made to his campaign, all individuals. Not a dime from a big political action committee.

Contrast that with Buchanan.

The past two years, he has received 732 contributions, with 61% (448) of them coming from mostly D.C.based PACs that read like a Who’s Who of Forbes 500 companies and industries. The biggest contributor: the Republican House PAC — WINRED, which funnels hundreds of millions of dollars to keep incumbents entrenched in their seats. WINRED alone has contrib-

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ELECTION ’24

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U.S. HOUSE-DISTRICT 16 uted $3.9 million to Buchanan.

Meanwhile, Buchanan himself, according to the Federal Election Commission records, hasn’t contributed a dime to his own campaign. He doesn’t need to.

A longtime veteran of SarasotaManatee politics told us it probably would take $10 million for any challenger to have a chance.

But even then, if Buchanan became at all worried, he would just open the money tap and flood District 16 with the tried-andtrue media blitzes directed by Max Goodman, Buchanan’s campaign consultant from the start of his political career.

Goodman is regarded as one of the savviest political consultants in Florida, an expert at emotional advertising that makes his candidate look human and likable and advertising that makes the opponent look unfit for dog catcher.

The veteran political observer estimated to us Buchanan and Goodman likely have spent close to $25 million since 2006 on advertising — probably twice the amount opponents have wasted. Try as they might to sink Buchanan with negative advertising, it hasn’t worked.

Buchanan just keeps going, barely above the radar, plodding through congressional votes as a moderate, rarely if ever drawing attention.

Buchanan has been in office so long he is now the longest-serving Republican congressional member from Florida and serves in Washington as co-chair of the Florida congressional delegation.

Suffice it to say, even if Buchanan is almost never interviewed on Fox News or by other national conservative media outlets the way, say, Sen. Rick Scott is, or the way Ron DeSantis was when he was in Congress, and even if most Floridians outside of his district don’t know anything Buchanan has done or stands for, Buchanan still has remarkable name recognition.

Especially in Manatee County.

Manatee’s staunch Republicans, where they outnumber Democrats almost 2-1, have carried Buchanan to all of his victories.

On top of that, in the last congressional redistricting, the Legislature gave Buchanan the gift of one of the safest Republican congressional districts in Florida.

Along with Manatee, Buchanan now represents southeast Hillsborough County, that county’s most conservative region. No longer does Buchanan have to tussle with a liberal Democrat from Sarasota.

SERIOUS VULNERABILITIES?

Despite these seemingly insurmountable advantages, Speir passionately believes Buchanan has serious vulnerabilities.

For one, wherever Speir campaigns, he raises the question with voters and Republican groups: How many of you have ever met Vern Buchanan or seen him in person? Particularly in Hillsborough

President and Publisher / Emily Walsh, EWalsh@YourObserver.com Executive Editor and COO / Kat Wingert, KWingert@YourObserver.com

File photo

Vern Buchanan celebrates his reelection in 2020 with one of his grandsons.

County, few hands go up.

This is a legitimate knock on the nine-term congressman — his low visibility in the district. As time has passed, Buchanan’s presence, especially among the hoi polloi at county fairs or other large public events, has waned.

At the start of a talk in June to the Riverview Republican Club, Speir said this of Buchanan: “If you’ve ever interacted with him, he doesn’t have a social personality.

He’s not engaging. He’s not a good speechwriter. He doesn’t inspire confidence.” Buchanan is famous in Sarasota and Manatee for meeting people for the third or fourth time and appearing as if it’s the first.

SPEIR: ENGAGE AND CONNECT

Speir, in contrast, has been on a whirlwind mission since he filed to run for office in June 2023. It started with his team of family members and colleagues from Inspiration Academy walking door-to-door all over Manatee and southern Hillsborough to gather the 5,300 signatures needed to qualify.

“I didn’t want to pay $10,000 to get on the ballot,” Speir told his Riverview audience. “I wanted to actually engage and connect with people.”

Gathering the signatures did two things: It raised his name recognition from zero to something and began his journey toward one of his goals — creating for his candidacy the largest Republican grassroots movement in Manatee political history. In his speeches, he claims it is.

Speir and his volunteers also took their petitions to grocery stores, public parks, the Social Security office, Premier Sports Complex, a chili cook-off in Parrish and the Manatee County Fair. At every one of these, except the fair, authorities booted out the volunteers.

In spite of the resistance, it worked. Speir submitted 6,100 signatures and qualified.

Attending events and speaking to Republican groups has kept apace. Speir keeps his itinerary on his website (EddieSpeirfForCongress.com). In the next 10 days: a candidate fair in Sun City; Tiger Bay Club debate, Bradenton; Sun City golf cart parade; and candidate meet and greet at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.

“It’s all about name recognition,”

BUCHANAN’S ELECTIONS 2006 General % of Vote Buchanan 50.1% Christine Jennings 49.9% 2008 General Buchanan 53.3% Christine Jennings 39.45% Jan Schneider 5.8% James Baldauf 1.35% 2010-Primary 84.0% Buchanan 15.9% James Baldauf 2010 General Buchanan 67.2% James Golden 32.8% 2012 General Buchanan 53.6% Keith Fitzgerald 46.4% 2014 General Buchanan 60.6% Henry Lawrence 38.9% 2016 Primary Buchanan 84.2% James Satcher 15.7% 2016 General Buchanan 57.1% 42.9% Jan Schneider 2018 General Buchanan 55% 45% David Shapiro 2020 General 56.7% Buchanan Margaret Good 43.3% 2022 Primary* Buchanan 86.5% Martin Hyde 13.5% 2022 General* 62.1% Buchanan Jan Schneider 37.9% Source: Supervisors of election * From 2006 to 2020, the district encompassed Manatee and Sarasota counties; in 2022 and now, the district included Manatee and southeast Hillsborough counties.

Courtesy image

Congressional candidate Eddie Speir

Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 — A vote to send additional foreign aid to Ukraine without any provisions for securing the Southern Border.

Buchanan: Yes. Freedom Caucus: No. ■ HJ Resolution 46 (2019) — A vote to support Trump and build the border wall.

Buchanan: Yes. Freedom Caucus: No. ■ HR 863 — Vote to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Buchanan: Yes. Freedom Caucus: No. ■ HR 7888 — Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act

— An amendment to the FISA bill that would require warrants before intelligence agencies can spy on Americans.

Buchanan: Yes. Freedom Caucus: No. ■ HR 4664 — Amendment 54 — To appropriate $300 million for a new FBI headquarters.

Buchanan: Yes. Freedom Caucus: No. ■ HR 8 — Background Checks Act of 2021 — Create universal background checks for gun ownership; outlaw private gun transfers.

Buchanan: Yes. Freedom Caucus: No. ■ HR 9 — Climate Action Now Act — Required President Trump to take environmental; policy actions

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Speir told us.

And getting the message across.

THE RINO WHO KEEPS WINNING

Speir’s messaging is focused on what he perceives as Buchanan’s weaknesses and Speir’s America First and constitutional patriotism.

On Buchanan, Speir’s themes are that Buchanan’s voting record proves he is too much of a liberal, a RINO big spender; that he is part of the entrenched Washington establishment responsible for the state of the country; and in spite of

SPEIR TAKES ISSUE WITH BUCHANAN’S VOTES ■ HR 8035 — Ukraine Security

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previously committed to under the Paris Climate Agreement; blocked Trump from leaving Paris Climate Agreement. Also referred to as the “Green New Deal Act.” Buchanan: Yes. Freedom Caucus: No. ■ HR 391 — Global Health Security Act of 2021 — To have the United States participate and fund increased global health systems and establish a pandemic preparedness fund. (Conservatives opposed this for the potential loss of U.S. sovereignty to the WHO.) Buchanan: Yes. Freedom Caucus: No. Source: EddieSpeirforCongress.com

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

HOW BUCHANAN RATES/RANKS Conservative D.C.-based think tanks, taxpayer and business organizations produce annual rankings and ratings of all congressional members based on their votes. Here is how they score Congressman Buchanan.

■ Council for Citizens Against Government Waste — 2022: 93% rating; “Taxpayer hero.”

■ Club for Growth — 2023 score: 84%; Lifetime score: 63%; Rank: 78 ■ National Taxpayers Union — 2023: 62% ■ American Conservative Union

Buchanan’s longevity in Congress, that Buchanan’s influence there is de minimis.

At the start of 2023, when Republicans took control of the House, Buchanan was the senior Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, the tax-writing and one of the most powerful committees in the House. His seniority put him in line to be chairman. What’s more, Buchanan had proven himself a loyal party man, raising $4 million in contributions for the 2022 elections; and, Florida had the secondlargest Republican delegation in Congress. A nice portfolio.

But his Republican colleagues on the House Steering Committee passed over Buchanan. Missouri Congressman Jason Smith promised in his bid to the committee to be aggressive defunding an increase in IRS hiring. Buchanan pitched his business background and ability to work across the aisle.

Speir claims to his audiences: “(Buchanan) actually is not wellliked in D.C.” And then he punches more with: “The senior member (of the Florida delegation) should be making waves and doing things for Floridians. But, in fact, he’s not doing that at all.”

Speir harps on Buchanan’s voting record, with a tab on Speir’s website devoted it. It focuses on nine specific topics on which Buchanan voted on the opposite side of the Republicans’ conservative Freedom

— 2022 rating: 75; Lifetime rating: 72.85 ■ The Freedom Index — 202324: 65%; Lifetime: 56% ■ Heritage Action for America/ Heritage Foundation — 118th Congress: 71%; Lifetime: 62% ■ National Federation of Independent Business — 118th Congress: 100%; recipient of NFIB Guardian of Small Business Award ■ Conservative Review/Liberty Score — F/57% ■ 2022-23-24 aggregate: 78.5% ■ Lifetime rating: 62.18%

Caucus (see box, Page 8).

Speir says Buchanan’s voting history puts him in a category of spending more money than each of four far-left, progressive members of “the Squad.” Speir directs viewers to the R Street Institute’s SpendingTracker.org site, which shows that Buchanan’s voting through seven sessions totals $5.5 trillion, ranking him average in Congress overall, but “high” in the Republican Party.

Speir documents votes on immigration, the Second Amendment, the Paris Climate agreement, spying on Americans; and the World Health Organization’s effort to subsume U.S. sovereignty in the next world health crisis.

These votes may be news to Republican voters, but they’re not really a surprise. Everyone who has voted for Buchanan since 2006 knows he is nowhere close to the conservatism of, say, Florida Congressmen Byron Donalds or Matt Gaetz or Reps. Jim Jordan or Marjorie Taylor Green. Everyone who has voted for Buchanan knows he toggles between RINO and moderate Republican. He once touted that he was the most bipartisan member of Congress.

In fact, when you look at ­Buchanan’s ratings among the conservative think tanks and taxpayer and business organizations in D.C., his scores reinforce what voters have long known — and tolerated

(see box).

And that toleration explains Buchanan’s longevity and why no one has or is likely to unseat him.

After almost losing in 2006 in his first election to Democrat Christine Jennings, Buchanan has always been careful not to go too far right.

He has never done so much one way or the other — or, some say, not done much at all — to make voters say: “Vern must go.”

He clearly has learned how to play the political game, which, of course, is all about being reelected. When Gov. DeSantis made his attempt to be the presidential nominee, Buchanan didn’t jump in and pledge his support for the governor. He waited and watched, becoming the eighth — not first or second — Florida congressional member to back not DeSantis, but Donald Trump.

Trump, in turn, has endorsed Buchanan once again. Even though Speir positions himself as the “America First,” “Drain the Swamp” candidate, Trump’s endorsement of Buchanan can be viewed as a concrete wall for Speir.

WHO IS JORDAN EDWARD SPEIR?

“This is a David and Goliath situation,” Speir told the Riverview Republicans. “I’m going against the Establishment. I could spend a lot of time on all of the lies and propaganda being used against me on the local level and at the state level that is trying to silence my voice … This is a Marxist war against America and our freedoms.”

Born in Seattle, Speir and his family moved to Colorado when he was 3. He grew up in Denver.

In 1987, he went to the University of Northern Colorado in the hot eastern plains of Greeley, where he competed as a 142-pound wrestler.

He admits he wasn’t a model citizen then. “Drugs, fights, I was on a path of destruction” at age 20, he told us.

But he also tells of his conversion to an evangelical Christian. It occurred when he saw a shooting star three times while driving at 3 a.m. on Highway 1 in California on a trip to Seattle. “God got a hold of me,” he says.

After earning a business degree with an emphasis on computer information systems, Speir’s first job was as assistant director for IT

at his university.

He did that for a year. Then, in 1993, Speir, 24, started his own company, 3t Systems in Denver, specializing in IT consulting for medical offices.

3t grew over the next decade, expanding into software development for the mortgage origination industry. After a merger in 2004, 3t became the largest IT consultancy in Colorado. At its peak, it reached more than $18 million a year in revenues and 285 employees.

After that merger, Speir spun off the software development operation into a new company, Mortgage Cadence. Its internet-based software became a hit in the post-2008 real estate crash, so much so that the international giant, Accenture plc, acquired 85% of Mortgage Cadence in 2010 and completed 100% of the acquisition in 2013.

Purchase price: More than $150 million.

In 2010, with sale proceeds in hand and after Speir’s wife survived a plane crash in the Colorado Rockies (three days, two nights, with wind chill of 40 below zero), they decided to leave the cold of Colorado. They chose Bradenton and IMG. Then came serendipity.

Speir met Robert Allen Jr., a New College of Florida trustee whose son was attending the tennis academy at Speir’s Inspiration Academy.

Speir and Allen’s political philosophies clicked.

This also was the time Allen and Gov. DeSantis had ignited the effort to transform New College into becoming a public Hillsdale College replica. Allen lobbied the governor successfully to have Speir appointed as a New College trustee.

It did not go well.

Speir was outspoken, challenged New College’s lawyer and strayed from the tactics and strategy of the new trustees and New College interim President Richard Corcoran. When it was time for the Senate to confirm the new trustees, Speir was the only one not confirmed.

It’s a long, messy story. But here is what it did for Speir: His rejection prompted him to think about running for public office. On the same day he contemplated that, he read the news story about Buchanan losing his bid to be chairman of the

Ways and Means Committee.

“I felt a quickening of my spirits and wanted to get involved,” Speir told us.

FREEDOM FIGHTER DNA

When we spoke about Speir’s chances to win with a Republican who has been in the trenches of Florida politics for 30 years, he said: “He’s delusional.”

Speir doesn’t see it that way at all. When you hear and see his passion and patriotism, it’s palpable and deserving of respect. You can feel he wants what is right to begin the turnaround that’s needed for the country.

“I love this country,” he says.

“Freedom-loving people feel like there’s no hope.”

Speir’s platform is simple: Inflation (“You could cut 80% of the federal budget, but they just don’t have the will.”). Secure our borders.

(He visited the Texas border.)

“If we get government out of the way, and not look to the government to solve the problems that the government has created, and get back to true, limited-government conservatism, that will unlock and unleash the massive amount of intellectual capacity that we have.

“I learned this in business,” he tells the Riverview Republicans.

“You’ve got to confront the brutal facts, and when you confront the brutal facts, never lose hope that you will be victorious in the end.

“It’s in our DNA. We are freedom fighters. All it takes is political courage and will.”

It is truly rare for a first-time, unknown candidate to slay an entrenched incumbent who has the name-recognition Buchanan has.

But, likewise, we have always been of a mind that serving in Congress should not be a career.

Former Congressman Dan Miller, R-Bradenton, did it right. He said 10 years and stuck to it.

If we had our way, we’d flush out every member of Congress, save for a handful. It’s not personal. It’s about freedom.

Which of the two — Buchanan or Speir — is the freedom fighter for you?

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

Tax transfer County eliminates business tax as a funding source for the EDC, shifts burden to the general fund.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

A

lthough Sarasota County commissioners on July 9 unanimously approved a revised funding plan in its new contract with the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County, division among the board over the issue of ending the organization-supporting business tax remained evident.

Minutes after passing an ordinance that provides a 50% match on the dollar of private donations to the EDC, commissioners voted 3-2 on a separate ordinance that repeals the tax, which had been in place since 1992.

As they did at their June 4 meeting, when the commission instructed staff to return with a new funding structure for the EDC, Ron Cutsinger and Mark Smith cast the dissenting votes to dump the business tax, which EDC officials told commissioners in June averaged just more than $14 per business per year.

Instead, resident Shari Thornton pointed out during the public hearing that money will now come from the general fund courtesy of all county taxpayers.

“As a taxpayer, knowing that the businesses supported paying this business tax for this service, it doesn’t seem quite right that it come back to the taxpayers to pick that up,” Thornton said. “As a taxpayer, I object to that.”

Director of Governmental Affairs Rob Lewis reminded commissioners of that tax burden shift, which is capped at $500,000.

“To be clear, that money is going to come from general fund. The local business tax is not part of this

agreement,” Lewis said. “We will have general fund money that will contribute to that, and it will also continue to include the per capita.”

The per capita fee is the product of an interlocal agreement between the county and city governments as a funding source for the EDC. For the county, that amounts to $288,097 of the $464,223 total in per capita funding for next fiscal year. That will remain in place. Should the EDC reach its private fundraising goal of $575,000, the county will pay an additional $287,500 from the general fund.

The EDC’s total fiscal year 2025 budget is $1.82 million. Of that, the county will contribute $575,597, and potentially up to $788,097, including the capped amount of the match should the EDC raise $1 million or more.

Citing the commission’s affirmation of the max millage rate for next fiscal year at 3.30 mils earlier in the July 5 meeting — touted as the lowest rate in 37 years — Commissioner Neil Rainford praised his colleagues for what he called yet another taxcutting measure despite a unanimity of business owners, who at the June 4 meeting spoke in favor of taxing themselves.

“This is another opportunity to put tax dollars back in local busi-

“I’m not sure everyone was represented here when we had a few public comments, but certainly they’re hard at work, trying to run their businesses, and every dollar we can put back in their pocket is important to me.”

— Neil Rainford, county commissioner

File image

Erin Silk is president and CEO of the Economic Develop Corp. of Sarasota County.

nesses,” Rainford said. “I’m not sure everyone was represented here when we had a few public comments, but certainly they’re hard at work, trying to run their businesses, and every dollar we can put back in their pocket is important to me.”

Cutsinger, a member of the EDC Board of Directors as the County Commission’s representative, in contrast to the June 4 discussion, did not speak to the matter. Smith, however, had some final words on the subject.

“When you have a group of businesses that are lobbying us to continue to tax them to support the EDC and then you decide not to do that as we’re cutting the millage rate, and so now we’re going to use general fund money to support the EDC — which is worthwhile — I just think this is not a wise idea, to be honest and polite,” Smith said.

His attempt at civility, though, was brief.

“I can’t support the motion,” he added in the same breath. “Because I just think it’s, quite frankly, dumb.”

Neunder, who had not planned to speak to his second of Rainford’s motion to approve abolishing the

Your Luxury Lifestyle Awaits

PROPOSED EDC PUBLIC REVENUE BUDGET Sarasota County per capita: $288,097 City of North Port per capita: $86,552 City of Sarasota per capita: $57,005 City of Venice per capita: $27,793 Town of Longboat Key per capita: $4,776 County private business investment match: $287,500* Tourist Development Tax (film/creative): $125,000 Earned interest: $8,930 Total: $885,653

*Based on $575,000 private contributions, capped at $500,000.

business tax, was compelled to respond.

He said of the multitude of business owners he has spoken with in casual settings he has yet to hear of one who was familiar with the EDC. And, with respect to the business tax, they’d prefer to use that money elsewhere.

“If they want to support it,” Neunder said, “they have a checkbook, and they have the address.”

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

TRIBUTES William “Bill” Joseph Beckmeyer earning the admiration and respect of so many parents MD and families for over forty1930-2024 years.

The Cornerstone Capital Group At Morgan Stanley Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams, 2024

If you would like to learn more about our team please visit our website or: Join us at our office Mondays at 9:30am for an Outlook on the Market and latest thinking from the Morgan Stanley Global Investment Committee.

Please RSVP to Amanda Lewis by calling 941-364-3549 or email Amanda.R.Lewis@morganstanley.com.

William “Bill” Joseph Beckmeyer MD, a beloved husband, father, grandfather passed away peacefully on July 3, 2024, at the age of 94.

Susan Tomlinson Wilson

Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Family Wealth Advisor Alternative Investments Director Financial Advisor

Born May 20, 1930, to his parents William and Henrietta, Bill grew up in Fort Thomas, KY. He attended St. Xavier High School followed

by Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. where he earned his undergraduate degree. He continued for an additional four years at Georgetown University School of Medicine. Upon graduating with honors, he interned at Detroit Receiving Hospital followed by serving in the Army for two years in the Medical Corps. It was in Detroit where Bill met his wife of 54 years, Elizabeth Anne “Betty” Beckmeyer (deceased), they married and returned to Fort Thomas, KY where Bill started his pediatric practice. He devoted his career to caring for children,

Thomas Bardwell, CFP®

Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Senior Porfolio Management Director Family Wealth Advisor Financial Advisor

T. Michael Osterman

Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Financial Planning Specialist Financial Advisor

2 North Tamiami Trail, Ste 1100 Sarasota, FL 34236 Website: advisor.morganstanley.com/ the-cornerstone-capital-group

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Financial Advisor Financial Planning Specialist

Susan A. Knight

Sr. Registered Associate Financial Planning Specialist

Adrienne Lambers

Sr. Registered Client Associate

Amanda Lewis

Client Service Associate

Left to Right: Rylan Lanham, Adrienne Lambers, Mike Osterman, Tom Bardwell, Susan Wilson, Susan Knight, Amanda Lewis

Source: Forbes.com (Jan 2024) 2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams ranking awarded in 2024. This ranking was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by SHOOK Research LLC (the research company) in partnership with Forbes (the publisher) for the period from 3/31/22–3/31/23. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors paid a fee to SHOOK Research LLC, for placement on its rankings. This ranking is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each Financial Advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations, and quantitative criteria, including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research LLC, and may not be representative of any one client’s experience; investors must carefully choose the right Financial Advisor or team for their own situation and perform their own due diligence. This ranking is not indicative of the Financial Advisor’s future performance. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is not affiliated with SHOOK Research LLC or Forbes. For more information, see www.SHOOKresearch.com.

© 2024 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC6240443 3/24

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“His gentle demeanor, unwavering patience and genuine compassion made him a beacon of hope and comfort for countless families for 3-plus generations”

His gentle demeanor, unwavering patience and genuine compassion made him a beacon of hope and comfort for countless families for 3-plus generations. His contributions to the medical field and commitment to helping others will forever be deeply valued by so many.

Bill was a family man. He was a proud father to William Peter (Susan) Beckmeyer MD; Mark Christopher (Theresa) Beckmeyer and Anne Therese (Paul) McSwigan, and grandfather to Alexandra “Lexxie” Keel (Fletcher Keel); Sydney Beckmeyer; Nicholson “Nick” McSwigan; and Shea Harding (Sean Harding).

He cherished every moment spent with his family, always putting their needs before his own.

His wisdom, kindness and humility are what his children would say have made them the individuals they are today. Upon his retirement, Bill moved to Longboat Key, FL. LBK, as it is known to so many, was a place Bill and his wife Betty considered their second home. They had spent twenty-plus years vacationing there with their children and life-long friends. There was never any question where they would be spending their “golden years”. In retirement, Bill could be seen on the golf course, tennis courts, taking long walks with his beloved golden retrievers (Sammy and Francie), or sitting on his porch reading a good

“His wisdom, kindness and humility are what his children would say have made them the individuals they are today.” book. More so, a faithful and devoted Catholic, you could find Bill attending Mass daily. After Betty’s death, Bill remained in LBK and married Marie Watts. For the last nine years, they have built a life together enjoying each other’s companionship and similar passions - tennis, golf, travel and much more.

Bill’s spirit, love and legacy will continue to inspire his family and loved ones. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

SERVICE: Visitation will be held Monday, July 22 from 4:30pm - 7:00pm at the Muehlenkamp-Erschell Funeral Home 427 S. Fort Thomas Ave. in Fort Thomas, KY. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, July 23 at 10:00 am at St. Thomas Church in Fort Thomas, KY. Burial will take place at St. Stephen Cemetery.

DONATIONS: Children’s Hospital - Charitable Care | Helping Families in Need 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3206.

Dobbling, MuehlenkampErschell serving the family Online condolences may be made to dmefuneral.com

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

13

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

TRIBUTES Donald Edwin Swanson 1932-2024

William Michael O’Neil III 1935-2024

Memorialize your loved one with a lasting tribute in print and online, a permanent record of a legacy your family will always cherish.

Bill was an avid reader and a devoted Christian, having read all of C.S. Lewis’s works. He is survived by four children, numerous grandchildren, and several great grandchildren. He was a kind and generous man and will be missed.

Don was an accomplished pianist who went to Chicago Christian High School then attended Navy Pier College to study tool and die. He enlisted in the US Naval Reserves where he worked as a machine repairman. He was honorably discharged at the rank of 2nd Class Petty Officer after 12 years of service. He had a long and successful career in tool and die at Portage Tool where he retired as General Manager.

He became a “Snowbird” with his wife Bev splitting

SERVICE: Visitation Wednesday, July 24th, 10:00 a.m. until Funeral Service 11:00 a.m. at Community Presbyterian Church, 407 N. Main St, Mount Prospect, IL. Entombment Memory Gardens, Arlington Hts., IL DONATIONS: In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to your local Hospice in Don’s name.

Funeral information call 847255-7800 or www.friedrichsfh. com

Submit your Loved One’s Obituary tributes@yourobserver.com

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community by providing hundreds of hours of pro bono legal service through Legal Aid of Manasota.

Don leaves behind his beloved wife, Beverly, “Hun 2”, of 67 years, sons, David (Mary) Swanson, Don (Sandra Kurdas) Swanson, daughter, Shari (Dal) Ferbert and grandchildren, Steve Swanson, Courtney Ferbert and Dalsen Ferbert. He is preceded in death by his father Edwin and Elsie Swanson, sister, Carol (Swanson) Olesen and infant brother, David Swanson.

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Bill had a distinguished legal career in Florida, practicing in Miami and later in Tallahassee. He was also a member of the Texas Bar. In 1997 Bill retired to Longboat Key, Florida, where he enjoyed tennis and kayaking.

He continued to serve the

Don was born in Chicago, IL to Edwin and Elsie Swanson of Crivitz, WI where he enjoyed many summers and family reunions.

their time between Longboat Key, FL and the lake house in Bristol, WI.

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Bill was born in Akron, Ohio in 1935. He served his country as a member of the United States Army, stationed in Hawaii. Following his service, Bill earned a B.A. from the University of Miami and a law degree from the University of Akron.

“Bill was an avid reader and a devoted Christian.

He was a kind and generous man and will be missed.”

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William Michael O’Neil III, age 88, passed away peacefully on Sunday May 19, 2024 in Sarasota, Florida.

Donald Edwin Swanson, 92, of Bristol, WI, formerly of Longboat Key, FL and Mount Prospect, IL, passed away peacefully in his home July 5, 2024, surrounded by his family.

JULY 18, 2024

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

A WORLD of WONDER Slack rope performer Antino Pansa defies gravity at the Summer Circus Spectacular, which runs through Aug. 17.

Escape the heat and life’s cares at the Summer Circus Spectacular.

MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

I

magine a world where doctors would treat depression and anxiety, not by writing a pre-

scription for Wellbutrin, but with one for the orchestra, the ballet or the circus.

It’s not as far-fetched as it seems.

Academics, such as Dacher Keltner at the University of CaliforniaBerkeley, have been studying the healing benefits of wonder.

Keltner has written a book called “Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life” and was a consultant on Pixar’s “Inside Out.” In case you haven’t heard, “Inside Out 2” has been a surprise summer box-office smash and spotlights a character with the features of anxiety.

Sarasota’s arts institutions are no strangers to the power of wonder. The Ringling Museum recently jumped on the bandwagon with a conference of the same name. (Check out the cool “Wonder” merch in the museum gift shop.) Meanwhile, Sarasota’s nonprofit Circus Arts Conservatory held a concert named “Wonderball.”

Cool beans, huh? That’s what the comedy duo Cheech and Chong used to say back in the day, long before they were promoting cannabis gummies.

Some boomers aren’t ready to leave their wonder years behind. But marijuana isn’t legal in Florida, and tickets to the Dead & Company’s Las Vegas residency at the immersive entertainment venue the Sphere are pretty pricey ($150), especially when you add airline tickets, hotel and food.

IF YOU GO SUMMER CIRCUS SPECTACULAR When: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Runs through Aug. 17.

Where: Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road Tickets: $20 adults; $15 kids Info: Visit Ringling.org.

FINDING WONDER IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

Why not find wonder in your own backyard? The Summer Circus Spectacular at The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater is just what the doctor ordered, especially if you’ve got restless kids around the house and temperatures are in the 90s.

Ready to escape the heat with a trip up north? You’re in luck. Sarasota’s Circus Arts Conservatory, presided over by the husband-and-wife team of Pedro Reis and Dolly Jacobs, is having a residency of its own, in the Massachusetts Berkshires. “SommerSaults in the Berkshires” will run July 19-28 at the Duffin Theater in Lenox, Massachusetts.

The CAC’s inaugural Berkshires residency builds on Sarasota’s heritage as the longtime home of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. With the exception of one act, Duo Alexander, the lineup in Lenox is the same as last year’s Summer Circus Spectacular in Sarasota.

That show included third-generation circus artist Heidi Herriott as master of ceremonies, clowns Dick Monday and Slappy, crystal balance act Serge Sergeev and Aurika Annaeva, speed juggler Tersit Asefa Dersu and Garrett Allen on aerial rope.

Locals may remember Dersu and Allen from their triumphant performances at March’s Cirque des Voix, the collaboration between the CAC and Key Chorale.

A SUMMER HOME IN THE BERKSHIRES FOR THE CAC?

Does this mean the performers currently on stage at The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater, or the HAT, could be heading to the Berkshires next summer? CAC Executive Vice President Jennifer Mitchell hinted at such a possibility in a statement.

“After several visits to the Berkshires, we felt there were significant similarities between our communi-

ties — especially the focus on arts and culture — and felt that a summer show would be a great way to jumpstart any potential continued presence there,” Mitchell said.

The Berkshires tickets cost a little more ($25-$30) than those of the Sarasota Summer Circus Spectacular ($15-$20). Both shows are in air-conditioned venues and run for an hour, which most children can sit through.

Helping to keep kids engaged from the get-go at the summer circus is the chance that Renaldo the clown could tap any one of them as assistants in his juggling, plate-spinning and magic routines.

At a recent show, about a dozen kids were recruited from the audience as well as an adult or two. (One man was so adept at throwing and catching objects with Renaldo, he seemed like a plant. But maybe he just played sports in high school.)

Don’t let the mention of clowns derail your trip to the Summer Circus Spectacular. Over the years, clowns have gotten a bad rap, and some parents are afraid they will frighten children. Rest assured, the CAC’s clowns are not scary. Co-founder Dolly Jacobs knows a little something about clowns, since her father was the legendary Ringling Bros. clown Ed Jacobs.

A CLOWN WITH CONTINENTAL FLAIR

Renaldo, whose real name is Al Calienes, speaks a weird patois that sounds like a mishmash of English, Spanish and Italian. Along with his zany, family-friendly antics, Calienes exudes a continental flair that fits right in with the European flavor that Reis, a native of South Africa, and Jacobs have given to CAC performances, both during season and in the summer.

In a telephone interview before leaving for the Berkshires, Reis reflected on the growth of the Summer Circus Spectacular, which started in the summer of 1998 at a place called the Wagon Room. “Those were our first ticketed performances,” Reis says.

The summer circus moved to The Ringling at the urging of former Art of Performance Curator Dwight Currie, Reis says, who was a circus fan. Then the summer residency at The Ringling was interrupted by renovations at the museum. The summer circus returned after they were complete.

Images courtesy of David Shapiro

In the early days of the Summer Circus Spectacular, Jacobs, a veteran of Ringling Bros. and Big Apple Circus, performed as an aerialist, Reis recalls. Jacobs has since retired from performing and is more likely to be wearing an evening gown in her appearances at the circus than a sparkly leotard.

Reis says he’s been pleased with the growth of the summer circus, which this year runs through Aug. 17.

“It’s become very popular. Kids are out of school, and we make it affordable for families in a beautiful airconditioned theater,” he says. “Each year is better than the year before.”

A PERFECT VENUE FOR AUDIENCES OF ALL AGES

The HAT is easy for those with wheelchairs and walkers to negotiate, and there’s room to store the devices on the first floor of the 530seat theater. Indeed, many multigenerational groups, with members ranging from roughly 8 years of age to 80, were in evidence at a recent performance of the circus.

There was plenty of wonder to be found on stage. Slack wire performer Antino Pansa got things started with his brand of derring-do after Renaldo warmed up the crowd.

The hypnotic performance of SEE CIRCUS, PAGE 16

The Bello Sisters demonstrate strength and grace in their Summer Circus Spectacular performance.

“Kids are out of school, and we make it affordable for families in a beautiful airconditioned theater. Each year is better than the year before.”

— Pedro Reis

16

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

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A family poses with members of the Summer Circus Spectacular, including Ringmaster Jared Walker (left) and Renaldo the clown (right).

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“hair hang” artist Camille Langlois, who performs acrobatics suspended from a rope attached to a bun on her head as a mesmerizing soundtrack plays in the background, entranced the crowd.

The haunting broken doll performance of contortionist Uranbileg Angarag was an edgy complement to Renaldo’s baby with a bottle and a Teddy bear act that it followed, but it was not too dark.

The Bello Sisters, an acrobatic trio, were the crowd pleasers of the afternoon (performances are at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.), with their stunning teamwork showcasing both strength and grace.

Ringmaster Jared Walker did a masterful job of introducing the performers, engaging in hijinks with Renaldo and keeping the show moving.

If there’s a performance at the summer circus that doesn’t transport you, not to worry: It’ll be over in a few minutes. Each act is less than 10 minutes long.

or dance, you may not fully appreciate the training and talent on stage at the Summer Circus Spectacular. The performers make everything look deceptively easy. That’s the wonder of it all.

If you’re ready for more circus, you can take your ticket stub to The Ringling box office and learn about circus history at the Tibbals Learning Center and Circus Museum for just $5, a $25 savings on the admission price of $30. The circus center is not included in the museum’s free Monday admissions.

The Ringling recently added a new installation on the second floor of the Tibbals Learning Center called the “Greatest Show on Earth.” The multimedia exhibit is dedicated to the modern Ringling Bros. circus as it evolved under the ownership of Feld Entertainment, which acquired it in 1967.

There are no selfies or videos allowed during the summer circus, but audience members can pose for free with the cast in the lobby of The Ringling. When an audience member remarked how quickly the line was moving, a Ringling employee responded, “These people are pros, on and off stage.”

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

THIS WEEK

DON’T MISS

SCD IN-STUDIO: JESSICA OBIEDZINSKI After a spinal injury left her exploring modes of healing beyond traditional medicine, Jessica Obiedzinski spent two weeks tapping into her subconscious at the Hermitage Artist Retreat. In this “sneak peek” performance, she reveals her discoveries.

IF YOU GO When: 7 p.m. Saturday, July 20 Where: at Sarasota Contemporary Dance, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts, Suite 300 Tickets: $22 Info: Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance.org.

THURSDAY

PAT GODWIN 7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd. $26 Visit McCurdysComedy.com.

A veteran of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” “The Howard Stern Show” and “The Bob & Tom Show,” Pat Godwin effortlessly combines music and humor. Runs through July 21.

‘THE MUSIC OF LAUREL CANYON’ 7:30 p.m. at FST’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St. $18-$42 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

If you know, you know. But not everyone knows about Laurel Canyon, the neighborhood above West Hollywood’s Sunset Strip that became home to folk musicians such as Joni Mitchell, Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young and The Mamas and the Papas. Runs through Aug. 25.

‘DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE’ 8 p.m. at FST’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave. $29-$46

OUR PICK NEWISH JEWISH PLAYS: ‘ORIGINAL TENANTS’ If it’s summer in Sarasota, it’s time for play readings. The Sarasota Jewish Theatre enters the derby with Newish Jewish Plays, a three-play series on three consecutive Mondays. The second selection is Carole Braverman’s “Original Tenants,” about a daughter whose memories are stirred when she visits her sick mother in Brooklyn.

IF YOU GO When: 7 p.m. Monday, July 22 Where: The Players Centre, Studio 1130, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail Tickets: $12 or $30 for three-play series Info: Visit SarasotaJewishTheatre.org.

17

Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Acclaimed playwright Ken Ludwig tells the story of his parents’ courtship during World War II. The play follows U.S. Army Capt. Jack Ludwig, a military doctor stationed in Oregon, who begins a life-changing pen-pal relationship with Louise Rabiner, an aspiring actress living in the Big Apple. Runs through Aug. 11.

‘RHINESTONE COWGIRLS’ 7:30 p.m. at FST’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N. Palm Ave. $18-$42 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Created by Nancy Allen Productions, this musical tribute to some of the first ladies of country features such classics as Patsy Cline’s “Crazy,” Tammy Wynette’s “Stand by Your Man” and Carrie Underwood’s “Last Name.” Runs through Aug. 4.

FRIDAY DISNEY’S ‘THE LITTLE MERMAID JR.’ SHOW 7:30 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton $20 Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter. com.

Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales, “Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr.” looks at the sacrifices we are willing to make to be loved and accepted. What makes these Disney Jr. shows perfect for children? The adaptations of beloved musicals are just one hour long.

CLASSIC MOVIES AT THE OPERA HOUSE: ‘AMERICAN GRAFFITI’ 7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. $12 Visit SarasotaOpera.org.

This classic movie of California cruising in the 1950s recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Directed by George Lucas (“Star Wars”), “American Graffiti” helped propel the careers of stars like Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Cindy Williams, Mackenzie Phillips and Harrison Ford. It also provided the inspiration for the long-running 1970s TV show “Happy Days.”

THE FUNKY BONZ 8 p.m. at Joyland, 8341 Lockwood Ridge Road 18-20, $26.13; 21 and older, $10.45 Visit JoylandSarasota.com.

The band will play soulful melodies from artists such as Earth, Wind & Fire, Bruno Mars and Dua Lipa in a performance that promises to be a musical tour of the decades.

SUNDAY HD AT THE OPERA HOUSE: ‘II PURITANI’ 1:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. $12-$20 Visit SarasotaOpera.org.

In 2007, soprano Anna Netrebko wowed New York audiences in the role of the fragile Puritan maiden Elvira. Filled with exciting arias and ensembles, this bel canto treasure also stars Eric Cutler as Elvira’s love, Arthur, Franco Vassallo as her suitor, Riccardo, and John Relyea as her Uncle Giorgio.

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WEDNESDAY JAZZ HAPPY HOUR 6 p.m. Geldbart Auditorium, Selby Library, 1331 First St. Free with registration Visit JazzHappyHour.org.

“Rhinestone Cowgirls” runs through Aug. 4 at the FST’s Goldstein Cabaret.

Sarasota Music Archive presents the Jazz All Stars with the program, “The Art of Jazz and Improvisation” featuring Jamie Tremps on vocals.

ZACHARY BARTHOLOMEW QUINTET 7 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court $14-$28 Visit WSLR.org.

Award-winning pianist, composer and educator Zachary Bartholomew will be accompanied by Marty Quinn on bass, Rodolfo Zuniga on drums and David Fernandez on saxophone.

Bartholomew will also be joined by Emmy-nominated jazz trumpeter and vocalist Benny Benack III.

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REVIEWS

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

Love letters fly as bombs drop FST’s ‘Dear Jack, Dear Louise’ is a funny tale punctuated by moments of sheer terror.

MARTY FUGATE CONTRIBUTOR

K

en Ludwig’s “Dear Jack, Dear Louise” is now playing at Florida Studio Theatre. Based on the playwright’s track record (“Lend Me a Tenor,” “Crazy for You” and “Moon Over Buffalo,” etc.), you expect clever comedy, engaging characters, snappy dialogue and high-concept situations.

This play meets all those expectations — with one surprise.

For Ludwig, the material is very personal.

Jack and Louise aren’t fictional characters — they’re the playwright’s parents. Ludwig didn’t even change their names. This play recalls the courtship of the playwright’s parents. It was a long-distance courtship, delivered via air mail.

How did that happen?

The playwright’s father, Jack (Jordan Sobel) was an Army physician — taciturn, stoic and dutiful. Ludwig’s mother, Louise (Maggie Lou Rader), was an aspiring actress and dancer with Broadway dreams.

Ludwig’s grandfathers were both Jewish refugees who had fled the pogroms of Eastern Europe and come to America. They suggested their kids should write — and they did.

The couple’s correspondence began in 1942 but they didn’t actually meet until the war was over.

Their love story unfolded in their revealing letters. Sadly, the playwright’s mother destroyed them.

Happily, Ludwig reimagined them — and retells his parents’ love story in this play.

As the play opens, Jack is stationed at an Army base in Medford, Oregon. Louise writes from a boarding house in Brooklyn, New

Ken Ludwig’s “Dear Jack, Dear Louise” runs through Aug. 11 at FST’s Gompertz Theatre.

York. In Jack’s letters, he vents his frustration with a commanding officer who won’t grant leave,and his revulsion at the futile horrors of war. (Jack’s seen it first-hand, treating an endless stream of wounded from the Pacific Theater.)

When she’s not trying to crack Jack’s emotional reserve, Louise writes breathlessly of her ups and downs trying to break into show biz. Her roommate stole the dream role she auditioned for in “Arsenic and Old Lace.” But “Hellzapoppin” has another dream role — and they’re auditioning right now!

The couple is geographically distant but emotionally connected. In Ludwig’s inventive staging, they share the same stage. (He’s on stage left and she’s on stage right.) The letters fly back and forth. They never physically meet, but words unite them.

Jack and Louise read their letters out loud — a continual calland-response. Their conversation theoretically spans continents.

But that’s make-believe. In reality, two actors are talking to each other in the same room. It sounds like a normal conversation — with one key difference. The actors never interrupt each other.

The couple’s back-and-forth dialogue resembles the film technique of cross-cutting. It’s a snappy approach, but it could easily feel forced. Director Kristin Clippard smartly captures Ludwig’s rat-a-tat rhythms.

Louise (Rader) is a bouncy, bubbly chatterbox. She’s flamboyant and tries to accentuate the positive, though she can get boiling mad. Whatever’s on her mind goes straight into her letters. Rader’s character wears her heart on her sleeve.

Sobel’s Jack is a man of few words, but he’s got heart too. He’s

Image courtesy of John Jones

IF YOU GO

‘Dear Jack, Dear Louise’ When: Through Aug. 11.

Where: FST’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave. Tickets: $25-$42 Info: Visit FloridaStudio Theatre.org.

a patriot, but that doesn’t blind him to the brutal stupidity of war (or the stupid generals making bad decisions). They’ve both got plenty of chemistry. Rader and Sobel sell you on their growing attraction.

Moriah and Isabel Curley-Clay do a swell job creating the divided world on stage. On one side, Jack’s office is spare and spartan. On the other side, Louise’s apartment is stuffed with knickknacks, mementos and makeup.

Behind both spaces, letters in the backdrop seem to soar like birds in flight. It’s set design as characterization, and it works beautifully. Daniel Ciba’s period

costumes nicely turn back time.

Louise is a 1940s rainbow; Jack’s in uniform. Kudos also to Nicholas Christensen’s sound design — especially in the scenes where Jack is under fire. (You get some idea of what “shell shock” means.)

While we’re on the subject, that’s another twist on the playwright’s expectations. This is a very funny play — but it’s punctuated by moments of sheer terror.

World War II is constantly raging in the background. By the end of the second act, it’s coming on strong like a Category 5 hurricane.

Jack winds up stationed in Europe — on the front lines treating the casualties of D Day and the Battle of the Bulge. And sometimes running for his life.

Pretty suspenseful. (Seeing as how Ken Ludwig was born, it’s a good bet his father survives.)

Knowing that, you’re still on the edge of your seat.

Ludwig’s epistolary play has a great premise. It’s a love letter to his parents — and the “greatest generation,” too. But that sweet notion is packed with nostalgic

baggage.

With a lesser playwright, that material could easily have been sentimental schlock. But Ludwig’s an honest scribe. His comedy is reality-based. As I said, the reality behind the playwright’s fiction is highly personal.

Like Proust, Ludwig was trying to recapture lost time. Unlike Proust, the lost memories weren’t his own. His mother burned the love letters, and he had to imaginatively recreate them. Imagine what that means …

Most love affairs click from countless variables, including body language, appearance, physical chemistry and pheromones.

What you say counts, but also how you say it. But with letters, words are all you have.

Before their love affair could begin, Jack and Louise had to imagine the person behind the words. It took powerful words to do that. And a powerful playwright to reimagine them. Ludwig did — and that’s his real accomplishment.

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JULY 18, 2024

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Age is just a ... joke Longboat’s Cliff Hornsby, 84, lives his dream as a stand-up comedian.

PETRA RIVERA STAFF WRITER

I

t’s the late show at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre. Weekend shows are filled with a younger

crowd, which is usually not the target audience for the guest comedian of the night.

Cliff Hornsby, 84, slowly walks up the stairs, holding onto the railing.

Then he grabs his walker and finally makes it to center stage.

Faces in the audience fall a bit.

They don’t know what to expect from Hornsby. He’s not the typical comedian you see on stage.

“My name is Cliff Hornsby,” he starts. “Please do not make a Silver Alert call. I left a note on my bed at the nursing home saying that I would be home late.”

Audience members of all ages start laughing. Then Hornsby unzips the vest he is wearing. He throws it across the stage to reveal a T-shirt with his stage name written in big letters.

Welcome to the stage, perhaps Longboat’s most relatable comedian: “Gerry Atric.”

DREAM DELAYED

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Longboat resident Hornsby has always met stress with laughter.

Originally from Atlanta, he has been making people laugh since childhood. His philosophy is that for every negative in life, a positive can always be found.

Now, he is finally accomplishing his dream of making people laugh for a living — and excelling at it.

Even with his gift to make people laugh, he didn’t think it was possible to make comedy his career until his 80s. Hornsby pursued many other

jobs throughout his life, including banking, developing houses and cemeteries, working in the Southern Gospel music industry and real estate.

“Now I’m a full-time comedian,” said Hornsby. “I wish I would have done it 40 years ago. I might have starved, but it would have been worth it.”

Hornsby moved to Longboat Key 38 years ago. In 2022, he and his wife were hosting family at their home.

He couldn’t stop himself from cracking jokes and telling funny stories.

His company laughed for 30 minutes straight.

After his first unofficial comedy set, his family members told him that he should consider going into stand-up.

This encouraged him to sign up for courses at McCurdy’s Humor Institute to pursue his dream.

His first classes ended with a showcase on the last day. This is when he became Cliff “The Geezer” Hornsby.

He said he was nervous for his first official set. But once he got his first laughs, nothing could stop him from continuing.

DOUBLE ACT

Hornsby said his favorite part about doing comedy is the people he has met.

He was introduced to his mentor, Al Ernst, through a fellow comedian at McCurdy’s. Ernst has been a comedian for 35 years and has done shows all over the world.

Ernst’s mentorship has helped form Hornsby into the comedian that he is today. Ernst started by watching Hornsby’s shows and giving him pointers based on his own experiences.

Ernst emphasized the importance of on-stage presence and delivery.

He said you can have the best jokes ever, but if you don’t deliver properly, you won’t get the same reaction from the audience.

Hornsby retired the “Geezer” after he noticed that his main audience was older adults.

“I looked out into the audience, and I just saw a bunch of old people,” said Hornsby. This is where “Gerry Atric” was born.

With Ernst’s help, Hornsby perfected his “Gerry Atric” character and set based on his life experiences and relatable situations.

Ernst said it is now difficult to book a show without Hornsby because of how much people love him. Along with being mentor and mentee, the two have become close friends.

LAUGHS ON LONGBOAT

After two years of perfecting his sets, Hornsby has now performed all over Florida, as well as in Atlanta. He

Petra Rivera

CLIFF’S NOTES: HORNSBY’S FAVORITE JOKES “I sometimes walk here on stage and forget what I am doing.

It’s like walking in a room and you don’t remember why you walked in there and then I find out it’s not even my kitchen. Well, I borrowed this from a football player. Since my name is Cliff. I have this wristband and these are my ‘Cliffs Notes’ so just in case I get lost, I can look at them.”

“If you’re wondering why I’m trying to do comedy at this age,

has won multiple audience-choice awards for his comedy sets.

With the help of Ernst, Hornsby wants to put his performances on streaming services to reach people outside Florida. The two have also been working on upgrading their social media presence.

Hornsby’s other goal is to have a show on Longboat Key. He wants to perform at the Town Center Green to bring stand-up comedy to the island and give the proceeds to a Longboat nonprofit.

“The thing about Cliff is that

I’m doing it so I can improve my social calendar, something besides doctor appointments.”

Comedian and mentor Al Ernst and comedian Cliff Hornsby, aka “Gerry Atric”

“My doctors suggested acupuncture for back pain. I did it, and it helped me. When I called the acupuncturist back for another appointment, he said, ‘Cliff, you can’t come back.’

I said ‘Why?’ He said, ‘Your blood is so old that you rusted all my needles.’”

he is always coming up with jokes throughout any conversation you are having with him,” said Ernst. “His superpower is that he has a super unique style of comedy. He made up this great character and learned to develop and deliver it so well that people just love him. He is the person that, at first, younger audiences or any audiences are quiet about, but later on, they decide this old guy is cool.”

“I wish I would have done it 40 years ago.

I might have starved, but it would have been worth it.”

— Cliff Hornsby

20

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

Partner for life Local author honors late husband’s fights for justice in the world of aviation disaster law.

PETRA RIVERA STAFF WRITER

L

ee Kreindler is a household name in law, and he’s often been called “the founder of air disaster law” thanks to his work representing victims and their families in many of the major aviation disasters of the 20th century.

But in his fights for justice, few people realized he had an invisible partner — his wife, Ruth Kreindler.

She was there for every aspect of his cases, whether that meant hosting for dinner people involved in a case or simply talking through research with him.

Twenty-one years after his death in 2003, Ruth, a Plymouth Harbor resident, has self-published “The Fight For Justice,” a book about her husband’s most challenging case and the deadliest terrorist attack on American civilians before 9/11 — Pan Am Flight 103. She hopes it will help readers understand Lee’s passion and impact on aviation today.

Courtesy image

Lee Kreindler

PAN AM FLIGHT 103

FATHER OF AIR DISASTER LAW

Petra Rivera

Ruth Kreindler

Afterward, Lee was approached to help many more plane crash survivors or victims’ families. He wrote several books on air disaster law that are used in law schools today.

PARTNER ON THE JOB

Lee met his wife, Ruth, at a debutante ball in 1952. He saw her dancing and was immediately smitten. He called her the next day to ask her on a date.

When they met, Ruth told him she had thought she was meeting someone completely different.

“(Lee) brought justice for these people through his integrity and the hard facts.

While doing that, he made airplane flying more safe.”

— Ruth Kreindler

They laughed about the mix-up and decided to continue on the date anyway. The couple got married that same year in September.

In her day job, Ruth was an interior and architectural designer. But when she came home to her husband, she was Lee’s partner in his cases.

Every night, he would share everything that happened at the law firm and in court. Their “pillow talk” tradition, as Ruth called it, was the start of her assistance in his cases.

THE BOOK’S CASE

The Pan Am Flight 103 bombing took place Dec. 21, 1988, over Lockerbie, Scotland. A terrorist bomb exploded in the cargo hold of the passenger plane, killing all 259 people on board, 35 of whom were Syracuse University students. Eleven more people on the ground were killed.

Lee and Ruth were about to leave for a vacation to Longboat Key when they heard the news. Lee’s name was given to one of the families of the col-

WORSHIP

lege students. His colleagues knew he was the right one for the case.

After they arrived in Florida, Lee’s relaxation was cut short. NBC News flew to the island by helicopter the second day he was there to get his opinion. Ruth recalled being furious this was happening during their vacation. This kicked off the start of a case that would consume the ­Kreindlers’ lives for the next 15 years.

Ruth said the case was present in almost every conversation. Before bed, Lee would lay drawings of jet engines on the floor to help him think through different parts of the

Lee died in February 2003 before the final settlement from Libya.

Ruth said she could barely get out of bed immediately afterward. While she was still grieving, she found a manuscript that Lee wrote before dying. It was supposed to be a book about Pan American World Airways Flight 103.

Ruth tried to read it, but she was overwhelmed with grief. Lee’s writing inspired her to write her own book on her late husband, though.

She wanted to honor his memory by showing his dedication to the case and the affected families.

She partnered with local writer Chris Angermann because she found it hard to write by herself without getting emotional. She and Angermann began the writing journey two years ago.

While Ruth recalled her memories with the aid of her notes from Lee’s cases, Angermann recorded her and took his own notes.

They released “The Fight For Justice” in July.

“Lee was the most exciting man I ever met,” said Ruth. “He brought justice for these people through his integrity and the hard facts. While doing that, he made airplane flying more safe.”

Ruth hopes readers will see Lee the way she did, as a David fighting ­Goliaths to amplify victims’ voices.

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.

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HONORING HIS MEMORY

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

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In 1950, near the start of his legal career, Lee started a firm in New York with his father, Kreindler & Kreindler.

In November 1952, a woman told the firm that she had survived the crash of National Airlines Flight 101 in Elizabeth, New Jersey. When her husband found out about the plane crash, he had a heart attack and died.

The woman had asked three other law firms to help her sue the airline. All three had turned her away because they were only interested in auto accidents.

Before his father dismissed the woman, Lee began researching to see if he could find an angle to help her.

Lee learned as much as he could about planes to see if he could figure out why the plane crashed. He started his research by working at a propeller shop for 10 days.

He then spent the next six months interviewing the surviving passengers and consulting with experts.

After discovering that the crew didn’t check the oil level before takeoff, Lee filed a lawsuit against National Airlines and won a settlement for a payout to families of over $1 million.

On Dec. 21, 1988, terrorists bombed Pan American World Airways Flight 103, a Boeing 747, over Lockerbie, Scotland, while it was en route from London to New York. The 259 people killed on board and 11 people killed on the ground were from 21 countries. It’s considered to be the most significant air disaster case of the 20th century.

Kreindler & Kreindler began first with a case against Pan Am in 1991. Pan Am was eventually found liable due to misconduct, resulting in a total payout of over $500 million to victims’ families.

In 1996, the firm filed suit against Libya on behalf of 117 families of the victims. The final three-phase settlement was reached in 2003. Libya agreed to pay $2.7 billion to the victims’ families.

It marked “the first occasion that a foreign state has appeared in a U.S. court, accepted responsibility and paid damages for a terrorist act,” according to a Kreindler & Kreindler case summary.

case. Ruth was there next to him with markers, listening and talking things through with him.

At one point, they were attending a dinner with multiple teams from the case. So Lee and Ruth tag-teamed the dinner. Lee talked with one of the teams while Ruth entertained the others.

Lee spent the next roughly 15 years traveling, researching and discussing the case. Ruth was with him every step of the way, taking notes and sharing her opinion.

Follow us on Facebook • www.longboatislandchapel.org Lord’s Warehouse Summer Hours: M-W-SAT 9 am to 12 pm

St. Mary, Star of the Sea,

All are welcome at All Angels no exceptions

Catholic Church

Would like to Welcome & Invite You, Your Family Members & Friends to Celebrate Mass with Our Parish Community MASS SCHEDULE Saturday: 4:00 PM Sunday: 8:30 AM, and 10:30 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.

Worship Service Sunday 10 a.m.

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

Worship With Us at Our Church Men’s Bible Study: Monday @ 9:00 Women’s Bible Study: Wednesday @ 10:00

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Visitors & Residents Welcome

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

Sunday Service 10:00 AM Dr. Julia Wharff Piermont, Pastor

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

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

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

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

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Growing in Jesus’ Name

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Live Stream the 10 a.m. service at AllAnglesLBK.org

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

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545 SANCTUARY DR #B406

3605 FAIR OAKS PLACE

3235 GULF OF MEXICO DR #A405

LONGBOAT KEY | OFFERED AT $1,989,999 MLS# A4597299

LONGBOAT KEY | OFFERED AT $1,625,000 MLS# A4578278

LONGBOAT KEY | OFFERED AT $1,249,000 MLS# A4602938

EY K T OA B NG O L

RT O YP BA

UB CL LD SO

RE ER I P

831 BAYPORT WAY

250 SANDS POINT RD #5105

455 LONGBOAT CLUB RD #504

LONGBOAT KEY | OFFERED AT $749,000 MLS# A4601460

LONGBOAT KEY | OFFERED AT $599,000 MLS# A4598746

LONGBOAT KEY | $2,865,000 MLS# A4593495

LD O S

GE SA

G IN D N PE

1055 GULF OF MEXICO DR #205

4651 GULF OF MEXICO DR #303

HIGEL AVENUE

LONGBOAT KEY | $1,485,000 MLS# A4571524

LONGBOAT KEY | $6,000,000 MLS# A4570877

SIESTA KEY | $16,995,000 MLS# A4537883

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE LISTING DETAILS

I A N A DDY, PA

G A I L W IT T IG

IanAddy@MichaelSaunders.com

GailWittig@MichaelSaunders.com

R E A LT O R ®, M B A

A SSOCI ATE

941.387.0100

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

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CE A L HP C A BE

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

TURNING

Dreams

your

into an ADDRESS

Anja Sandstrom ­attends a Mote summer camp thanks to the Garden Club.

Courtesy image

1055 Gulf of Mexico Drive #504 2BD | 2BA | 1,503 SqFt Beachfront, Turnkey, Rentals in place

$1,595,000

Conservation cultivation

1065 Gulf of Mexico Drive #302

2BD | 2BA Southern Exposure with Covered Parking $ 850,000

SOLD

Garden Club provides ­scholarships for 16 students to attend summer camp.

PETRA RIVERA STAFF WRITER

1125 Gulf Of Mexico Drive #402

2BD | 2BA | 1,392 SqFt Completely Updated, New Impact Windows, Covered Parking $1,250,000

T

1055 Gulf of Mexico Drive #605 2BD/2BA / 1,503 SqFt Penthouse level

1,790,000

$

Ready to Buy or SELL? Maggie Hicks, Coldwell Banker maggiehicks201@gmail.com 941.321.1759 Maggie has been a realtor for 30+ years and focuses on luxury residential real estate in South Florida.

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

428429-1

he Longboat Key Garden Club sent the most children in its history to summer camp at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium this year.

Sixteen children who live on Longboat Key or whose parents work on the island got fully funded scholarships for weeklong camps at Mote thanks to members specifically donating to the summer camp fund.

Garden Club President Melanie Dale said it’s one of the best ways to support the club’s mission of encouraging an interest in environmental concerns from a young age.

“We adopted a new motto this year: The community is our garden,” said Dale. “This has nothing to do with whether or not financially they can take care of it. It’s just our way of giving back and saying thank you to the people that are on Longboat and for all the support and donations

that they give the Garden Club year after year and season after season.”

The only requirements for this scholarship are that the children have to be between the ages of 5 and 12 and they have to live on Longboat or be children of people who work on Longboat. This year, children of Longboat Key first responders and Publix employees were sent to the camps in June.

Dale hopes she will continue to get more Longboat children to sign up for the scholarship next year. There is no limit on how many children can sign up. The Garden Club does not reject any applications.

This is one of five scholarships the Garden Club sponsors. The club also offers scholarships for children to attend Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ camps, the Gulf Coast Conservancy Youth Education Nature Program and Mote’s one-day camps.

“We had people this year writing checks specifically for summer camps because of the amazing impact they have,” said Dale. “We just want this to be an opportunity to spark an interest in these kids for ecology and taking care of our planet. So, we love to see when kids come back through us and apply for the scholarships every year.”

LAST CHANCE TO FIND YOUR NEW HOME

IN AN AMENITY RICH COMMUNITY Single Family Homes Approx. 2,078-3,426SF From Mid $800's Quick Move-Ins Available

Few Homes Remain CONTACT US

www.homesbytowne.com

941-361-2536

Resprt-Style Pool & Spa Fitness Center Boathouse | LakeHouse Bocce & Pickleball Courts Dog Parks | Playgrounds Sunset & Event Lawn

427084-1

22

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

23

Leading the market in 2024!

GRAND BAY III | $2,569,000

3030 GRAND BAY BLVD. #386 | 3BR/3.5BA | 2,925 SQ FT 8th Floor Wrap-Around Views of the Gulf, Bay, Marina & Downtown Sarasota Gated Pet-Friendly Community | World Class Amenities | On-Site Management 2 Under Building Parking Spaces & Private Beach Club Membership

+

K! D ICE N LB R TP RO ES T 3B W LO RON HF AC E B

CLUB LONGBOAT BEACH & TENNIS | $1,089,000

5055 GULF OF MEXICO DR. #436 | 3BR/3BA | 1,632 SQ FT Former Developer’s Unit | Pet-Friendly | Unique 2-Story Floor Plan Completely Updated | Turnkey Furnished | Tennis Mecca Community

CONDO ON THE BAY TOWER II

$1,199,000

GRAND BAY II

$2,295,000

OAKS

$1,545,000

GRAND BAY I

$1,775,000

988 BLVD OF THE ARTS #816 | 2BR/2BA | 1,555 SQ FT | Bay, Bridge & Sunset Views Split Floor Plan | Screened Balcony | Custom Updates | Pet-Friendly

360 NORTH POINT RD. | 3BR/3.5BA | 2,913 SQ FT | Brand New Construction Gourmet Kitchen w/Center Island | 2-Car Detached Garage w/EV Charger

5 02 2 ER Y RT ANC A U UP ST Q 1 OCC

OYSTER BAY ESTATES

3040 GRAND BAY BLVD., #283 | 3BR/3BA | 2,550 SQ FT | Direct Sunrise & Sunset Views Custom Updates | Porcelain Tile & Oak Wood Floors | Private Elevator Foyer | 2 Balconies

3060 GRAND BAY BLVD., #112 | 3BR/2BA | 2,250 SQ FT | Never Lived In Completely Updated | NW Corner Residence | Large Wrap-Around Terrace w/ Bay Views Gated Amenity-Rich Community | Pet-Friendly | Includes Private Beach Club

CE

W

NE

1429 N. LAKE SHORE DR. | 5BR/5 FULL BA & 2 HALF BA | 4,545 SQ FT Under Construction | Open Plan | Gourmet Kitchen | Wine Room | Summer Kitchen Resort-style Pool & Spa | Large Private Lot

$5,995,000

I PR

WATER CLUB I

$4,545,000

BAYSO SARASOTA

$1,739,500

1241 GULF OF MEXICO DR. #401 | 3BR/5BA | 3,400 SQ FT Gulf Views | New Wood Floors | 3 Beachfront Terraces | Private Elevator Lobby All En-Suite Baths | Gated Pet-Friendly Community

CE

THE LAKES ESTATES

$835,000

1755 OAK LAKES DR. | 3BR + 2 BA | 2,583 SQ FT | Fully Renovated and Move-In Ready Largest Lakefront Lot | New Roof | 2-Car Garage

301 QUAY COMMONS #903 | 2BR+Study/3 Full BA | 1,828 SQ FT 9th Floor | Split Floor Plan | 2 Prime Side-By-Side Parking Spaces

ST. ARMANDS OFFICE LOCATION • 443 JOHN RINGLING BLVD., STE. F | SARASOTA, FL 34236

428167-1

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

YOUR CALENDAR

Celebrating 50 YEARS of Living and Working on Longboat Key Cathy C. Meldahl, P.A. Your Longboat Key Community Realtor • Consistent top producer on Longboat Key • In-depth knowledge of the real estate market • Active in our community with Longbeach Village Association Longboat Key Historical Society Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce Longboat Key Garden Club

427357-1

941.724.7228

CathyMeldahl@michaelsaunders.com

WagnerRealty.com Your Hometown Favorite For More Than Eight Decades!

LOCAL, VETERAN OWNED & OPERATED SINCE 1939

376 Aruba Cir. #301| Marina Walk on One Particular Harbour|MLS#A4577373 | 2/2 - 3rd fl |Spacious condo $750,000 | Becky Smith/E.Starrett (941) 773-1954

MUSIC BY JOYCE CORBERT 6-9 p.m. at Whitney’s, 6990 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Vocalist Joycelyn Corbert brings a show filled with songs by Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Etta James, Chaka Khan, Marvin Gaye, The Righteous Brothers, The Temptations and many more. The combination of Motown and soul will create an experience you won’t want to miss. Call 383-4606.

RECURRING EVENTS

LECTURE BY DR. ASHBY 1:30-3 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Dr. Coeurlida Ashby will be leading a free interactive discussion on how to calculate your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Bring your most recent cholesterol and blood pressure readings. This will also be available via Zoom. Call 383-6493.

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

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

THINKING OUT LOUD 1-2:30 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Retired Lawyer Mike Karp will lead a lively discussion on current topics, such as world affairs, national politics and local issues. Bring questions, thoughts and an open mind. Call 383-6493.

154 Crescent Dr, | Anna Maria | MLS#A4610140 3/3 - 1,421 sf | Beautifully remodeled exquisite home $1,995,000 | Rennie Evans (310) 437-9336

TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS

LONGBOAT LIBRARY From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday and Friday. 555 Bay Isles Road. Call 3832011.

LONGBOAT KEY 4370 Chatham Drive, Unit 104| Longboat Harbour MLS#A4592435 | 2/2 - 1,040 sf | Great amenities | $520,000 | Ed Taaffe (636) 346-6165

TUESDAYS

PILATES SCULPT From 9-9:50 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Pilates Sculpt is a combination class, mixing traditional Pilates exercises into a fun, challenging workout to upbeat music. It will make you sweat, burn calories, and make you stronger and more flexible. This class is for all levels. Cost is $15. Walk-ins welcome.

Call 383-6493.

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

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

941.383.5577

427430-1

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS

STRETCH AND STRENGTHEN From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. This class is mostly seated and great for all fitness levels. Focus is on strength training and flexibility for balance.

Suzy Brenner leads the class. Fee is $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 3836493.

LONGBOAT KEY

612 Marbury Lane | Sleepy Lagoon Pk| MLS#A4590263 | 2/2 - 1,128 sf | Canal Front | $1,150,000 | Ed Taaffe (636) 346-6165

BEST BET

MONDAYS

LONGBOAT ANNA MARIAKEY ISLAND

BRADENTON

THURSDAY, JULY 25

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

PENTHOUSE JUST LISTED GULF & BAY VIEWS $4,995,000

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.

535 Sanctuary Dr Apt C807 | A4612424 Totally Renovated, Penthouse 3/3, 2,580 Sq Ft, Longboat Key NEW LISTING AVAILABLE $1,595,000

Courtesy image

Dr. Coeurlida Ashby

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

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

WEDNESDAYS

BEGINNER TAI CHI From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Class is outdoors, weather permitting. Cost is $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 3836493.

MARIACHI MUSIC From 5:30-8:30 p.m. at La Villa Mexican Grill, 5610 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Enjoy dinner and a serenade

by Mariachi Contemporaneo. Call 383-8033.

THURSDAYS

ZUMBA & TONING 9:45-10:30 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.

HURRICANE VACCINE & MICROCHIP CLINIC 427487-1

Sat., July 20 • 8:30am-5pm Appointments Required Call Today! 941-366-2287

1145 Gulf of Mexico Dr Unit 301 | A4616017 2/2, Full Gulf Views, Renovated, Longboat Key

2542 17th St., Sarasota, FL 34234 • catdepot.org DIRECT BAY FRONT $799,900

Dive into Daily Crossword Fun!

3070 Grand Bay Blvd #625 | A4608605 2/2, Direct Bay Views, Under Building Parking, Longboat Key

C H A L

PLAY NOW yourobserver.com/crossword

Broker Associate SPONSORED BY

427456-1

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

C C

L E N G E

Indulge in daily brain-teasers! Our website serves up fresh puzzles and clues daily, designed for your enjoyment. With a user-friendly interface and questions tailored for just the right level of challenge, it's crossword fun at its finest!

Dennis Girard

A

P T E D

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

25

WATER

on the

Reid MuRphy PResents

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

LONGBOAT KEY OHANA ESTATE

LONGBOAT KEY LIGHTHOUSE POINT

LONGBOAT KEY GULF FRONT

$

19,750,000

$

10,000 sq. ft. home on 2.67-acre Gulf front property.

12,250,000

$

Behind the gates at Longboat Key Club.

Casually elegant 3BD/3BA Key West style estate Breathtaking views.

9,970,000

NEW LISTING

ANNA MARIA ISLAND Gulf Drive, Bradenton Beach - 8BD/7BA: North Shore, Anna Maria - 5BD/6BA: Avenue A, Bradenton Beach - 8BD/9BA: 72nd St., Holmes Beach - 4BD/7BA:

15,000,000 $ 6,500,000 $ 6,500,000 $ 3,600,000 $

LONGBOAT KEY WATER CLUB

LIDO KEY NEW CONSTRUCTION

5,500,000

$

Stunning 5BD/7BA 3 level coastal home w/elevator. Beautiful Gulf, beach & downtown views from multiple balconies. Short walk to beach & St. Armands shopping. Perfect family vacation home.

Newly renovated 5BD/5BA w/elevator and high-end finishes. Breathtaking Sarasota Bay and ICW views. 10,000lb boat lift, 3 car garage & more.

LONGBOAT KEY DREAM ISLAND ROAD

2,795,000

LONGBOAT KEY NORTH

$

5,750,000

LONGBOAT KEY PROMENADE

2,330,000

$

$

$

Spectacular Gulf front 3rd floor 3BD/4BA Brighton floor plan the south building of the sensational Gulf front Water Club complex on south Longboat Key. Private elevator to open floorplan & sensational views.

Double lot on a wide canal that is 1.06 acres with 200 ft of waterfront. Update the current 4BD/3BA retreat or build a new waterfront home, or possibly two canal front homes. Great tranquil location.

Rare Opportunity. Completely renovated, fully furnished 2BR/2BA, behind the gates. Amazing finishes and fixtures. Garage parking w/ ample storage + Promenades excellent amenities.

3,595,000

SOLD

LONGBOAT KEY SLEEPY LAGOON

LONGBOAT KEY NORTH

2,695,000

LONGBOAT KEY BOATERS DREAM

$

$

$

Gulf views & steps to the beach from this 4BR/4BA home w/ elevated backyard pool & space for entertaining. Lush landscaping, four garages in great walking neighborhood.

Boater’s Dream. Gated 1/2+ acre lushly landscaped on wide canal. 3BR/2BA across the street from the beach w/new dock & seawall.

Beautiful & immaculate 3BR/2BA completely renovated. Southeast exposure on tranquil canal. Dock w/water & electric up to 10,000lb lift.

2,900,000

2,325,000

PENDING

LONGBOAT KEY PRIVATEER

LONGBOAT KEY WESTCHESTER

$

Canal front 3BD/3BA indoor/outdoor multi level living w/ lush landscaping, boat dockage, extra storage. Large screened lanai w/ heated pool.

1,395,000

$

1th floor luxury Penthouse, behind the gates of LBK Club & Resort. 2BD/2BA splitplan w/ two private terraces for Gulf, Bay and City views.

Many high-end updates and full resort ammenties.

Beachfront southern exposure 2 BD/ 2 BA split plan, corner condo. Exceptional sunsets from 2 screened lanais. Remodeled w/ outstanding finishes. Designated covered parking, 2 pools, tennis, pickleball & shuffleboard courts and more.

2,395,000

BUYING OR SELLING

CALL REID

1,150,000

for a successful real estate experience!

941.232.3304

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

REIDMURPHY.COM

427251-1

LONGBOAT KEY DEEP WATER $

26

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

Farewell, Longboat I f you ask anyone at Longboat Harbour Condominiums who is an island icon, the answer would be Larry Bateman.

After 25 years of residency on Longboat Key, Bateman is moving back to Chicago to be closer to family. Longboat residents threw Bateman a goodbye party to commemorate his involvement on the Key. Bateman is a former commodore of the Longboat Harbour Yacht Club, an avid kayaker and the toughest man in the gym, according to friends. Around 30 Longboat Harbour residents came to Chubby’s Lounge to celebrate Bateman on July 11.

Bateman and other men from the condominium have been coming to Chubby’s for happy hour every week for three years. Bateman, Sparky Pashkow and Turk McCardle started the weekly happy hour to help their friend through the grief of losing his wife.

The happy hour became a weekly tradition as more men joined.

These weekly hangouts grew a brotherly bond between the men of Longboat Harbour. The three friends have matching Chubby’s shirts to show their dedication to the bar.

“I really didn’t expect this many people to be here,” said Bateman as he walked in the back door of Chubby’s.

Pashkow and his wife, Karen, organized the party. People had drinks and pizza from Ventura’s Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar while reminiscing about their good times with Bateman.

“Larry is one of the nicest guys I have ever met,” said resident Christina Filkins. “He would do anything for anybody. It is going to be a big change not having him around.”

Larry Bateman and Georgianna Vicari

Photos by Petra Rivera

Christina Filkins signs Larry Bateman’s goodbye card.

Karen Pashkow, Drew and Larry Bateman Larry Bateman and Sparky Pashkow

— PETRA RIVERA

> edwardjones.com | Member SIPC

Technology Has Changed The Way We Buy and Sell Real Estate.

Dessert Club

We Want to List Your House

1

for

Join us for a casual discussion of current events, the economy and investing. We look forward to seeing you!

Coffee and dessert will be served.

%

When When

Where Where

Tuesday, August 6, 2024 Tuesday, July 2, 2024 3:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Edward Jones Edward Jones 595 Bay 595 Bay Isles IslesRoad, Road,Suite Suite260 260 Longboat Key, FL 34228 Longboat Key, FL 34228

We hope hope you you and and a We a guest guest will will join join us. us.Please Pleasecall callLinda Lindaatat941-263-7821 941-263-7821 or email linda.dillon@edwardjones.com by 07/30/2024. or email linda.dillon@edwardjones.com by 06/26/2024.

without Sacrificing

on Service!

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

427255-1

595 Bay Isles Rd, Ste 260 Longboat Key, FL 34228 941-263-7821

Your home will be listed with MLS, Zillow, Realtor.com and other 3rd party websites.

NOW OFFERING

Call to schedule your cleaning today!

TILE & GROUT CLEANING

All listings include use of lockbox, photography & signage

Any Room

99

$

CARPET CLEANING

99 $139

$

3 Rooms + FREE Hallway Steam Cleaned

5 Rooms + FREE Hallway Steam Cleaned

199

$

8 Rooms + FREE Hallway Steam Cleaned

AREA RUG CLEANING

20% OFF Plus an additional 10% discount cash and carry

Exclusions and Environmental fees may apply. Carpet Cleaning: Steam Clean Only, rooms up to 250 sq. ft. Stairs may be interchanged for a room.

Area Rug: $49 pick up/drop off fee for area rugs. Must bring rugs to office location and pay invoice with cash. Tile & Grout: Up to 150 sq. ft. Additional sq. ft. 66¢ per sq. ft. Ceramic or Porcelain tile only. Walls are additional. $92 minimum order. Discounts cannot be combined. Offers expire 7/31/24

428378-1

941-320-6687

428324-1

Sarasota Land & Homes Robin Eekhof & Jim Hirschman SarasotaLandandHomes.com

TeasdaleSarasota.com 941-229-7020 Water & Mold Damage 24 Hour Emergency: 941-205-7262

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

1

TOP

27

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE

%

IN THE WORLD With Coldwell Banker

$3.4 Billion Career Sales

Leah George

Steven Kepecz

Judy Kepecz-Hays

941-780-0597

941-587-1700 941-376-6411

July 4, 2024 July 18,2024

North Siesta Key Rare beachfront and bayfront estate-size homesite on North Siesta Key! This prime property offers stunning views of downtown Sarasota, Bird Key, and Lido from its expansive 120-foot private beach. Features include a deep water dock on Big Pass and 2 deeded boat slips in Bayou Louise's protected sailboat waters. Capture both sunrise and sunset from this exclusive location!

Explore more at 21LandsEndLane.com

3500 Bayou Louise LN - $10,750,000 Location, Location, Location - Exquisite gated estate on northern Siesta Key with Gulf views.

Features include 5 beds, 5.5 baths, 6,300 sq ft, a 40 x 20 pool, spa, 24K boat lift, and 12 x 20 platform. The main level includes Primary & guest suites, library, chef's kitchen, elevator, and 4-car garage. Steps to DEEDED BEACH ACCESS.

Discover more at www.3500BayouLouise.com

ARIA

Open House on Sunday 07/21 from 1-4 pm

2251 Gulf of Mexico Dr. #204 - $8,900,000 Gulf-front Aria residence on Longboat Key. Modern 3 bed + office (or 4 bed), 3.5 bath, 4,032 sq ft. Nearly new, maintenance-free. Features include a spacious 3400 sq ft terrace with a private pool & summer kitchen. Private beach stairs, stunning clubhouse with guest suites, fitness center, and 5-car garage.

Discover more at www.Aria204.com

65 Lighthouse Point Drive - $8,150,000 Luxury waterfront architectural masterpiece on South Longboat Key. Modern 4 bed + den/office + bonus area, 4.5 bath, 4,941 sq ft. Features include a stunning living room with fireplace, gourmet kitchen, and spacious family area opening to a pool and patio with water views. Includes a 3-car garage with ample storage and a private 40' dock on a wide protected basin with direct Gulf access.

Explore more at www.65Lighthouse.com

L’Ambiance 415 L’Ambiance #A401 - $6,254,000

Open House on Sunday 07/21 from 1-4pm

3312 Sable Cove Lane - $3,380,000

Luxury living awaits at L’Ambiance on Longboat Key. Updated former model, 3 bed plus flex Island living at its finest on Longboat Key. Lakefront home with southern exposure in Bay room, 3.5 bath, 3,380 sq ft. Southwest exposure with year-round sunsets, and wraparound Isles Harborside. Features 4 en-suite bedrooms + den + bonus room, 2 half baths, totaling terraces with Gulf views. Private lobby, 10 ft ceilings, marble floors, gourmet kitchen.

5,150 sq ft. Chef's kitchen with high-end appliances and custom cabinetry. Ample space with Casual elegance with upscale amenities, steps from pristine beaches. Pet-friendly.

3-car garage. Includes deeded beach access.

Explore more at LAmbianceA401.com

Discover more at 3312SabalCove.com

The VUE

1241 Gulf of Mexico Drive #105 - $2,575,000 A rare gem at The Water Club on South Longboat Key. Turnkey furnished 3 bed, 2.5 bath, 2,585 sq ft. Nearly new with garden and partial Gulf views. Southern exposure, 10 ft ceilings, wood flooring, and expansive terraces. Well-managed community with clubhouse, Olympic-sized pool, tennis, and pet-friendly policies.

Discover more at www.WaterClub105.com

1155 N Gulfstream Ave #1407 - $2,450,000 Stunning views await at The Vue. Furnished 2 bed, 2.5 bath, 1,665 sq ft. Located on the 14th floor with 10-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass walls showcasing 180-degree views of Sarasota and its islands, including sunrise, moonrise, and sunsets. Semi-private elevator access, split floor plan, concierge, social room, pool, valet parking. Southern exposure in downtown Sarasota, pet friendly.

Explore more at www.Vue1407.com

443 John Ringling Blvd, Suite F | St. Armands Circle, FL 34236 | Kepecz@JudyHays.com | www.LongboatKeyLuxury.com

427543-1

The Water Club

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

LONGBOAT KEY 3341 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,718 Sq. Ft. JoDene Moneuse 941-302-4913 A4611557 $10,500,000

SARASOTA 35 Watergate Drive 503 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,985 Sq. Ft. Joan Dickinson & Beth Afflebach 941-914-0496 A4601273 $2,975,000

LONGBOAT KEY 549 Halyard Lane 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,594 Sq. Ft. Kathy Callahan 941-900-8088 A4613818 $2,300,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 612 Emerald Lane 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,018 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4602365 $2,199,999

ANNA MARIA 798 N Shore Drive A 2,729 Sq. Ft. Linda Carroll 941-224-1337 A4603313 $2,100,000

SARASOTA 139 N Blvd Of The Presidents 4 Beds 3 Baths 1,740 Sq. Ft. Bruce A Meyer, PA 941-266-8152 A4601025 $1,900,000

LONGBOAT KEY 380 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 525 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,255 Sq. Ft. Linda Driggs 941-374-2920 A4588216 $1,749,900

LONGBOAT KEY 775 Longboat Club Road 804 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,602 Sq. Ft. Douglas Parks 941-400-9087 A4609780 $1,695,000

SARASOTA 244 N Adams Drive 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,472 Sq. Ft. Diana Kryszak 941-993-4078 A4607887 $1,400,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 524 56th Street 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,337 Sq. Ft. Steven Schield 941-650-1010 A4614652 $1,250,000

LONGBOAT KEY 3235 Gulf Of Mexico Drive A405 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,260 Sq. Ft. Ian Addy & Gail Wittig 941-961-8850 A4602938 $1,249,000

LIDO KEY 1212 Benjamin Franklin Drive 309 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,812 Sq. Ft. Pat Rodriguez 941-685-5805 A4595720 $1,200,000

SARASOTA 2110 Benjamin Franklin Drive 404 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,248 Sq. Ft. Jackie Griese 941-718-0045 A4605580 $1,190,000

LIDO KEY 1212 Benjamin Franklin Drive 607 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,421 Sq. Ft. Robert Dardas 941-376-7591 A4590874 $1,140,000

LONGBOAT KEY 1050 Longboat Club Road 904 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,409 Sq. Ft. Melissa Gissinger 941-404-2722 A4586935 $1,095,000

LONGBOAT KEY 2383 Harbour Oaks Drive 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,222 Sq. Ft. Beverly St Hilaire 818-416-2505 A4609474 $950,000

SARASOTA 1770 Benjamin Franklin Drive 203 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,168 Sq. Ft. Jill Berg 941-315-1199 A4604436 $825,000

LONGBOAT KEY 4350 Chatham Drive E307 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,072 Sq. Ft. Malihe Karimi 941-376-5099 A4613210 $749,000

LONGBOAT KEY 4350 Chatham Drive E108 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,092 Sq. Ft. Sean Clark 941-312-1146 A4616367 $729,000

LONGBOAT KEY 4234 Gulf Of Mexico Drive E2 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,248 Sq. Ft. Lenore Treiman 941-356-9642 A4585739 $699,000

LONGBOAT KEY 6700 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 139 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,305 Sq. Ft. Maruta Miluns 941-374-9720 A4611612 $679,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 4255 Gulf Drive 116 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,220 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4607469 $599,900

LONGBOAT KEY 730 Spanish Drive S 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,405 Sq. Ft. Sean Clark 941-312-1146 A4585691 $559,900

LONGBOAT KEY 6750 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 161 1 Bed 1 Baths 936 Sq. Ft. Maruta Miluns 941-374-9720 A4613966 $495,000

LONGBOAT KEY 3808 Gulf Of Mexico Drive E307 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,007 Sq. Ft. Rudy Dudon 941-234-3991 A4610677 $425,000

SARASOTA 360 N Washington Drive 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 3,951 Sq. Ft. Jeff Weller 941-266-8206 A4599067 $5,995,000

LONGBOAT KEY 510 Bowsprit Lane 5 Beds 6/1 Baths 4,234 Sq. Ft. Lynn Morris 941-400-4526 A4609109 $5,250,000

SARASOTA Ritz-Carlton Tower Residence 1205 4 Beds 4 Baths 3,659 Sq. Ft. Beth Afflebach & Joan Dickinson 941-914-0496 A4608892 $4,300,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM

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28

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

REAL ESTATE

Bird Key home tops sales at $5.7 million

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

JULY 1-5

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home on Bird Key tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. William and Patricia Geyer, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the home at 443 E. Royal Flamingo Drive to Bill and April Ann McEntee, of Saddle River, New Jersey, for $5.7 million. Built in 1977, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,426 square feet of living area.

It sold for $3,045,000 in 2006.

29

Courtesy images by Bruce Myer

David and Susan Cohen, of Sarasota, sold their home at 486 E. Royal Flamingo Drive to George Poulos and Holleh Poulos, trustees, of Sarasota, for $2.8 million.

SLEEPY LAGOON PARK BIRD KEY

David and Susan Cohen, of Sarasota, sold their home at 486 E. Royal Flamingo Drive to George Poulos and Holleh Poulos, trustees, of Sarasota, for $2.8 million. Built in 2014, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,825 square feet of living area.

LONGBOAT KEY

Nicholas and Jennifer Lambert and JNL Holdings LLC sold the home at 830 Tarawitt Drive to Michael and Susanne Leonardson, of Wilmette, Illinois, for $2.7 million. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,447 square feet of living area. It sold for $2,724,900 in 2023.

Ronald and Stephanie Ann Simon, of Brandon, sold their home at 690 Jungle Queen Way to Robert Michael Coco and Josephine Coco, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1,325,000.

Built in 1971, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,317 square feet of living area. It sold for $610,000 in 2021.

ST. ARMANDS TOWERS NORTH

Marc Hayman, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 91 condominium at 1 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Thomas Patrick Kirwan, of Sarasota, for $1.4 million. Built in 1968, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,389 square feet of living area. It sold for $235,000 in 1994.

Margaret and James Theiss, trustees, of Cincinnati, Ohio, sold the home at 548 Lyons Lane to Michael and Caroline Galati, of Tampa, for $1,135,000. Built in 1959, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,560 square feet of living area.

It sold for $975,000 in 2022.

WHITNEY BEACH

William and Patricia Connor, of Livingston Manor, New York, sold their Unit 110 condominium at 6700 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Gordon MacRae and Anne Clark, of Medford, Massachusetts, for $699,500. Built in 1969, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,025 square feet of living area. It sold for $315,000 in 2017.

INN ON THE BEACH

Binford Property Group LLC sold the Unit 6105 condominium at 225 Sands Point Road to Ana and Stewart Nelson, of Longboat Key, for $595,000. Built in 1983, it has one bedroom, one bath and 642 square feet of living area. It sold for $270,000 in 2018.

WINDWARD BAY

Jeffrey Lane Harrington, of Oxford, Mississippi, sold his Unit 6-V11 condominium at 4770 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Glenn Davis and Linda Davis, trustees, of Lakewood Ranch, for $450,000. Built in 1974, it has one bedroom, one bath and 812 square feet of living area. It sold for $505,000 in 2023.

In with the new NOW TAKING CONTRACTS

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

TOP BUILDING PERMITS These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of July 5-11 in order of dollar amounts.

LONGBOAT KEY Address

Permit

Applicant

Amount

3050 Grand Bay

Windows/Doors

Grand Bay Condo

$586,095

Blvd. Clubhouse

Clubhouse

2185 Gulf of Mexico Drive #222 Alt/Renovation

Michael Welch

$275,000

3540 Mistletoe Lane

David Doyle

$250,000

1211 Gulf of Mexico Drive #805 Alt/Renovation

Robert Buzzard

$220,000

650 Triton Bend

Christopher Czarnecki

$180,150

1085 Gulf of Mexico Drive # 602 Alt/Renovation

Dellave Holdings LLC

$131,921

567 Bay Isles Road

Temple Beth Israel

$114,330

Alt/Renovation Swimming Pool

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

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

MOVE-IN SPRING 2024

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

LONGBOAT KEY

Spa Re-roof

of Longboat Key Inc.

4760 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Alt/Renovation

Marianne Crosley

$112,520

730 Old Compass Road

Alt/Renovation

Dock/Seawall/Lift

$107,440

1045 Gulf of Mexico Drive #305 Windows/Doors

Joan Mascioli

$103,814

2089 Gulf of Mexico Drive #305 Alt/Renovation

2089 Gulf of Mexico

$98,000

Drive Unit 305 LLC

GOLDEN GATE POINT

1105 Gulf of Mexico Drive #501 Windows/Doors

MASKA LLC

$90,729

1095 Gulf of Mexico Drive #301 Windows/Doors

Ramel Diab Living Trust

$90,729

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

609 Halyard Lane

Swimming Pool

Darlene M. Kelly

$90,646

Spa

Revocable Trust

Windows/Doors

Marie Christine Belfi

1930 Harbourside Drive #137

$82,911

Loughlin Revocable

1095 Gulf of Mexico Drive #303 Windows/Doors

Calvin Holmquist

$69,298

1055 Gulf of Mexico Drive #305 Windows/Doors

Susan M. Pickens

$69,298

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

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

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

Revocable 1085 Gulf of Mexico Drive #303 Windows/Doors

Badiola Family

Limited Partnership

1085 Gulf of Mexico Drive #203 Windows/Doors

Alexander Multak

$69,298

1065 Gulf of Mexico Drive #502 Windows/Doors

Lenny Schwab

$69,298

$69,298

Prices as of November 2023

Source: Town of Longboat Key

427632-1

MichaelSaunders.com/New-Homes | 844.591.4333 | Sarasota, Florida

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

T H E G R O U P

Tracey Stetler

Steven Moore

Patrick DiPinto

Rene DiPinto

Nicholle DiPinto McKierman

We are a collaboration of savvy real estate professionals with decades of local experience. We focus on selling exceptional properties located in downtown and on our local islands. We represent buyers and sellers in our marketplace with a unique viewpoint, as we live in the communities that we sell. This local perspective makes us experts in our field, allowing us to provide you all the information for you and your family to make the best decision in your real estate endeavor.

5444 GULF OF MEXICO DR | LONGBOAT KEY $6,900,000.00 – Bayfront 1.06 Acres 5 Beds 5 Baths 6,000 Sq. Ft. Rooftop Terrace and Private Beach Contact: Tracey Stetler 941-266-9001

5440-5442 GULF OF MEXICO DR | LONGBOAT KEY 6,900,000.00 – Vacant Land 2.08 Acres Proposed for 7 Buildable Lots w/Private Beach Contact: Tracey Stetler 941-266-9001

4136 HIGEL AVE | SIESTA KEY $16,995,000 – Under Contract 5 Beds 7 Baths 8,964 Sq. Ft. 1 Acre Modern Compound Contact: Patrick DiPinto 941-323-0033

610 YARDARM LN | LONGBOAT KEY $4,699,000 – 1 House from the Bay 4 Beds 4 Baths 4,138 Sq. Ft. 130’ of Water Frontage Contact: Nicholle DiPinto 941-928-2922

405 28TH STREET | ANNA MARIA ISLAND $3,600,000 – 3,735 Sq. Ft. 5 Beds 4 Baths 80’ of Waterfront Contact: Steven Moore 401-767-7180

109 WARBLER LN | BIRD KEY $11,750,000 – Under Construction 4 Beds 5 Baths 5,292 Sq. Ft. 125’ of Bird Key Bayfront Contact: Patrick DiPinto 941-323-0033

3621 SAN REMO TER | SARASOTA $9,750,000 – Under Construction 5 Beds 7 Baths 5,328 Sq. Ft. 400’ Wide Bay Inlet Contact: Patrick DiPinto 941-323-0033

1212 CENTER PLACE | LIDO SHORES $6,995,000 – New Construction 5 Beds 6 Baths 4750 Sq. Ft. Rooftop Terrace and Private Beach Contact: Steven Moore 401-767-7180

6489 GULFSIDE ROAD | LONGBOAT KEY $16,995,000 – Under Construction 4 Beds 5 Baths 6,614 Sq. Ft. 100’ of Beachfront Contact: Steven Moore 401-767-7180

941 - 388 - 2 0 2 1

53 S PALM AVENUE, SARASOTA, FL 34236

WWW.THEDIPINTOGROUP.COM | @THEDIPINTOGROUP

The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, country 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 without personal verification. Affiliated real estate agents are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. 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 principals of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

426486-1

30

YourObserver.com

31

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

SUNRISE / SUNSET

FRIDAY, JULY 19

WEATHER

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST

Sunrise Sunset

High: 89 Low: 79 Chance of rain: 51%

Thursday, July 18

6:47a

8:26p

Friday, July 19

6:47a

8:25p

Saturday, July 20

6:48a

8:25p

Sunday, July 21

6:48a

8:24p

SATURDAY, JULY 20

Monday, July 22

6:49a

8:24p

High: 89 Low: 79 Chance of rain: 58%

Tuesday, July 23

6:49a

8:23p

Wednesday, July 24

6:50a

8:23p

MOON PHASES SUNDAY, JULY 21 High: 90 Low: 79 Chance of rain: 79%

July 21 Full

July 27 Last

Aug. 4 New

Aug. 12 First

TIDES Highs Lows

Patrick Bogert captured this photo of a nearly full moon over Longboat Key.

Thursday, July 18

9:24a

—

—

6:37p

Friday, July 19

10:13a

—

—

7:23p

Saturday, July 20

11:03a

—

—

8:06p

Sunday, July 21

11:55a

—

—

8:46p

Monday, July 22

3:55a

12:48p

6:44a

9:25p

Tuesday, July 23

4:00a

1:44p

7:57a

10:01p

Wednesday, July 24

4:10a

2:41p

9:04a

10:36p

Submit your photos at YourObserver.com/contests. All submissions will be entered for the 2024-25. Weather and Nature photo contest. In February 2025, 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

Daily crossword puzzles available at YourObserver.com/crossword

UH, RIGHT by Sam Koperwas, edited by Jeff Chen 2 Fashion designer Anna

65 Winning blackjack

3 Hardly hardy

combo

4 Scully and Starling

66 Brand for sore eyes

5 Film that’s repulsive

67 Speculate

6 Starter packs?

68 Chinese dynasty during

7 Sampled

which the Forbidden City

8 You, in Yucatan

was constructed

9 Hawaiian comfort food

69 Fool, in British slang

10 Musician Yoko

70 Symbol of royalty in

11 Chilean child

ancient Egypt

12 Forty winks

74 Jump up and shout

13 D.C. fundraising org.

“Surprise,” perhaps

14 Range

75 Hardly a walk in the park

15 Mister’s issue?

76 Sport with traps

16 Civil rights activist Sylvia 78 Back at sea who received a Presidential 79 Dazed and confused Medal of Freedom

80 Traces

17 Forty winks, in Oaxaca

81 Belief system

19 Pollution stat

82 Moxie

20 Skulk in a catlike man-

85 “Casablanca” role

ner

86 Snicker bit

22 Oscar-winning director

87 Keyboard abbr.

Lee

89 Symbols of freshness

26 Be for real

92 Medicinal hemp product

28 Asian megalopolis

93 Navel, e.g.

29 Give’s one’s blessing to

94 Pax ___

celebrity cipher

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“KLP HVA AXI CKXU HXNWF KLP CJVYY KLNWFC NC KLP HVA AXI KLNWT AXI’SP VMXDP PDPSAMXHA PYCP.” TPDNW LVSK

“PY FJPUPYK C YNDVW, FXVY PY BNGEU, XCDV UFN KGSZ TNAV UXJNGKX UXV BNNJ FPUX KGYZ.” JCSANYB TXCYBWVJ

“EX DU DUJOEWPOY NUJZK EX DU RXOCKUYP. RXO TXZ’E ZUUT EX DU JBBUVEUT DR XEIUCK. RXO ZUUT EX JBBUVE RXOCKUYP.”

EIWBI ZIJE IJZI

Puzzle Three Clue: O equals U

crossword

Puzzle Two Clue: G equals U

426191-1

Sarasota 941.355.8437 | Bradenton 941.748.4679 | Venice 941.493.7441 | manasotaonline.com

Come Shop our Showrooms!

Puzzle One Clue: U equals P

at MANASOTA FLOORING INC

© 2024 NEA, Inc.

31 Bible’s “man of the field” 95 Puts two and two 32 On pins and needles

together?

35 Mass seating

96 Baseball superstar

Leonard

36 Start of “school”?

Ohtani

©2024 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

diagnosis

70 Retiring, in a way

1 “Dream on!”

38 *Feature of a trick joint? 71 Seance invitee

103 Awfully?

37 Key to advancement?

97 Righteous character who

5 Used as a chair

42 Model from South Korea 72 Plum relatives

delivers Chaucer’s final tale

12 Contractual issues?

44 Island in a popular board 73 Elects

104 Title shared by Angelina 39 Without difficulty Jolie and Helen Mirren 40 It can be pressed for

18 LED item

game

77 TV chef Garten

106 Spot

a meal

103 Root word?

19 Perform in concert

45 Stirrup site

78 Reebok rival

108 Civic competition

41 Transfer directions

105 Massage targets?

20 Wrinkly dog

46 *Red giant probe?

83 Smith known as the

21 *Hairy situation?

50 “I didn’t do it!”

“Poet Laureate of Punk”

111 Back together ... for now 43 Your, in Scripture 113 *Zoo crew that’s for the 44 Attend uninvited

23 Swiss site of Europe’s

54 Spacek with a star on

84 *Pushing up daisies,

birds?

47 Shakespearean frenemy 109 Crushes, slangily

oldest covered bridge

the Hollywood Walk of Fame perhaps?

119 Discounts

48 Earth goddess

110 HI-strung thing

24 Perk up

55 Major tower, in brief

120 “Madame Secretary”

49 Remoulade relative

112 Contemporary “art”

25 Let out

56 Legendary mountaineer 90 “Nope” director Jordan

star

51 Letter-shaped fastener

114 So far

27 Backs up

57 ___ beauty

91 Grounds for legal action? 121 Dancer’s dip

52 Camping kit

115 “Braveheart” refusal

28 Snoop ___

58 “It’s like deja vu all over

92 *”Eye hope you see the

122 Tenants’ paperwork

53 Prior to, in prior times

30 Euripedes tragedy

again” or “I never said most humor in this” and others?

123 Like most slippers

58 Pass word?

116 State tree of Massachusetts and North Dakota

33 Compass dir.

of the things I said”

96 Small detail

124 Song with a spelled-out

59 Simmering

117 Flair of the WWE

34 Hanoi holiday

61 Fruitless

98 Likely spots to find mice title

60 Hosts

118 Setting for many

35 Nickname for an Asian

63 *”Did you hear that my

99 “Dude!”

62 “___ chance!”

schools

toy

idiot husband is building a

100 Promising letters

36 All-too-common V.A.

giant boat?!”?

101 Gospel singer ___ Cobbs

88 Close

DOWN 1 “The Golden Bachelor” network

102 Location for locks

sudoku

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

107 Some first responders, for short

63 Actress Fisher 64 It’s a lark ©2024 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

7-18-24

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

RED PAGES INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

Vacation/ Seasonal Rentals

FOR RENT - High/Dry indoor boat slip. Up to 23’. Excellent boating location - S Longboat Key. Easy Gulf/Bay access.

Call 941-544-5597

Use the RED PAGES to clean out your garage

CALL 941-955-4888 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.

RED PAGES AD RATES

Boats BOAT FOR SALE- 1984 vintage Chris-Craft Catalina. 25’.

Best Offer.

914-548-5300

Merchandise Wanted GOLD, SILVER BUYING w/ CASH. RETIRED INVESTOR Diamonds, Coins, Jewelry, Watches & Pocket Watches.

Free House Calls.

Discrete/ Confidential. Call David 813-439-2694

SELL YOUR STUFF

GARAGE

SALE

Advertise as low as $17.50 per week!

First 15 words ................. $ 15.00 per week Each add’l word .......25¢

15% DISCOUNT FOR 4-WEEK RUN 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

941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages 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!

jobs

real estate Condos/Apts. for Sale

GARAGE SALE As low as $17.50 per week!

941-955-4888

THE MEADOWS GOLF &CC Updated 2 br/2ba. 1 car garage, water view, vaulted ceilings, plantation shutters, fireplace, jacuzzi tub, turnkey furnished.

Excellent rental history. $499,900 Call 904-556-8900

THE BUSINESS OBSERVER newspaper is seeking a fast-paced, detail-oriented Proofreader / Typist for a part-time position in Sarasota, Florida.

Hours are 9am-2pm, Mon-Fri. Candidates must be able to type at least 75 WPM with great accuracy and proofread typed material and make corrections. Attention to detail is a MUST. Proofreading entails finding errors in the typed print that varies from the original document, not actually editing the documents for errors.

The ideal candidate will have strong computer software and hardware skills. Familiarity with Adobe InDesign and Filemaker Pro is a plus. Florida notary certification is also a plus.

Please email your resume and WPM typing speed for immediate consideration to kboothroyd@businessobserverfl. com. Please also specify your available date to start. *This position must be performed in the office. No remote work is available.

Competitive pay, paid time off and health insurance available

BUY & SELL HERE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

Vacation/ Seasonal Rentals WEEKLY MONTHLY SEASONAL RATES Beachfront, Bayfront and In Between Houses or Condos Reservations 941-383-5577 wagnerlbkrentals@gmail.com Visa/MC 5360 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Suite 101 Longboat Key, FL 34228 Rental office 9a.m. - 5p.m.

M-F Ask about our special rates!

Wagner Realty Since 1939 www.rentalsonlongboat.com

Adult Care Services CAREGIVER - LICENSED CNA 6 years experience w/ dementia & other ailments.

4-12 hrs, 5 days/ week & some weekends. $25-$30/ hr.

Best care for your loved one.

References avail. Marina 786-906-8103 Use the RED PAGES to clean out your garage CALL 941-955-4888

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

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

Painting

RED PAGES CALL TODAY 941-955-4888

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 PAINTING, LLC INTERIOR / EXTERIOR / CABINETS WE ARE THE BEST!!!

Residential & Commercial.

Fully Insured.

CALL or TEXT Don 941-900-9398

This week’s Crossword answers

Advertise your business or service in the Observer

Transportation TOP NOTCH TRANSPORTATION Airport Taxi Service Island to SRQ- $45 Island to Tampa- $90 Add XL- $20 Luxury cars • Over 8,000 trips Regular Hours • Never Late!

Doctors Appts. • All Rides on the Gulf Coast

941-718-9933

www.topnotchtransportation service.com

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “The day you stop doing the small things is the day you think you’re above everybody else.”

Kevin Hart Puzzle Two Solution: “In writing a novel, when in doubt, have two guys come through the door with guns.”

Raymond Chandler Puzzle Three Solution: “To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.”

Thich Nhat Hanh

This week’s Sudoku answers

©2024 Universal Uclick

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

©2024 NEA, Inc.

Boat Slips for Rent/Sale

CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

FOR LEASE: 1,750 Sq. ft. in Bradenton. Office or Medical. Call Frank 941-720-2199

Help Wanted

You’re only cheating yourself.

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

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer.

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

Autos Wanted

peekers’ place

Items Under $200

Commercial Property for Rent

auto

stuff

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.

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

Call 941-383-3338.

Paint the town RED!

DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at 2PM Service Directory - Friday at 3PM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card

home services

redpages@yourobserver.com • yourobserver.com/redpages

YourObserver.com

33

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024

Attorney Attorney

GET YOUR YOUR LIFE LIFE BACK! BACK! GET

SARASOTA PAINTING, PAINTING, LLC LLC SARASOTA

Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

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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. 417318-1

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