Longboat Observer 1.6.22

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SEASON

SEASON WINTER 2022

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T H E O B S E R V E R ’S G U I D E TO T H E A R TS AND SOCIETY

Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

INSIDE

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FREE • THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

VOLUME 44, NO. 22

YOUR TOWN

Following new standards Interim chief now leads former chief’s blueprint for police agency update. PAGE 3

File photo

Rotarian takeover

If more is merrier, the Rotary Club of Longboat Key made the weekend before Christmas very merry indeed. The club took over the Salvation Army bell ringing schedule from the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key and manned the red kettle on Dec. 18 and 19.

Though Kiwanis organizes the bell ringing every year, the two service clubs have collaborated on the charity efforts in the past. This year, 13 different club members showed up and donned the red apron over their blue Rotary shirts. Jeff and Terri Driver came in Santa hats for a little extra pre-Christmas spirit.

Aside from Rotarians, members of Christ Church of Longboat Key also helped out during bell ringing.

MEET ME AT

MACCABIAH Athlete plans to compete in Israel. PAGE 16

File photo

Construction is expected to finish in 2022 on the Sage condominiums.

Concrete plans for construction rise Major projects will dominate in 2022.

SEE PAGE 5 Courtesy photo

Kale, yeah, it’s a new garden

A+E

Please be seeded. The Paradise Center edible garden has begun.

The Paradise Center received a $2,000 grant from the Longboat Key Garden Club in May to start the garden, but it held off until after the hottest days of summer. Executive Director Suzy Brenner hired a group called Sol Botanicals, which specializes in community gardens, to suggest what they should grow and where to grow it. So far, there are tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, kale, lettuce, green beans, sunflowers and several herbs in the two raised beds.

Brenner said there are a few dedicated volunteers who make sure the beds get enough water and fertilizer, as well as make sure the plants aren’t being too heavily poached by various critters. Hopefully, Brenner said, The Paradise Center will be able to keep it going through more grants.

Hot tickets in ’22.

INSIDE

Nat Kaemmerer

Larry Greenspon practices a serve at the Longboat Key Tennis Gardens.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

File photos

Above: On the dais, barriers have separated commission and board members to ensure safety. Right: Inside the Town Commission Chambers, the town has used signage to ensure members of the public are maintaining at least 6 feet of social distancing.

Return of the mask stated Sarasota County’s positivity rate is about 16.5% and Manatee County’s is 18.2%.

“When that gets below 10%, that’s a good sign,” Harmer said. “When it gets below 5%, we feel safer that there’s not as much infection out there. There is some concerning news about how infectious this variant is, but there’s also some more positive news in that it appears, at least at this point, to be a less severe impact.”

The town is asking for anyone unvaccinated to wear a mask at all times while indoors at Longboat Key facilities. Masks are required indoors for all visitors in common areas and when they can’t social distance. The town is also providing masks for anyone who needs one.

“Gaiters/buffs do not qualify, as

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

L

ongboat Key this week reimplemented many of its COVID-19 restrictions to start the new year with the recent spread of the omicron variant.

The policies took effect on Monday.

“We’ve tried to be flexible based on the actual circumstances when we’ve made decisions about precautions and restrictions, and we watch the data in a number of different ways,” Town Manager Tom Harmer said.

Harmer sent an email to the Town Commission on Sunday. It stated the state’s COVID-19 positivity rate is at about 26.5% from Dec. 27 - Jan. 2. In the same timespan, Harmer’s email

Inside town facilities, Longboat Key is requiring precautions again. they do not provide the necessary protection,” Harmer wrote in an email.

However, anyone attending a public meeting like a Town Commission meeting may remove their mask once seated and social distancing of at least six feet is established. The town is also listing the number of seats available in the Town Commission chambers.

Longboat Key’s revised COVID-19 precautions on Monday mark the first time since mid-October 2021 where the town has required masks inside its facilities.

Longboat Key is also reimplementing its temperature stations and temperature checks for all visitors into town buildings. Anyone with a fever will be asked to leave.

“Over this past week, we’ve been

strategically planning to reimplement some of those same precautions we had in place from the delta variant, so that’s what we did,” Harmer said.

Harmer said the reason to reimplement the town’s COVID precautions was to keep town employees, residents and visitors safe.

Longboat Key’s Public Tennis Center will require masks inside the pro shop and restrooms. Indoor use of Bayfront Park is also limiting classes to 20 participants or less. Any planned outdoor events will require a safety plan.

The town encourages the public to continue to do business by using technology, phones, email, the town’s website, drop boxes or scheduling a meeting with staff in advance if an in-person meeting is necessary.

Harmer said the town plans to re-evaluate whether to continue to COVID-19 precautions in two weeks.

“That’s kind of been our historical practice is we we monitor on it almost on a daily basis, but the data generally is available weekly now,” Harmer said. “And, so we look at that on a weekly basis and we want to look at it to get enough of a trend to see what’s happening.”

The town is also encouraging people to get vaccinated and booster shots.

In July 2021, the state provided Longboat Key with data that showed the town’s residents had a vaccination rate near 100%. It’s unknown how many Longboat Key residents have received booster shots.

Harmer said the town is still planning to hold its seven-session Citizens Academy, but will monitor conditions. The town is scheduled to hold its annual Citizens Academy on a weekly basis from Jan. 12 to Feb. 23.

The Longboat Key Town Commission is set to meet next on Jan. 10.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

EARNING ACCREDIDATION Interim police chief spearheads a drive to gain state recognition with the help of a report from the previous chief and a big donation.

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

T

he Longboat Key Police Department is preparing for the state’s multiyear accreditation process, inspired by a blueprint left by a previous chief and now managed by the interim chief who replaced her.

“It’s not a participation award that you just do it, and then you get an award,” interim Police Chief George Turner said. “You have to earn it.”

Accreditation establishes formal standards to increase capabilities, fight crime and reduce liability risks.

The process is conducted by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, which is a division of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

The Longboat Key Police Department is unaccredited by any organiation. About 44% of police agencies statewide are accredited, according to FDLE statistics.

Turner was hired in late April 2021 following Chief Kelli Smith’s departure after six months and has experience in steering agencies through the process, which he hopes can begin early this year.

The town aims to hire a part-time manager or company to handle the day-to-day work, which Turner said could affect the timeline.

“The ideal thing would have been to find someone, but I said right from the beginning, that’s a long shot (of) finding someone that will come out here and do that on a part-time basis that’s qualified,” he said.

There are 264 standards that make up the CFA’s accreditation process, of which 156 are mandatory. Departments must comply with at least 80% of the remaining 108 standards.

2021 ASSESSMENT

Turner said the police department has addressed many of the concerns raised in an April 2021 review and assessment of the Longboat Key Police Department prepared

by Smith and delivered less than a month before she resigned to take the police chief role at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers.

Smith declined a request for an interview for this story.

“With good policy comes better practice / better practice becomes high-level police services, accountability and the ability to withstand scrutiny,” Smith wrote.

Turner said the department is already acting on Smith’s report, making changes in a series of polices and procedures.

Among her notes: n Smith’s report suggested the town spend an initial $115,770 to update the police department’s policies, training, equipment and technology, some of which was approaching the end of its service life. Her report estimates $51,000 annually to remain up to date after the initial expenditure. n Smith wrote that the police department began using specialized Power DMS software on March 1, 2021, for cloud-based storage for policy documents, directives and training applications to replace a system based on Microsoft Word documents maintained on a computer drive. “There is no manageable way to document policy revisions and staff acknowledgment of changes,” she wrote.

Harmer said he didn’t know how long the police department had used its previous software before implementing Power DMS. “I think Power DMS is a software that is aligned with the accreditation process in law enforcement,” Harmer said.

“It’s also used by a number of fire departments for their accreditation process as a structured way to manage policies, which gives you some additional abilities to track, policy development, policy discretion and policy-related training (and) documentation.” n Smith’s report outlined the need to replace outdated equipment such car cameras and tasers.

Turner said the Barancik Foun-

INITIAL COSTS

n Accreditation: $157,750 n Training and Policy

Development: $24,000 n Technology: $93,100 n Total: $274,850

Figures provided by Town Manager Tom Harmer

dation’s $274,850 donation over a three-year period will help the police department pay for accreditation related expenses, training initiatives, technology upgrades and development of new policies.

The connection between the Longboat police and the Barancik Foundation is a tragic one, but also one borne of Margery and Charles Barancik’s love of their home.

FATAL CRASH

The philanthropic couple died in a December 2019 crash involving a Longboat Key police SUV responding to a fire-alarm call on the south end of the island.

An investigation found officer Jeffery Vogt violated police department rules on speed 21 times between September 2019 and Dec. 18, 2019, the day the crash took place.

The police SUV was going 84 mph just before the deadly crash, which was in violation of town police policies. He also was found to have turned off his police vehicle’s video and speed recording equipment.

Vogt was seriously injured in the crash. The town fired him following the investigation.

“I know that Chuck and Margery would be very pleased that we’re helping their community and keep their friends and fellow community members safer,” said Barancik Foundation President and CEO Teri Hansen.

After the fatal crash, the Barancik Foundation contracted the Center for Public Safety Management to evaluate the police driving training of the Longboat Key Police Department, North Port Police Department, Sarasota Police Department, Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and the Venice Police Department.

Turner said the town’s police officers have since undergone an emergency vehicle operator course at the North Port Police Department.

He said the town’s police department now has real-time data on the whereabouts of its patrol vehicles and several parameters including speed.

“We have what they call a Samurai system,” Turner said. “And, it goes on every one of the patrol cars and we can tell exactly (in) real-time, locations, speed, and actually you can map where the cars are going.”

Smith’s report also called for the town to spend $27,000 to purchase

rifles for police and to provide the necessary training.

“I know that she wanted to hang long rifles and the guys would like to have long rifles, and we don’t have long rifles,” Turner said. “Well, that’s something for me to talk to Tom Harmer about someday.”

Smith also proposed for Longboat Key police to purchase body cameras.

WHAT’S NEXT

Turner insists the Longboat Key Police Department will not fail the CFA’s accreditation process.

Part of the reason Harmer decided to hire Turner on an interim basis was due to his familiarity working as a town police department captain.

Turner also helped the city of Brooksville’s now-defunct police department get accredited.

“He’s doing what he was asked to do, and we’ve been addressing a number of issues in the police department, under his leadership,” Harmer said. “I have a process that I’m going through before we make any final determination and I make any final determination on an appointment to the position.”

Harmer said he anticipated he would take between 30-60 days to make an appointment for the permanent police chief position.

Harmer also has accreditation experience outside of Longboat Key. For nearly five years, he has served as treasurer and secretary of the Central for Public Safety Excellence. The Chantilly, Virginia-based non-profit helps departments with accreditation all over the country.

The experience won’t just help the town’s police department.

“Our fire department is in the early stages of looking at accreditation, but they’re not as far along as the police department,” Harmer said.

Above: George Turner has served as Longboat Key’s interim police chief since late April 2021. Below: Longboat Key Marine Officer Joshua Connors is pictured on one of the town’s police boats.

Bottom: The Longboat Key Police Department often assists the Fire Rescue Department on emergency calls.

Courtesy photo

File photos

Former Longboat Key Chief Kelli Smith’s resigned in late April 2021.

She now works as the police chief of Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers.

Courtesy photo

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

Citizens Academy to return

We are there when you can’t be.

The free classes about the town government are offered starting Jan. 12.

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

Longboat Key Town Manager Tom Harmer said the town is still planning to launch its annual Citizens Academy this month even with the spread of the COVID-19 omicron variant.

Harmer said the town will monitor conditions before making a final determination to hold the free inperson classes.

“We’re looking at what safety precautions we need to put in place,” Harmer said. “We prefer not to cancel the Citizens Academy.”

The Citizens Academy is set to start at 9 a.m. on seven consecutive Wednesdays from Jan. 12 to Feb. 23.

Each session is scheduled to run until 11:30 a.m.

On Monday, Longboat Key reestablished many of its COVID-19 precautions at town facilities to keep staff and the public safe. It includes requiring masks to be worn in common areas and when people can’t socially distance themselves.

Harmer said the town plans to reevaluate its COVID-19 procedures in two weeks.

“We’ll do everything we can to try and identify a safe environment for the attendees, and that’s what we’re working on now,” Harmer said.

Several members of the Town Commission and the Planning and Zoning Board have participated in the Citizens Academy when the town has offered it in previous years.

“This is one way for those residents who have an interest in understanding what their town government does to give them a deeper dive of how we operate and pull the curtain back a little bit to share about how their government provides services,” Harmer said. “It has side benefits in that the town is always looking for volunteers, advisory board members and other interested parties as well.”

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Residents can sign up by calling Assistant to the Town Manager Susan Phillips at 316-1999 ext. 1212 or by emailing SPhillips@LongboatKey.org.

Last year, the town held its free virtual “IntroLBK 2021” classes in lieu of the Citizens Academy because of the pandemic. In 2021, the town held the “IntroLBK 2021” courses from March 23-25 and again from June 22-24.

The town of Longboat Key hasn’t held its annual Citizens Academy course in person since February 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

THE AGENDA Here’s what the Citizens Academy is expected to cover: Jan. 12: Town Manager Tom Harmer, Town Attorney Maggie Mooney and Town Clerk Trish Shinkle provide a brief history, an overview of the town charter, state and open government laws, elections, official recordings and meetings.

Jan. 19: The IT department provides a behind the scenes look at the town’s digital offerings.

The Finance Department also explains how tax dollars are spent.

Jan. 26: The Planning, Zoning and Building Department is expected to explain its role. Code enforcement is also expected to share how it maintains neighborhood standards.

Feb. 2: Support Services and Parks and Recreation are to set to explain the town’s wellness programs, doing business with the town, human resources, the Public Tennis Center, public beach access points and the town’s parks.

Feb. 9: The Public Works Department is expected to explain town facilities and infrastructure. An equipment tour is also scheduled.

Feb. 16: Police Department: How officers serve and protect the town.

Feb. 23: Fire Rescue Department: Explaining public safety and emergency services provided to the town.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

COMING IN 2022

A lot of brick, a lot of mortar coming this year Construction crews are expected to make progress on the St. Regis project, Sage condos and the Town Center stage.

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

I

t’s no secret the population size of Longboat Key triples during snowbird season.

While it might seem busier on the island, it’s not just the returning snowbirds who are making it so. In 2022, there will be a large contingent of construction workers coming and going, building some of the island’s soon-to-be signature properties.

Here are some of Longboat Key’s major construction projects:

ST. REGIS DEVELOPMENT

Work began on Oct. 25 to build the five-star St. Regis Hotel and luxury condominium complex at 1620 Gulf of Mexico Drive. The project is worth about $800 million.

As many as 800 workers at once are expected to be at the 17.6-acre beachfront site to finish the project by spring 2024.

In October, the Longboat Key Town Commission provided its final approval of the site development plan and the planned-unit development application.

Orlando-based developer Unicorp National Developments Corp. plans to build 69 condo units and 166 hotel units along with restaurants and other facilities, many of them open to the public.

Advertised prices for the St. Regis residential units range from $2 million to $20 million.

There are expected to be about 468 total parking spaces, of which there will be 62 mechanical vehicle lifts in the hotel’s valet garage.

It’s been about three years since the demolition of the former Colony

Resort’s buildings and other structures.

SAGE CONDOS

Luxury condominiums are also coming to 4651 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Sage occupies the site of the former Sun ‘n’ Sea Cottages & Apartments.

PMG and Sarasota-based Floridays Development Co. are the property’s developers, while the architect is Sarasota-based Hoyt Architects.

Sage is building 16 condos in a four-story building at the 3.18-acre site. Prices start at $4 million.

The four-story Sage will have units that range from 3,950 to 4,250 square feet. Each residence will have 12-foot ceilings, 8-foot entry doors, floor-to-ceiling windows, marble and wood flooring, Italian cabinetry, multiple parking spaces in their garages and a private elevator.

Sage plans to create 39 parking spots.

In the fall, Sun N Sea Inc. sold the 3.4-acre resort for $13.25 million.

Completion of Sage is expected in late 2022.

File photos

TOWN CENTER STAGE

The town-owned site at 600 Bay Isles Road is getting a long-anticipated, 50-foot-wide stage.

In December, Town Commissioners approved calling the to-be-built centerpiece of the Town Center Green the Karon Family Pavilion.

Residents Paul and Sarah Karon are donating $500,000 to the Longboat Key Foundation to fund the structure’s construction.

Events planned at the Town Center site will operate around stage construction.

If all goes according to plan, the new stage could be ready in time for next year’s snowbird season.

CROSSWALK IMPROVEMENTS

The Florida Department of Transportation is planning to bring two new styles of crosswalks in the next two years to Gulf of Mexico Drive.

The state wants to monitor before

Above left: As many as 800 workers at once are expected at the St. Regis site. Top right: A rendering of the proposed Sage Longboat Key condominium development at 4651 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Above right: The town of Longboat Key provided renderings of the 50-foot stage concept at the Town Center site.

and after peak-season results by: Adding in-roadway lighting at GMD and Longboat Club Road near the Country Club Shores IV North entrance. FDOT said it would cost about $76,800 for construction, which could start this fiscal year.

Replacing an existing rectangular rapid flashing beacon with a new pedestrian hybrid beacon at GMD at Bayfront Park. FDOT said it would cost about $352,500 for construction, which could start in fiscal year 2023.

While the proposed crosswalk near Bayfront Park would have red lights to get cars to stop for pedestrians crossing the street, the lights in front of the Country Club Shores IV North entrance would remain yellow.

In October, FDOT Senior Project Manager Walter Breuggeman explained why rectangular rapid flashing beacons can’t use red lights. Breuggeman said RRFBs are a proprietary product to serve as an advanced warning to drivers to yield to pedestrians.

A switch to a red-light system would require changing out the town’s six RRFB crosswalks to a pedestrian hybrid beacon system, which was formerly known as highintensity activated crosswalk, or HAWK system.

The town of Longboat Key has six pedestrian crossings along GMD: n Country Club Shores Phase IV (North entrance) and Longboat Club Road (North entrance);

n Just north of the Diplomat and Turtle Coffee Bar; n Bayfront Park; n Banyan Bay Club just north of Sandham Place (5200 block of GMD); n North of Companion Way at Cedars West (5600 block GMD); and n Between Broadway Street and North Shore Road.

Design work is also underway for a proposed roundabout at GMD and Broadway Street.

In January, the Manatee County Commission plans to consider contributing $150,000 for the design of the Broadway roundabout project.

If Manatee County commissioners vote against the measure, the town would have to pay for the entire design cost of about $300,000.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

HAVE YOU MET

COMING IN 2022

Turtle time

BOB?

The rules officially take effect on Jan. 2, 2022, but are applicable during sea turtle season from May 1 - Oct. 31.

File photo

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

A new year means new rules, and Longboat Key is no exception.

Longboat Key code enforcement officer Chris Kopp recently held the first of three informational sessions about the updated turtle rules.

While the rules took effect on Jan. 2, they are only applicable during turtle season, May 1 - Oct. 31.

“I understand that as ordinances change, sometimes, people don’t live here year-round,” Kopp said. “They may not be aware of all the rules and regulations we have, so really this phase is to kind of educate everyone.”

The updated regulations address exterior lighting, items left on the beach at night, building, permitting and inspection requirements, prohibited activities and more.

The town made more than 70 changes.

“You can almost say we rewrote the entire ordinance,” Kopp said.

“The majority of the changes were very minor.”

The changes include: n Requiring all sources of artificial light visible from the beach to come from turtle-friendly bulbs and turtle-friendly fixtures, minimizing the amount of light that reaches the beach. n No temporary structures or portable recreation equipment can be within 5 feet of marked marine turtle nests. There was no such prohibition previously. n Prohibiting the operation of motorized vehicles with some exceptions, including for law enforcement, emergencies, permitted construction projects or tourism properties that have a recreational-use agree-

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A baby turtle from Longboat Key was rehabbing in summer 2020 after it disoriented and ended up in a pool.

THE COSTS

VIOLATIONS n $100 for first violation/day n $250 for second violation/day n $500 for third violation(s)/day SPECIAL MAGISTRATE n Notice of code violation n Special magistrate hearing with fines of up to $500 per day, which are assessed as liens Info provided by the town of Longboat Key

ment with the town. n Requiring temporary structures to be removed from the beach nightly from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. during turtle nesting season.

Kopp also explained the town’s violation process once the new rules are in effect.

A property found in violation of the rules is first given a verbal warning, and then a courtesy notice to fix the violation.

If a property continues not to follow the rules, Kopp said the town can either issue a citation or go through the special magistrate process.

The town is planning to hold two other in-person meetings about the new sea turtle protections at 1 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 21 and at 10 a.m. Monday, March 14.

Anyone with questions can call the Planning, Zoning & Building Department at 941-316-1966 or by emailing Turtles@LongboatKey.org.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

OPINION / OUR VIEW

LONGBOAT

The word for 2022: Courage Although we all would like to wipe away and forget the strife of 2021, unfortunately, much of it is not going to go away. To turn the tide and preserve what our founders created, in 2022, we must act with great courage.

MATT WALSH

L

et’s not look back anymore on 2021. Yuck.

But you can be sure we all will remember it. Even if your company, your employer or you did well or OK, it was an awful year.

Worse than any year baby boomers and those younger have experienced in their lifetimes. A word that comes to mind — other than awful — is “strife.”

It was a year of strife, seemingly with everything, every day — the economy, pandemic, national politics, Washington policies, foreign policy, the media, education, crime, immigration and on and on.

If only we could erase 2021.

So let’s start fresh. Move forward.

Be optimistic.

If only we could.

Here is the harsh reality: The strife of 2021 is going to continue.

COVID-19, omicron, mandates, inflation, shortages, Washington stupidity/incompetence, destructive national media, Big Tech censorship, open Southern borders, crime, wokeness and the relentlessness of the progressives. Their relentless goal to tear down what made this country great and spread the misery of their elitist-controlled, authoritarian socialism.

All of that strife will continue to be debilitating obstructions to what used to drive America — the national culture to be achievers, innovators and individuals free to strive on our own terms to live the American dream.

While many of us still will work to move forward and be optimistic, simultaneously, as we did in 2021, we must confront all the strife and evils tearing our country down.

To win, we will need courage.

Indefatigable courage.

That is our word for 2022: Courage.

Readers of this page may remember one of our traditions and rituals at the beginning of each year is to declare a single word to live by in the new year; to guide our direction and actions in the new year; inspire us year-round; and serve as a guidepost for what we do and want to accomplish in this new year.

In 2022, we need courage, the courage to turn the darkness to light. For those of us who still

believe America is Pilgrim John Winthrop and Ronald Reagan’s “city on a hill,” we must start with courage.

Resist. Stand strong. Fight hard.

Fight back. Be bold. Speak up.

Never give in.

We are in the midst of a second civil war — this time to preserve our cultural heritage, namely, the founders’ declaration that we are endowed by our Creator with the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We are individuals, not a collective, not tribes, not enemies. Individual Americans.

Indeed, it’s not off base to say that when you think of what you want in life, you don’t want power mongers in Washington to rule every aspect of your life; to confiscate the fruits of your labor; dictate whether you must wear a mask or cannot celebrate Christmas with family. You want to be left alone — in peace; safe from criminal harm; left alone to exist for your own and your family’s sake; and contribute to your community as you see fit.

You want liberty.

To turn the current tide, courage is one of the first requisites.

We need courage for so many things. A few: n Courage to demand that people elected to Congress immediately stop spending and printing money.

Their inflation —the worst and most pernicious tax of all — is crushing the poor and middle class.

Have the courage to demand of your representative that “Build Back Better” or any other new spending scheme must be axed into confetti and burned. The members of the Democratic Party majority are clueless to the fact the effects of inflation in 2022 and the cure are going to be more painful than the price increases we’re seeing now.

When Joe Biden asks meat producers (or any industry, for that matter) to lower prices, he is showing his cluelessness. The meat producers are not the cause of higher prices. Biden and the Democrat-led Congress are! n Have the courage to demand Congress end the pandemic payments that have given so many people the incentive not to work. Late last year there were 10 million unfilled jobs and 8 million unemployed.

Government payments and incentives not to work fuel the increase in prices. With fewer workers producing fewer goods and services while they have the trillions of dollars of emergency spending, there is an obvious imbalance — higher demand than supply. The payments are a temporary and false hope. There is only one path to economic health and wealth: work. n Small business owners: Have the courage to be vocal advocates for free enterprise. Drown out the wokeness of the wimpy, PC corpo-

rate CEOs who place DEI (diversity equity and inclusion) ahead of merit and the content of character.

The model for small business owners is Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus’ Job Creators Network. Its mission is to provide business leaders and entrepreneurs with the tools to educate everyone about the virtues of free enterprise, to be the voice of free enterprise in the media, in Congress, in state capitals, in local communities and the workplace.

Extend that to your children and grandchildren.

Capitalism, competition and a meritocracy made America great.

Ayn Rand: “If one wishes to uphold individual rights, one must realize that capitalism is the only system that can uphold and protect them.”

No nation ever reached prosperity through its government or via any other “ism” than through capitalism. n Have the courage to call out and shine the light on the fallacies and lies of the woke orthodoxies.

Defend the Constitution. Defend freedom of religion and speech and the right of the pursuit of happiness. These are the cornerstones of what separates the United States from every other place in the world.

Stand with the courage of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. He is among the few shining examples of publicfigure leaders who have the courage to stand up to progressives and their socialistic orthodoxies. He is one of the few with the courage to stand on a public platform and challenge the prevailing forces and fight for his state’s citizens’ freedoms.

In some respects, you can say DeSantis is showing the courage akin to that of two famous patriots who stood up to the higher authority of Great Britain’s King George — that of Patrick Henry and Thomas Paine (see below). n Have the courage to elect representatives at every level who embrace the freedom philosophy — that is, our elected officials are our servants; we are not their slaves. Their jobs are to protect our freedom, not take it away. Every law they pass, every dollar they borrow and spend, takes away your freedom.

When Ronald Reagan gave his farewell address, he reminded the American people of the importance of “three little words”: “We the People”: “‘We the People’ tell the government what to do, it doesn’t tell us. ‘We the people’ are the driver; the government is the car. And we decide where it should go, and by what route and how fast.

“Almost all the world’s constitutions are documents in which governments tell the people what their privileges are. Our Constitution is a document in which ‘We the People’ tell the government what it

FROM REAGAN’S FAREWELL …

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944

Here are excerpts from Ronald Reagan’s farewell address, “The shining city on a hill.”

Look it up. It’s worth reading again.

— MW “Those of us who are over 35 or so years of age grew up in a different America. We were taught, very directly, what it means to be an American, and we absorbed almost in the air a love of country and an appreciation of its institutions.

If you didn’t get these things from your family you got them from the neighborhood, from the father down the street who fought in Korea or the family who lost someone at Anzio.

Or you could get a sense of patriotism from school. And if all else failed, you could get a sense of patriotism from the popular culture. The movies celebrated democratic values and implicitly reinforced the idea that America was special.

TV was like that, too, through the mid-Sixties.

But now … some things have changed …

Our spirit is back, but we haven’t reinstitutionalized it.

We’ve got to do a better job of getting across that America is freedom — freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of enterprise — and freedom is special and rare. It’s fragile; It needs protection.”

is allowed to do. ‘We the people’ are free … “… And I hope we have once again reminded people that man is not free unless government is limited. There’s a clear cause and effect here that is as neat and predictable as a law of physics: As government expands, liberty contracts.”

Americans want to be free, not slaves of politicians.

If we are to save what has sustained us for nearly 250 years — that individual rights and freedom supersede the government’s powers, we must have the courage and show the courage to live the words of Patrick Henry. In one of his oratories to the Continental Congress, he told his peers: “The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers and New Englanders are no more. I am not a Virginian; I am an American.”

Have the courage to be a proud American, an American who embraces what the founders created and achieved. For 250 years, this nation has been the world’s “shining city on a hill.”

How the courage of two patriots turned the tide

P

atrick Henry and Thomas Paine, two American Revolution patriots known for a famous speech and book (“Give me liberty or give me death” and “Common Sense”), exemplified in their day the meaning of courage — the courage to take lone stands and speak vociferously against the popular, prevailing thought.

Henry made his first mark as one of the most outspoken opponents to King George in 1765, after the British monarchy imposed the Stamp Act taxes on the colonists. Henry delivered to the House of Burgesses in Virginia what became known as his “Caesar-Brutus” speech.

So enraged by the Stamp Act, Henry forcefully suggested King George could suffer the same fate that Julius Caesar did at the hand and knife of Brutus if the king rejected American liberty.

Horrified at his brazen outburst, many Virginia burgesses accused Henry of committing treason.

Instead, his comments propelled him into the national spotlight.

Patrick Henry

Thomas Paine

Ten years later, in March 1775, Henry delivered the speech for which he is best known today.

Amid a gathering of the Second Virginia Convention, historical accounts say Henry rose from a third-row pew and began speaking, as he often did, extemporaneously.

No notes. A minister who witnessed Henry’s speech described Henry as having “an unearthly fire burning in his eye.”

Henry proceeded to argue against trying to negotiate reconciliation with the monarchy and its army and instead called for Virginia to establish an armed militia.

“Why stand we here idle?” Hen-

ry is quoted as saying. “What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!” As he uttered these final words, Henry plunged a letter opener toward his heart.

Paine made his mark with his book, “Common Sense.” When you read it, you see Paine’s arguments are exactly that — simple common sense for why the colonies should be independent and free from the English monarchy.

Within Paine’s many cogent arguments, and at great risk to himself, he flung nasty invectives at the king and his followers, words that in this day would have him banned from Twitter and Facebook.

After the Battle of Lexington, Paine wrote, “I rejected the hardened, sullen tempered Pharaoh of England forever; and disdain the wretch …”

Criticizing a speech from the King,

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

Paine wrote: “Every line convinces … that He, who hunts the woods for prey, the naked and untutored Indian, is less a Savage than the King of Britain.”

Of one of the king’s admirers, Paine said he “sunk himself beneath the rank of animals, and contemptibly crawls through the world like a worm.”

Henry and Paine knew their words would put targets on their backs.

But they were so passionate in their beliefs, they had the courage to speak out and help change the course of history.

Today, of course, Henry and Paine most likely would be vilified in the national media and banned from social media for their outspokenness and comments. But in their day, their courage via their speeches and writing are credited with swaying the American people to back independence and reject what was then the totalitarianism of the British monarchy.

— MW

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

RANTS & RAVES LET’S HEAR FROM YOU Life is full of gems — and boulders — that we experience every day. And in The Observer’s new column, Rants & Raves, we want to hear about both. But we need your help.

This column will be an open, anonymous community hub for comments where you can share what’s going great, and also what you think is not so great.

Want to give someone a shout out for helping you change a tire in the rain? That would be a rave. Unhappy about the new traffic pattern to accommodate a roundabout in progress? That would be a rant — and probably a popular one at that.

There are two ways to submit your rant or rave. The first is to leave a message with whatever you want to say on our voicemail at 366-3468, Ext. 798. The second is to email us at RantsAndRaves@YourObserver.com.

Call or email to help get us started. We can’t wait to hear what you have to say.

Just finished the article (“Restorative Justice” editorial - Dec. 9 issue). Worst, craziest idea I’ve heard of. I’m sure it would work in blue states, but I personally (and I’m sure many others) would not want to or feel the need to forgive some lowlife that harmed me. Do the crime, do the time.

nnn

First, let me commend Emily (Walsh) on the transition in general, and specifically on the introduction of the new Rants & Raves column.

We bought our property on Longboat Key in 2008. However, we visited my parents here for decades before that. I remember my mother asking my father to stop and “get her a paper.” Of course, it was the Observer. As a “tourist,” I thought that the paper was only a tourist rag with real estate ads and other tourist product ads. It wasn’t until we became full-time Longboat Key residents that I understood that this

paper had “chops,” as they say in the entertainment industry.

I looked forward to your father’s editorials, and his election recommendations. However, recently I found that he has drifted extremely right, and I don’t appreciate his one-sided editorials. I agree completely with the person who said last week that I also am “appalled by the politics expressed, especially

by Matt Walsh.”

I hope you will pursue a more balanced approach. Don’t get me wrong, I agree with a lot of Matt’s fundamental Republican opinions, but he really shouldn’t go off the rails so far to the right!

File photo

Savory sounds return on Longboat Key

nnn

The series was canceled in early 2020 after just one concert.

I agree with the readers who wrote in about the paper needing to stick to community news and stay out of the political fray. Your divisive and sometimes ignorant (imo) opinions cloud and devalue the paper.

NAT KAEMMERER

nnn

STAFF WRITER

I just wanted to leave a rave, I guess, for your paper’s editorial page. I’ve seen a few negative comments in the Observer and I just wanted to say that I think what Matt Walsh chooses to write is always interesting, informative and very thoughtful, and I appreciate his editorial judgments and policy and please, please, please keep it up.

If you have vague memories of writing down a Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones concert on your calendar a couple of years ago, get ready for it to finally happen. The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce is restarting its Savor the Sounds concert series, starting with the aforementioned band at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 22 at Town Center Green.

The 2020 Savor the Sounds series was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic after the first event in February, which featured the Billy Rice Band. Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones were to be the March performers.

“We knew we were going to bring it back as we thought we were recovering from COVID, and we knew we would bring the same bands back if we could,” chamber President Gail Loefgren said.

The concert will be a “choose your own adventure” type of event, where guests can buy a VIP table of eight for $250, which includes two bottles of wine, or single tickets for $25 in advance and $35 at the gate. Attendees bring their own plates, lighting and other table decor to spruce up

nnn

A “speed trap” should be set up on both ends of the Ringling Bridge in the early morning hours. Multiple cars whiz by at speeds of 50-plus miles an hour in a 35 mile an hour zone, leaving people who are out for morning jogs and bicycle rides in their polluted wake. Ringling Bridge speeders are a public safety issue that the city needs to address. The city of Sarasota could earn much needed revenue by enforcing the speed limits. I suspect the income from speeding fines would exceed $100,000 a month.

the night. Even people who don’t buy VIP tickets may bring their best settings for their picnic dinner, Loefgren said. The vibe is that of an elegant picnic.

“After the first series we did, it got to be that people who bought tables began to compete for the best table decor,” Loefgren said. “I don’t know how long it’ll take for that to start up again.”

The first concert in early 2020 brought out more than 100 people.

The first concert of that series had been canceled due to performer illness, so only one was held in 2020.

Kettle of Fish is the scheduled performer on Feb. 19, and Shantel Norman and the Shantel Norman Band is planned for March 19.

The March 2020 Savor the Sounds drew more than 100 people.

WANT TO GO?

Doors open at 4:30 p.m., and the concert starts at 5:30. Single tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door, while a limited number of VIP tables are available for $250.

Beer and wine will be available for purchase from Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, or you can bring your own. Boxed dinners are available from Publix; call 383-1502 at least five days before the concert.

Tickets are available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Longboat Key Chamber office, 5390 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 102, in The Centre Shops on Longboat Key. For information call 383-2466.

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Tuesday, January 11

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

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ABOVE EXPECTATIONS. BEYOND SHOES. Quality footwear in a wide range of hardto-find widths and sizes. One-on-one consultations and fittings with the experts.

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The tournament took a break in 2021 due to the pandemic, but will return Jan. 7-9.

NAT KAEMMERER STAFF WRITER

After a year away, the Observer Challenge will make a racket at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center again.

The tournament was not played in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic but is scheduled to return Jan. 7-9 for its 21st edition.

“It’s hard to say that last year was more of a regular year, but a lot better than the year before,” tennis center Director Kay Thayer said.

“We felt this year we would move forward with events we’ve always done, and this is such a popular one on the island because it involves all the clubs and all sorts of players, and people have been asking if we’re doing the Observer tournament.”

The tennis center has kept things low key in the past year and a half and missed a lot of its seasonal and visiting players in 2021. The first big event was the Longboat Key Senior Clay Courts Level 2 Tournament in late November, which drew players from around the country. More seasonal members have returned to Longboat Key, so the tennis center is ramping things up.

“We were able to do our big senior December USTA tournament, and when that was OK’d when the fall started we felt pretty good about being able to do some of the regular things we’ve done in the past,” Thayer said. “Barring issues in the future, we’re hoping this would be the year we could get back to normalcy. Last year there were a lot of things we didn’t do and a lot of people that didn’t come to Longboat.”

The Longboat Observer has hosted the tournament since 2001, when CEO Matt Walsh extended an olive branch to the tennis center after an editorial that argued against its creation. It’s become a huge event on the Key and draws players from every club. The reception the day before

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Andre Herke serves a point during the 2021 running of the Observer Challenge.

it starts is well-attended, too, and will take place at 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 6 this year. Players will find out their playing times then, too, though they won’t know who they’re playing until they show up on the court.

The tournament usually features about 120 players who compete in four or five divisions, depending on how Thayer matches up the levels of players. The open division has bred stiff competition in the past few years, too. Teams are co-ed and play doubles, mixed doubles and singles.

“We get a lot of people from The Longboat Key Club and from Cedars Tennis Resort, and especially in the open division that’s become pretty popular, we can have some 5.0 players, and we get a lot of people from the area, from Sarasota and Bradenton,” Thayer said. “It’s become one of those things where everybody calls and asks if we’re gonna do it. It’s a nice thing for the island because it involves the main places people play tennis. We have a good showing and people come cheer their teams on.”

CHAMPIONSHIP COMEBACK

The Longboat Key Public Tennis Center’s first big tournament since the pandemic was the biggest one yet. From Nov. 29-Dec. 5, the tennis center hosted the 18th edition Longboat Key Senior Clay Courts Level 2 Tournament with 386 players from around the U.S. and Canada.

The tournament took place at nine sites around Longboat Key besides the tennis center, including Aquarius, the Longboat Key Club courts, Club Longboat, the Water Club, Seaplace, Vizcaya and Corey’s Landing.

Winners were announced in singles and doubles categories from 55 to 85.

After taking a year off in 2020, the 2021 tournament, which is the tennis center’s biggest fundraiser, was the biggest ever, with an increase of about 50 players from 2019’s draw.

PLAYERS READY?

Play begins on Jan. 7 and will continue through Jan. 9 at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center, 590 Bay Isles Road. Call 316-8367 for information.

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SPLASH! 4:42 p.m., 500 block of General Harris Street Citizen assist: An on-call technician with the town’s Public Works department responded to a report of a broken water pipe and shut off the flow to a residence.

The home’s backflow valve had failed.

FRIDAY, DEC. 24

QUITE A RIDE 9:25 a.m., 1900 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen assist: Police were contacted by a resident seeking legal advice from a third party. An officer reached out to learn the resident was wondering whether a fee of $10,000 was a legal price to offer to drive a pair of family members from Orlando to Longboat Key. The officer replied that ride services were probably cheaper, but that it was his decision to make. The resident said he would inquire about less expensive alternatives.

SATURDAY, DEC. 25

DEEP THOUGHTS 10 a.m., 6500 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen assist: A caller who did not wish to meet with police called the agency to report a hole in the beach sand. An officer determined the hole was made by children and was not creating a safety issue. About eight hours later, and again the following day, officers were contacted by a caller who did not wish to meet with police about the same hole in the sand. Police explained to the caller that they had already responded and that the hole was likely the work of children. An officer requested a staffer from the town’s Public Works Department look at the hole on Dec. 26.

CIRCLING THE BOATS 1:48 p.m., 3200 block of Harbourside Drive Citizen assist: Police determined no manatees were harmed following a report of boaters driving in circles to view manatees. The officer spoke with the reporting party to explain that the incident took place in an area of boat docks and other facilities and there were no laws broken.

SUNDAY, DEC. 26

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

11

Republican Club of Longboat Key, Inc. P.O. Box 8181 Longboat Key, FL 34228-8181

DINNER MEETING! Tuesday, January 11th

Reception: 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM Dinner / Speaker: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM Longboat Key Club and Resort Harbourside Ballroom 3200 Harbourside Drive (North Gate by Publix) Longboat Key, FL 34228

MONDAY, DEC.27

GOING VERTICAL 6:48 p.m., 4300 block of Falmouth Drive Suspicious incident: A resident called police to report a teenager climbing up the side of a building toward the second floor. Police learned the teen was trying to gain access to his parents’ second-story unit but had been locked out and trying to climb. The teen’s father was contacted and confirmed his son’s story, apologizing for the tumult the incident caused.

GUEST SPEAKERS: Longboat Key Leadership Dr. Michael Crosby President and CEO of Mote marine

TUESDAY, DEC. 28

CLOSING TIME 3:59 a.m., 700 block of St. Judes Drive North Citizen assist: The driver of a ride-sharing car called police for assistance in getting an intoxicated passenger out of the vehicle. Police arrived and did so, helping the passenger to the door. The passenger was able to unlock the door and go inside.

Dr. Michael Crosby President and CEO of Mote Marine

PIZZA WITH PEPPERONI AND A SLICE OF ATTITUDE 7:31 p.m., 1000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen dispute: A pizza delivery driver and a security guard clashed over access to a gated community, resulting in a call to police. The guard said the delivery driver was denied access when he wouldn’t provide the name of the customer.

Eventually, though, the driver supplied the required information and delivered the pie. The guard said the driver left in a small domestic car, driving north.

Dr. Crosby will be discussing the Mote Marine Strategic Plan, which includes a discussion of the new million gallon Aquarium by UTC! In May 2013, Dr. Crosby was appointed as President & CEO of Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, an independent research institution that has been a leader in marine research for 60 years. Dr. Crosby had previously served for three years as Mote’s Senior Vice President for Research. He came to that position following appointments as Associate Vice President for Research and Economic Development at George Mason University, and Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Hawai’i Hilo. Prior to those appointments, he served in a federal Senior Executive Service position as Executive Director of the National Science Board - National Science Foundation.

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LAND 1:29 a.m., 2400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Boating call: A friend of an overdue paddleboarder called police to

GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS 8:45 p.m., 1600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen assist: What started as a traffic stop ended with a warning and a lost e-reader tablet returned to its owner. An officer on patrol stopped a rental vehicle driving slowly and without tail lights in the dark. The people in the car explained that an e-reader tablet that had been on the roof of the car fell off and they were trying to find it. The officer issued a warning over the tail lights and gathered some information in case he happened to find the tablet, which he did. The officer brought the tablet to the people at a town beach resort.

COPS CORNER

SATURDAY, DEC. 25

report her friend missing for two hours. Police learned the paddleboarder was last seen heading south and conducted a search from the land and in the water but didn’t find her. A state wildlife officer who was assisting found the paddleboarder on land, north of the last known position. The officer reported the paddleboarder had become disoriented and paddled to shore unharmed.

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Reformer

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

The Sarasota Yacht Club project is expected to increase the dock capacity to 134 permanent sites and 13 transient sites.

Eric Garwood

City approves plan to add 30 docks to Sarasota Yacht Club Three existing dock structures will be rebuilt and a fourth added.

ERIC GARWOOD MANAGING EDITOR

A

project to rebuild three docks at Sarasota Yacht Club and add a fourth alongside neighboring Plymouth Harbor’s property gained approval last month from the city’s planning and zoning board.

The measure, which was also backed by city staff, could reach the city commission for final consideration as early as Jan. 18.

With a 5-0 vote, the Sarasota Planning and Zoning Board advanced the proposal, which would not just update club docking and fueling facilities but also add 30 additional wet slips and space for a youth sailing squadron.

The changes would bring the club

to 134 permanent slips and 13 transient slips. According to city documents, the proposed docks will consist of a fixed wooden pier/platform that will extend out approximately 75 feet from the shoreline and then ramp down to floating docks.

The club’s fueling station will also undergo renovations but remain in its grandfathered-in position. “It’s something you don’t want to be old and antiquated because it impacts on water quality,’’ said Alexis Crespo, a land-use planner with Waldrop Engineering, which is working with Turrell Hall and Associates in representing the club.

The club on the south side of John Ringling Causeway east of St. Armands Circle isn’t planning any changes to its landside buildings.

The property has been in operation since the 1960s but underwent a large-scale renovation in 2010 when the land was rezoned from singlefamily residential classification to its current classification. Docks are allowed, though conditional-use

approval is required, which is what board members approved along with the site plan.

According to engineers and project planners speaking for the club, vessels will remain at the club throughout the process, initially moving from dock 1 on the easternmost portion of the property to the newly built dock 4, shifting positions from existing to new structures until the project wraps up.

“That’d be a nightmare to try to find a home for everyone,” said Jeff Rogers, a partner with Turrell, Hall and Associates. “That’s one of the driving factors of dock 4.”

Fueling operations, which take place on dock 2, will be suspended while work there proceeds. “We’ll put (the fuel dock) into operation as fast as we possibly can,’’ said Josh Maxwell, chief engineer for Turrell, Hall and Associates. “It’s usually one of the few revenue sources for marinas.’’

No additional landside parking is planned. Sarasota Senior Plan-

ner Brianne Dobbs said the facility already includes 61 more parking spaces than required by city formulas that are based on building square footage rather than the number of boat docks.

Rogers said there are prospective users of the new boat docks who are already social members of the club, indicating additional capacity for docking wouldn’t necessarily drive up vehicle parking needs or the number of vehicle trips in and out of the property beyond an estimated 5.5 trips.

“It sounds like they are not adding additional members, that these are people who already frequent the club, and they seem to have enough parking,’’ Dobbs said, adding that she had recently visited the property.

“That feels confident.”

Planning and Zoning Board Chair Kathy Kelly Ohlrich asked the representatives of the yacht club why operators of neighboring Plymouth Harbor co-applied for the conditional-use approval.

FIT TO BE TIED

Here’s a breakdown of the docking facilities at Sarasota Yacht Club once the expansion and renovation plan is complete.

2­­­5 feet: 11 docks 30 feet: 14 docks 40 feet: 31 docks 45 feet: 21 docks 50 feet: 17 docks 55 feet: 2 docks 60 feet: 32 docks 70 feet: 5 docks 80 feet: 1 docks Total: 134 docks Transient docks: 13

Rogers explained the two organizations have years of cooperation between them, and the fourth dock falls within Plymouth Harbor’s shoreline property, which is often referred to as riparian right.

An agreement exists between the club and Plymouth Harbor to build within the residential community’s underwater property.

A small dock belonging to Plymouth Harbor exists in the footprint of the proposed fourth dock, and Rogers said the overall project would benefit both organizations.

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PET PICS Have photos of your four-legged family members? We want to see them! Share them at YourObserver.com/contests/petpics to be published online and for a chance to see them in print!

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

13

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

Reason to Give...

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OPEN BY APPOINTMENT 7 DAYS | 941-366-2404 2542 17th St., Sarasota, FL 34234 | www.catdepot.org

A James Freeman 93, passed away on December 16, 2021, from Alzheimer’s, with his wife, Angela of 51 years by his side.

Offer valid November 1 - December 31, 2021 at participating NAPA AutoCare Centers.

Claim ONLINE ONLY at NAPARebates.com by January 15, 2022. This offer is only valid to US residents. Limit of 1 claim per receipt, with a maximum of $40 payout. Limit two (2) rewards per customer account, household, family or address. *Cards are issued by Bank of America, N.A. pursuant to a license from Visa Inc. These cards are not credit cards and expire six (6) months from issue and have no value after that date. See your cardholder agreement and associated materials for details. Void where prohibited.

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He was a member of the Erie Club and Kahkwa Club and present member of The Longboat Key Club, Longboat Key, Florida and Bird Key Yacht Club, Sarasota, FL.

DONATIONS: Contributions may be made to Mercyhurst University, Erie, Pa, or Christ Church of Longboat Key, Longboat Key, Florida or the charity of one’s choice.

During the COVID-19 crisis, we feel it’s important to consistently advertise our services, letting Sarasota and Manatee County residents know we remain open and here to serve them safely.

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He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Leslie Aggelakos, brother David and his sister Priscilla.

He is survived by his wife Angela, granddaughter Heather Racchini (Joseph), Nicole Fairfield and five great grand children.

A memorial service will be at a later date. Contributions may be made to Mercyhurst University, Erie, Pa, or Christ Church of Longboat Key, Longboat Key, Florida or the charity of one’s choice.

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He was born to Alvin and Elinor Ferris Freeman on June 22, 1928, in Norfolk, Massachusetts.

A graduate of Northeastern University in Chemical Engineering, he began his career at General Mills.

In 1960 he joined Lord Manufacturing Company, now known as Parker Lord, in Erie, Pennsylvania. He retired as CEO in 1993. His first venture internationally was Mexico, then partnerships with Germany and the UK, which led to building plants in Japan, Brazil and China. He served on several boards, Lord, Eriez Magnetics, Erie Press, Van-air, YUSA, Kepro, PNC and FERRO Corporation. He also served on the board of trustees at Saint Vincent Health Center, board of trustees of Mercyhurst University, Erie, PA. United Way, Erie County, awarded him in 1993 the Alexis de Tocqueville.

He was an avid bridge player, enjoyed golf and traveled extensively with his wife.

He was a member of the Erie Club and Kahkwa Club and present member of The Longboat Key Club, Longboat Key, Florida and Bird Key Yacht Club, Sarasota, FL.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

15

‘Miracle on the Key’ gets Longboat Key talking The Longboat Key Democratic Club and the Republican Club of Longboat Key have been meeting for months to talk about their differences.

NAT KAEMMERER STAFF WRITER

I

f you’d asked Bob Klosterman, a Republican, and Bob Gary, a Democrat, in early 2021 if the two political parties could meet and speak civilly, they’d have called it a miracle. But when Gary had the idea to try and reached out to Klosterman, they found they were both willing to come to the table.

Ten months later, eight participants from the Republican Club of Longboat Key and the Longboat Key Democratic Club have been meeting to discuss their differences and understand one another.

“There’s been dialogue, and some of that has been difficult, but for the most part, it’s been respectful, and that’s the key,” Gary said. “In talking with them, the most basic common ground is that we both love America, and we want what’s best for the country. What we’re trying to do is for the center to have a voice, because there’s a lot of noise, and much of it comes from the far left or the far right and not much from the middle. We’re not attempting to convince the other that their policies are right or wrong. We’re trying to look for those things that are important for America that we can agree on.”

The four participants from the Republican Club are President Scott Gray, Paul Hylbert, Klosterman and Lynn Larson. From the Democratic Club, the four are President Ed Sabol, Gary, Lucie Lapovsky and Becky van der Bogert.

Racelle Weiman, a recent area arrival and the founder of the Dialogue Institute at Temple University who has 30 years in genocide

Photos by Nat Kaemmerer

Above: Racelle Weiman speaks at the Dec. 14 meeting.

Left: The panelists with Racelle Weiman at the Dec. 14 meeting.

that you can’t get over,” Gary said.

The sides found a lot of common ground right away. At Weiman’s direction, they discussed their families and showed photos of their loved ones, and came up with priorities and qualities that are important to them. There were a few differences — Sabol mentioned that one of his Republican colleagues put down “personal responsibility,” which he came to understand after discussion — but they found that they all care about the country and what they’re leaving to their children and grandchildren.

“The heart of the problem is we tend to stereotype people, and as soon as you hear, ‘Oh, he’s Republican, or she’s a Democrat,’ you put them into a stereotypical box, and you assume that they think like AOC or they think like the Proud Boys,” Gray said. “When in fact, you throw out those far left wingers and far right wingers, and we have an awful lot more in common.”

Weiman is quick to emphasize

Temple Beth Israel

5 Ways to Worship at All Angels All Angels Episcopal Church | 563 Bay Isles Rd

The Center of Jewish Living on Longboat Key

• Indoor worship service this Sunday at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Please join us for Friday Evening Shabbat Services at 7:30pm each week in our Sanctuary, and morning Shabbat service & Torah Study at 10:00 am every Saturday.

Check our website for more information on upcoming events & programs, including the NEW Education Center at TBI offerings!

If you’d like to join our mailing list, send an email to office@tbi-lbk.org to stay up to date!

• Live-stream - go to AllAngelsLBK.org to watch on-line • Zoom service - join meeting number 595-570-1807

Due to the rise of Covid cases in our area, we will require masks & encourage social distancing until further notice.

• Walk-up Church - listen to the service outside

941.383.3428 | www.tbi-lbk.org

• Drive-in Church - tune your car radio to 107.5

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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An Ecumenical Church that Welcomes all People Founded in 1956

Growing in Jesus’ Name

Masks Are Optional

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

Follow us on Facebook • www.longboatislandchapel.org

The Lord’s Warehouse is OPEN Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 9am -1pm. Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

WINTER CONCERT SERIES

St. Armands Key

CONCERTS ARE FREE • VISITORS & RESIDENTS WELCOME

LUTHERAN CHURCH

SUNDAY

JOIN US FOR SATURDAY EVENING WORSHIP AT 5PM SUNDAY WORSHIP AT 9AM AND 11AM or worship with us online at saklc.com/live or on Facebook

•

JANUARY 9, 2022

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St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church

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Would like to Welcome & Invite You, Your Family Members & Friends to Celebrate Mass with Our Parish Community

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2:00 PM

Our very own Alexa Lowrey is currently a Junior at NYU Steinhardt pursuing a Bachelor's of Music degree in Vocal Performance Musical Theater. Alexa has been studying voice, performing in musicals, vocal ensembles, and singing as a soloist with orchestras since the 5th grade. Most recently, she performed professionally in four musicals at Cedar Summerstock Theater. Music and the performing arts are her passion – clearly seen through her performances that never cease to charm and delight. Her diverse program will include Broadway, popular and Sacred favorites.

St. Armands Key Lutheran Church • 40 North Adams Dr., Sarasota, FL • 941.388.1234 • Questions? Contact: michael@saklc.com

Rev. Robert Dziedziak, Pastor

•

Alexa Lowrey - Soloist

UPCOMING EVENTS: Speaker Series: Lutheran World Relief Reception to Follow Monday, January 10 at 5pm

4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive Longboat Key, FL 34228 383-1255 • www.stmarylbk.org

Worship With Us at Our Church Sunday Service 10:00 AM The Rev. Dr. Norman Pritchard

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

WINTER MASS SCHEDULE Saturday: 3:00 PM & 5:00 PM Sunday: 8:00, 9:30 & 11:30 AM Daily Mass at 9:00 AM- Monday through Friday Confessions after daily Mass or by appointment

RABBI STEPHEN L. SNIDERMAN, D.D.

567 Bay Isles Road • Longboat Key, FL

370498-1

941-383-8161 • www.AllAngelsLBK.org

the individual human at the heart of each conversation. The goal is to inspire people in the area and around the country to take up similar tasks; the group has heard from people in Tampa and Cleveland about starting their own group. The urge to stereotype people came up at the panel when one Dec. 14 audience member expressed frustration that the Democrats in their former community weren’t like “these Democrats.”

That’s a perfect example of the problem, Weiman said, adding that the goal is to come at this as humans and with shared traits in mind. Longboat Key as a common denominator has helped. They get along with each other better if they live on an island together, Sabol said.

“Longboat Key is unique,” Gary said. “The number of talented, thoughtful people here who have accomplished so much in their life is astounding, so you have a very rich environment for respectful exchange of ideas, and that gives us an edge.

On the other hand, you don’t want

6400 Gulf of Mexico Dr.

•

941.383.8833 (office)

•

www.christchurchlbk.org

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prevention, agreed to moderate the discussions. At a Dec. 14 panel at the RCLBK meeting, she said she’s been impressed with what she’s seen.

“I wanted them not to do what they normally do on Longboat Key and other places, where they can go and play tennis, or have book clubs, and they refuse to talk about politics where they differ,” Weiman said. “I wanted them to actually talk about the politics where they differ and still be able to engage. That’s the strength here, to have a civil conversation about places where you disagree, or where you are seeing different perspectives or are reading different news sources.”

She interviewed everyone beforehand and made sure they each really wanted to be here and agreed to take the risk. Every meeting has been in person because it’s not an experience that works over Zoom.

“The moderator is a very important part of the process because she keeps both sides at arm’s length, and you don’t risk having a bomb thrown

to say it’s so unique that it can’t be replicated anywhere else. ” So far, the feedback has been positive from the clubs at large, said Gray and Sabol. They’ve both received calls and texts from random people thanking them for getting the ball rolling. Weiman commended them all for taking the risk to enter the discussions and then go public with them, knowing that there would be pushback. In the new year, they’ll start discussing more issues and potentially sending a letter to elected officials to set an example for acrossthe-aisle discussion.

“Moral courage is telling your buddies at the golf course what we’re doing, and getting the reaction, ‘What?’ You’re talking to those guys?’” Hylbert said at the Dec. 14 panel. “Instead of vilifying and getting on the bandwagon, we say, ‘Wait a minute, we spent months working with them, and they have the same kind of aspirations that we have for a better country, for better education.’ I think one of the things that we learned is that as we move away from this panel, and talk with people in our normal lives, we have to set an example.”

Classifieds 26 Games 25 Real Estate 23 Weather 25

JANUARY 6, 2022

YOUR NEIGHBORS MAKING IT TO THE MACCABIAH GAMES

and returns.

“It’s interesting because I really got into it (strength training) last summer, and the guys I’m playing with noticed,” Greenspon said. “Now that I’ve got my range of motion better, all of a sudden my serve’s got a pop in it.

We all have injuries, and it’s a matter of just working through them so they don’t bother you when you play.”

To qualify for the tournament, Greenspon traveled to West Palm to play round robin singles and doubles.

A team of six in the division will go. A lot of the same players try out tournament after tournament, so Greenspon has made friends he’s glad to see on the court. He’s also glad to be heading back to Israel. After he went for the first time in 2001, he made a point to travel there several times a year, especially with his involvement with the Israel Tennis Center. When he returns in July, though, it’ll be for the first time in four years.

“The games are part of what got me back into my religion,” Greenspon said. “It brought me back to my roots. I’m feeling good about being back.”

ABOUT THE ATHLETE

Photos by Nat Kaemmerer

Larry Greenspon is traveling to Israel to compete in his fifth appearance at the Maccabiah Games.

“We all have injuries, and it’s a matter of just working through them so they don’t bother you when you play.”

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— Larry Greenspon

Longboat Key tennis player will be heading to his fifth appearance at the games in Israel.

NAT KAEMMERER STAFF WRITER

D

eep massages, strength training and a little friendly competition around Longboat Key — that’s what Larry Greenspon cites as some of the biggest factors for staying in shape.

He’ll need all of those to help him bring his “A” tennis game to his fifth Maccabiah Games in Israel in July.

Greenspon is a fixture in Longboat Key tennis, having played at the Longboat Key Club, Cedars Tennis Resort and Longboat Key Public Tennis Center, and winning the Observer Challenge several times.

He gets on the court at least once a day to hone his game, and it’s helped him go far. The Maccabiah Games, an Olympics-type event held every four years for Jewish athletes, brings strong competition, with about 10,000 athletes present, but Greenspon has always risen to the occa-

sion. He competed for the first time in 2001.

“I was just amazed,” Greenspon said. “It was life-changing learning about Israel. I met people from all over the world because over 80 countries send a team.”

The competition is friendly but fierce, he said, and athletes hold one another to strict standards with regards to line calls. To prepare, Greenspon is adding some friendly local competition to his roster. He played in the Longboat Key USTA Senior Clay Courts Level 2 Tournament, which drew 386 players from the U.S. and Canada, in late November to start getting in match mode.

“The level of competition is high,” Greenspon said. “They’re my age, and you can’t believe how these guys move. It’s fun, and it’s going to help my game.”

Greenspon, now 73, has adapted his game and the approach to it over the years. He’s had two shoulder surgeries and dealt with back issues, so as he’s aged, a more well-rounded approach has been necessary. He tries to stay cognizant of how his body is feeling and gets deep tissue massages to keep things loose.

“I’ve got a therapist that just beats me up,” Greenspon said.

After his surgeries, he worked with a physical therapist on improving his range of motion. Once he saw progress, he began working on strength training along with his regular tennis routine. It helps him power his serves

Tennis has always been there for Greenspon throughout his life. He started playing right after college and was introduced to Longboat Key, like so many others, through tennis.

Other than his appearances in the Maccabiah Games, Greenspon has played in the Pan Am Games. He’s enjoyed traveling through tennis, and credits the Maccabiah Games with reconnecting him to his religion. His first trip to the games was his first trip to Israel.

“It’s just fascinating being there, to see things you read about or heard about,” Greenspon said. “The opening ceremony is comparable to the Olympics. What was life changing for me was I learned about the Israel Tennis Centers. A Longboat Key guy had done a fundraiser for the Israel Tennis Center, and I learned about it when I got back. I took over the fundraiser, and it changed my life.”

Greenspon got involved with tournaments and tennis lessons for kids with the Israel Tennis Centers, the largest social service agency for kids in Israel. They start kids in tennis at 5 and keep them in throughout their lives, building friendships and life skills. Thanks to Greenspon’s involvement, the major center there is named after him. Coincidentally, that’s where Maccabiah Games matches get played.

“I get to play matches on my court that’s in my name,” Greenspon said.

MACCABIAH MEDLEY

Greenspon practices a serve at the Longboat Key Tennis Gardens.

Greenspon isn’t the only local heading to the games, nor is he the only Greenspon. His nephew will compete in hockey for the first time in the over-40 division, so the Greenspons are making it a family affair and traveling to Israel together.

Across the Ringling Bridge, Sarasota High School sophomore Elias Corn was selected for the swim team and will compete in Israel, too.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

Mark your calendars The Key is back to socializing with a bang, so look out for the return of these classics in the new year.

File photos

Artist JoAnne Curtan at the Town Hall Art Reception

TOWN HALL ART RECEPTIONS

NAT KAEMMERER STAFF WRITER

L

ongboat Key missed out on more than a few good parties since the pandemic started in March 2020.

The first casualty was the Town Hall Art Reception, which was finally hosted in November 2021, but dozens more events followed — the Freedom Fest and annual Lawn Party being two of the biggest cancellations. Events started to come back as snowbirds did, and the rise of vaccines on the Key only accelerated the rise of parties. It really started to pick up as fall fell, and the calendar will just keep filling up in the new year. Here’s what to mark on your calendar in 2022.

MARKET AT TOWN CENTER GREEN

The Lawn Party started the slate of events taking place on Town Center Green, and the ball will only keep rolling in 2022. Now that there’s been a successful event and there’s a stage coming, the green space will come into its own as a communal gathering space for the Key. The Market on Longboat Key will kick off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 14 at Town Center Green at 600 Bay Isles Road with food trucks, music, produce, local artists and more. The next two markets are planned for Feb. 11 and March 11. Call 518-4431 for details.

LONGBOAT KEY GARDEN CLUB FASHION SHOW

The Longboat Key Garden Club is splitting up one of its biggest events

of the year. What was once the Taste of the Keys and Fashion Show will now be the Taste of the Keys … and separately, a fashion show. The fashion part will actually come first, on Jan. 18 at the Harbourside Ballroom at the Holiday Inn Lido Beach Resort, and it will be a luncheon rather than a dinner event. Visit LBKGardenClub. com for information.

TASTE OF THE KEYS

In 2021, the Longboat Key Garden Club hosted a virtual Taste of the Keys, in which it filmed local restaurateurs and chefs behind the scenes and distributed menu books and the videos to participants. This year, it will be a more classic take on the affair. Plan for a Taste of Longboat Key in March 2022. Visit LBKGardenClub.com for information.

This is another event that made a triumphant return in 2021. The next one will be held at 5:30 p.m. on March 22 at Town Hall with a batch of new artists.

Tony, Nancy and Biscuit Roberts won Most Patriotic in the Hot Diggity Dog! parade.

FREEDOM FEST

The Royal Rummage will return in 2022.

After a break in 2020, the 2021 Freedom Fest came back with a red, white and blue bang. The classic highlights from this event include the Rotary Club of Longboat Key’s Hot Diggity Dog! contributions, the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce’s quarter-mile parade down Bay Isles Road and carnival games for the kids. It’s small-town charm like no other. The parade usually starts at 9 a.m. on July 4 at Bay Isles Road.

arts organizations to the Circle and served to mark the beginning of the busy performing season. This year, Next-Mark President Joe Grano said they’re targeting a November date for the event. Keep an eye on StArmandsCircleAssoc.com for information.

ROYAL RUMMAGE

The Royal Rummage was one of the last big events hosted on Longboat Key before the pandemic. Hundreds of people waited outside St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church’s Parish Hall to press into a small space with strangers and score deals on just about any item you can think of. After a year off in 2021, the bargain-hunting bonanza will resume on March 4 and 5. The early bird sale will be from noon to 4 p.m. on March 4 and cost $5 to get in, while the 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. event on March 5 is free. There will be home goods, clothes, books and goodies galore. The church is also accepting items, except hazardous materials like paint and TVs. Call 807-4499 for information.

The Paradise Center Executive Director Suzy Brenner and board President Dick Pelton

PARADISE CENTER WALK Musicians performed at the first Sarasota Arts Live.

SARASOTA ARTS LIVE

Rain tamped down the scale of this first-time event in 2021. As an end to the Sol of the Circle spate of summer events, which included Family Days, outdoor yoga and traveling musicians, it brought several performing

The Paradise Striders keep growing every year. In 2021, The Paradise Center Executive Director Suzy Brenner decided to host a satellite walk for breast cancer awareness, because the American Cancer Society’s walk was at Nathan Benderson Park. Tons of residents showed up LBK EVENTS, PAGE 20

Jeff Rhinelander Courtney Tarantino

BIRD KEY

518 BIRD KEY DRIVE SOLD $1,550,000 BUYER AND SELLER REPRESENTED

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COUNTRY CLUB SHORES 591 GOLF LINKS LANE ACTIVE LISTING $4,895,000

BIRD KEY

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BIRD KEY

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FLAWLESS EXECUTION FLAWLESS EXECUTION

File photos

Hundreds of kids make their way through St. Armands Circle for candy. The best bet for adults is to grab a table and join the candy-giving fun.

LBK events FROM PAGE 18

dressed in pink to walk it out and raise money for breast cancer awareness and research, and Brenner plans to do it again this year. She’ll hold it simultaneously with the Sarasota walk, which means it will be held mid-October. Look at Oct. 15.

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FRIGHT NIGHT ST. ARMANDS

This is a night that packs the Circle like no other. Tiny princesses, superheroes, cartoon characters and every costume imaginable crowd in for as much candy as they can get their hands on. As more trick-or-treaters pile in, the foot traffic grinds to a halt. The best plan for the night is to get a table at one of the restaurants around the Circle and park there for people-watching and candy-handing-out. Maybe get those reservations in ASAP — the crowds are really no joke. The event usually starts at 6 p.m. on Halloween, which is on a Monday this year.

Navy veteran Bill Evanko with Valerie Evanko and Roy and Donna Brown at the 2021 concert.

VETERANS DAY CONCERT

Longboat Island Chapel hosted its first Veterans Day concert in 2021, thanks to music director Maurice Overholt and the musical stylings of Siren Song. The concert was a hit with members, several of whom came dressed in their military uniforms, and the chapel plans on doing it again this year.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

LIGHT UP LONGBOAT

The Longboat Key Christmas season kick-off has come into its own after three years. After a scaled-down pandemic celebration in 2020, in which most attendees stayed in their cars, the 2021 Light Up Longboat was the biggest yet. There was food, plenty of hot chocolate to go around and Santa Claus. The trees will just keep gaining lights, too. This event is usually at 5:30 on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, which will be Nov. 26 in 2021.

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INTERFAITH THANKSGIVING

Though it seems the 2021 edition just wrapped up, the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key is already looking towards the 2022 Lawn Party. After a break in 2020, the 2021 Lawn Party was the biggest the club has ever held and benefitted Children’s Guardian Fund. The club plans to have the same beneficiary again and will plan to have the event on the first Saturday in December, which is Dec. 3.

21

Stacey Maloney

LAWN PARTY Rev. Brock Patterson will give the message at the 2022 Interfaith Thanksgiving service.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

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Lutheran Church, St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Longboat Island Chapel and Christ Church of Longboat Key and is at 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

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Doug Withers and Michael Garey at the Lawn Party.

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SARASOTA 66 N Washington Drive 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 4,983 Sq. Ft. Kristina Waskom 941-266-8658 A4519666 $10,900,000

SARASOTA 162 Emerson Drive Nora Johnson & Klaus Lang 941-809-1700 A4519917 $6,490,000

SARASOTA 1335 Second Street PH 5 Beds 5/2 Baths 5,883 Sq. Ft. Jonathan Abrams 941-232-2868 A4516602 $6,450,000

MYAKKA CITY 3005 233rd Street E 4 Beds 3/2 Baths 4,164 Sq. Ft. Chris Baylis 941-735-4713 A4510152 $5,800,000

LONGBOAT KEY 25 Lighthouse Point Drive 4 Beds 6/1 Baths 6,025 Sq. Ft. Sherri Mills 941-350-7112 A4503359 $5,200,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 112 Mangrove Avenue 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,577 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4502423 $3,999,000

SARASOTA The Ritz-Carlton Tower Residences, 902 4 Beds 4 Baths 3,751 Sq. Ft. Joan Dickinson & Beth Afflebach 941-914-0496 A4499039 $3,450,000

SARASOTA 473 Partridge Circle 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,226 Sq. Ft. Drew Russell 941-993-3739 A4511642 $3,095,000

SARASOTA 500 S Palm Avenue 101 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,830 Sq. Ft. Marybeth Flynn 941-704-1477 A4517329 $3,000,000

LONGBOAT KEY 647 Marbury Lane 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 2,651 Sq. Ft. Sandi Layfield 941-914-2807 A4503569 $1,599,000

LONGBOAT KEY 3010 Grand Bay Boulevard 445 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,143 Sq. Ft. Mel & Jan Goldsmith 941-356-6673 A4520071 $1,495,000

LONGBOAT KEY 1445 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 303 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,982 Sq. Ft. Jonathan Fox & Susan Fox, PA 941-544-6649 A4515949 $1,330,000

LONGBOAT KEY 741 Fox Street 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,390 Sq. Ft. Cindy Fischer & Mark J Baron 941-465-1124 A4520104 $1,195,000

LONGBOAT KEY 100 Sands Point Road 323 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,941 Sq. Ft. Peter Salefsky & Rachelle Golden 941-724-5107 A4517962 $995,000

LONGBOAT KEY 656 Tarawitt Drive 10,799 Sq. Ft. Ian Addy, PA & Gail Wittig 941-961-8850 A4518192 $950,000

SARASOTA 205 Golden Gate Point 302 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,480 Sq. Ft. Lenore Treiman & Tak Konstantinou 941-356-9642 A4520194 $915,000

LONGBOAT KEY 1701 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 207 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,551 Sq. Ft. Brigitte Von Kessel 941-266-2174 A4519006 $895,000

SARASOTA 707 S Gulfstream Avenue 101 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,247 Sq. Ft. Marybeth Flynn 941-704-1477 A4518888 $850,000

SARASOTA 1039 23rd Street 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,513 Sq. Ft. Maureen Doherty & Patrick Doherty 941-993-3159 A4519506 $799,000

BRADENTON 3912 Plumosa Terrace Street W 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,679 Sq. Ft. Pam Goodwin & Fran DeDona 941-812-0754 A4517658 $749,000

SARASOTA 8529 Great Meadow Drive 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,421 Sq. Ft. Bibi-Ann Allard PA 941-685-0422 A4519305 $674,000

LONGBOAT KEY 4410 Exeter Drive K206 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,168 Sq. Ft. Malihe Karimi 941-376-5099 A4520093 $625,000

LONGBOAT KEY 4410 Exeter Drive K205 2 Beds 2 Baths 992 Sq. Ft. Malihe Karimi 941-376-5099 A4519064 $595,000

SARASOTA 101 S Gulfstream Avenue 15B 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,320 Sq. Ft. Tracy Jones 941-376-3405 A4518516 $470,000

SARASOTA 5651 Bidwell Parkway 205 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,316 Sq. Ft. Kaitlin Kuhn 941-400-7861 A4520290 $275,000

LONGBOAT KEY 70 Lighthouse Point Drive 4 Beds 5/2 Baths 4,979 Sq. Ft. Linda Driggs & Sara Boudarga 941-374-2920 A4518073 $8,500,000

SARASOTA 3300 Old Oak Drive 4 Beds 4/3 Baths 6,428 Sq. Ft. Barbara May & Fred Sassen 404-822-9264 A4520464 $8,495,000

SARASOTA 483 Meadow Lark Drive 4 Beds 3/2 Baths 5,468 Sq. Ft. The Walter Group 941-232-2000 A4510572 $6,850,000

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in John Ringling Estates tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. John Funiciello, of Syracuse, New York, and 540 N Washington Associates LLC sold the home at 540 N. Washington Drive to Stark Ventures LLP for $3,375,000. Built in 1951, it has four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 3,836 square feet of living area.

PARK RESIDENCES OF LIDO KEY

Richard and Mary Nunis, of Windermere, sold their Unit E305 condominium at 159 Taft Drive to BL LaRue Real Estate LLC for $2.8 million. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,228 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,546,600 in 2016.

BIRD KEY

William and Susanne Foody, of Sarasota, sold their home at 122 N. Warbler Lane to Richard Ware II, trustee, of Amarillo, Texas, for $2.7 million. Built in 1987, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,421 square feet of living area. It sold for $162,500 in 1987.

L’AMBIANCE AT LONGBOAT KEY CLUB

23

DEC. 13-DEC. 24

SLEEPY LAGOON PARK

David Goldsberry and Caryn Bray, of Tampa, sold their home at 648 Marbury Lane to P. Cortland LaMee and Mary Candace Berk, of Longboat Key, for $1.25 million. Built in 1994, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,430 square feet of living area. It sold for $475,000 in 1999.

Andrew Callahan and Andrea Okun, trustees, of Cincinnati, sold the home at 674 Norton St. to Daniel Steven Matula and Kristin Helm Matula, of Longboat Key, for $1.15 million. Built in 1960, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,720 square feet of living area. It sold for $412,500 in 2012.

EMERALD POINTE SOUTH

Sarah Gabrielle Ellis sold her Unit 12 condominium at 1910 Harbour Links Circle to Edward and Jeanette Melando, of Longboat Key, for $1,075,000. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,462 square feet of living area. It sold for $750,000 in 2018.

FAIRWAY BAY

Patricia Sabatini and Nicholas Bullins, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their Unit 244 condominium at 1932 Harbourside Drive to Tina LongForslund, of Sarasota, for $895,000.

Built in 1982, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,192 square feet of living area. It sold for $429,000 in 2019.

Debra Cleveland, of Geneva, New York, sold her Unit 11-E condominium at 1700 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Daniel and Amy Loepp, of Bloomfield, Michigan, for $1.06 million. Built in 1968, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,507 square feet of living area. It sold for $800,000 in 2020.

COUNTRY CLUB SHORES

SEAPLACE

Photo courtesy of Doug Parks, Michael Saunders & Company

This gated home at 540 N. Washington Drive was built in 1951 and has four bedrooms, five bathrooms and more than 3,800 square feet of living space.

501 condominium at 2110 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Patrick John Devine and Tara Devine, of Clarksville, Maryland, for $915,000. Built in 1968, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,248 square feet of living area. It sold for $775,000 in 2021.

LIDO REGENCY

BEACHPLACE

DGM Service of Sarasota Inc. sold the home at 530 Chipping Lane to Thomas and Audra Ramsey, of Centennial, Colorado, for $1.35 mil-

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

lion. Built in 1967, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,949 square feet of living area. It sold for $310,000 in 1996.

Leonard Weiner, trustee, and Deborah Jane Schultz-Weiner, of Louisville, Kentucky, sold the Unit H-702 condominium at 435 L’Ambiance Drive to Barry and Debra Smith, of Roslyn Heights, New York, for $2.5 million. Built in 1994, it has two bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,385 square feet of living area.

It sold for $790,000 in 1994.

Frieda and Dieter Dettlaff, of Tampa, sold their home at 633 Halyard Lane to Junfang Zhang, trustee, of Bonita Springs, for $1.7 million. Built in 1966, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,743 square feet of living area. It sold for $308,000 in 1992.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

REAL ESTATE

Lido home sells for $3,375,000

|

WINDING OAKS

Douglas Armbruster, of Edgewood, Kentucky, sold the Unit 204 condominium at 1115 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Donald Hamaty Jr. and Tamara Sudderth Hamaty, of Chamblee, Georgia, for $995,000. Built in 1979, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,503 square feet of living area. It sold for $635,000 in 2021.

William and Caressa Gadd, of Nixa, Missouri, sold their Unit 56 condominium at 3402 Winding Oaks Drive to Davin Andrew Gibbins and Jacqueline Gibbins, of Oakland, California, for $830,000. Built in

1988, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 2,039 square feet of living area. It sold for $645,000 in 2016.

SEAGRAPE LONGBOAT VILLAGE

Sandra Leslie Kirsch, Jonathan David Kirsch and Kenneth Jeffrey Kirsch, of New York City, sold their Unit 21 condominium at 7001 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Stan and Anna Liguz, of Longboat Key, for $765,000. Built in 1974, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,170 square feet of living area. It sold for $195,000 in 1992.

AVIGNON VILLAS

Patrice Fanning and Molly Prues sold their Unit 2 condominium at 5611 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Lori Mullins, of Riverview, for $650,000.

Built in 1985, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,207 square feet of living area. It sold for $389,000 in 2013.

In with the new

John Moran, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the Unit M2-312-B condominium at 1945 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Raymond Strothman, trustee, of Louisville, Kentucky, for $985,000.

Built in 1978, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,532 square feet of living area. It sold for $325,000 in 2013.

SALES GALLERY OPEN

Longboat Key

LIDO HARBOUR SOUTH

John Texada and Courtney Ann Ferris, of Sarasota, sold their Unit

The Residences at the St. Regis | 941.213.3300 | From the $2,000,000’s | Call for appointment. SRResidencesLongboatKey.com

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

SALES GALLERY NOW OPEN

These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of Dec. 17-29 in order of dollar amounts.

L O N G B OAT K E Y PERMIT Interior alterations

APPLICANT Spanish Drive Holdings LLC

3349 Sabal Cove Way

Windows and doors Mark H. Collin

553 Juan Anasco Drive

Windows and doors Cari Steed

AMOUNT 163,364

Downtown St. Petersburg

71,938 46,608

3434 Winding Oaks Drive Windows and doors Stanley Rodbell

33,293

651 Emerald Harbor Drive Re-roof

John and Kimberly Wise

32,350

628 Bayview Drive

Plumbing

Mark W. Mitchell

30,000

548 Cutter Lane

Electrical

548 Cutter Lane LLC

25,935

584 Yawl Lane

Electrical

Jeffrey S. Snauwaert Trust

25,935

2550 Harbourside Drive #324 A/C change-out

Franklin N. Biggins TTEE

24,000

6401 GMD

Plumbing

John D. Horton

6945 GMD Unit 21

Windows and doors Judeith I. Krasnow

16,500

801 Penfield St.

A/C change-out

Jamm Family LLC

13,625

659 Cedars St.

Re-roof

Donald J. M. Brown

10,715

661 Cedars St.

Re-roof

Mary Ann Miller

10,715

747 St. Judes Drive S Unit 4 Electrical

Gail K. Russell

9,615

3808 GMD #E112

Doors

Michael O. Smith

9,025

4540 GMD Unit 301

electrical

Kevin Kihnke

7,500

5412 Sandhamn Place

A/C change-out

Richard B. Perlman

7,450

631 Spanish Drive S.

Doors

Judi Susan Skversky

7,241

370 GMD #431

A/C change-out

Malcolm Barry Revocable Trust

7,175

6812 GMD

A/C change-out

Porter Investment Holdings

1241 GMD #903

A/C change-out

400 Central | 727.209.7848 | From the $1,000,000’s | Call for appointment. | Residences400central.com

MOVE IN FALL 2022

17,095

7,060

Albert F. Dombrowski

7,000

415 L’Ambiance Drive #305 A/C change-out

Alan L. Zimmerman

6,664

1701 GMD #604

A/C change-out

Christopher W. Dolle

6,586

3710 GMD #F19

A/C change-out

Jerry M. Freeland

6,361

2045 GMD #307

A/C change-out

Roy G. Titterton

3008 GMD #207

A/C change-out

Gulf Tides Develop Corp.

6,174 6,030

Downtown Sarasota

The Collection | 941.232.2868 | From the $2,000,000’s | Call for appointment. | thecollection1335.com

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

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

WWW.MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM/NEW-HOMES | 844.591.4333 | SARASOTA, FLORIDA Prices as of November 2021.

Source: Town of Longboat Key

Licensed Real Estate Broker

370928-1

ADDRESS 580 Spanish Drive N.

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

REAL HOPE FOR REVERSING THE SYMPTOMS OF ALZHEIMER’S AND COGNITIVE DECLINE

YOUR CALENDAR

24

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY

THURSDAY, JAN. 6

The Alzheimer’s Disease and Cognitive Decline Masterclass Wednesday, January 12 at 1PM th

1 South School Ave, Sarasota, FL | FREE TO THE PUBLIC • The Root Causes and how to address them.

• A unique Step-By-Step clinical protocol that is successfully restoring memory and cognitive function.

• What you can do if you suffer from Memory Impairment, Cognitive Decline, and/or Alzheimer’s Disease.

What exactly will be covered at this Event?

At The Carroll Institute we identify, treat, and reverse the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and Cognitive Decline.

REGISTER FOR THIS LIFE CHANGING EVENT Call Today 941-350-7722 or visit

www.alzheimersfaqs.com/CDOB

367455-1

Dr. Glenn is a leader in the field of reversing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and Cognitive Decline.

Savor Sounds the Sounds Savor the

Savor the Sounds Musical Series Concert

Presented by

Longboat Key • 2022

Saturday, January 22nd DOUG DEMING AND THE JEWEL TONES 5:30 pm - 7 pm (Gates open at 4:30 pm) 600 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key

Come out and “Savor the Sounds,” and enjoy an elegant, yet casual, outdoor picnic setting. BYOPB! Bring a picnic basket and blanket. (Lawn chairs, tables and coolers are welcome.)

Pre-order boxed dinners from Publix by calling (941)383-1502.

Beer and wine will be available to purchase courtesy of Gold Coast Eagle Distributors.

VIP Tickets

General Admission

$250 (Table of 8)

$25 in advance

Advance purchase only.

Limited availability.

$35 at the door

Weather permitting - No Refunds

ADVANCE TICKET SALES Monday - Friday from 9 am to 5 pm Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce 5390 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, Suite 102

THINKING OUT LOUD: TIMELY TOPICS WITH MIKE KARP From 1-2:30 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Topics will include U.S. and world current affairs, popular culture and topics relevant to seniors. Cost is $10.

Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

BEST BET

MUSCLES AND MORE WITH ANN ALVIS From 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 GMD. Use strength equipment to build flexibility, endurance and balance.

This class welcomes everyone and focuses on proper lifting technique.

Class is $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers. Visit LongboatKey. org for information.

File photo

OBSERVER CHALLENGE RECEPTION From 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Longboat Key Tennis Center, 590 Bay Isles Road.

Harry’s Continental Kitchens is catering. The reception is free for players and $20 for non-players. Call 316-8367.

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS

LORD’S WAREHOUSE THRIFT STORE The thrift store will be open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is located at 6140 GMD. Call 383-4738.

FRIDAY, JAN. 7 TO SUNDAY, JAN. 9

OBSERVER CHALLENGE Daily at the Longboat Key Tennis Center, 590 Bay Isles Road, the Observer Challenge will be playing. The finals will be played Sunday. Teams are four players – two men and two women – and the cost is $45 per player. Call 316-8367 to register.

TUESDAY, JAN. 11

TUESDAYS

LONGBOAT KEY BEACH YOGA From 9-10 a.m. at the public beach access at 100 Broadway St. on Longboat Key, join for a beach yoga class.

A $10 donation is recommended.

FRIDAY, JAN. 14

LONGBOAT KEY MARKET From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Town Center Green, 600 Bay Isles Road.

RECURRING EVENTS MONDAYS

STRETCH & STRENGTHEN From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Focus is on strength training and flexibility for balance. Suzy Brenner leads the class. Fee is $10. Call 383-6493.

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

HULA From 11 a.m. to noon at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Join Debby White for a hula class. Cost is $10. Call 383-6493.

MAH JONGG From 1-3 pm at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Fun time for experienced players. To check availability at the tables or be put on a waitlist for a beginner class, please RSVP: MaryAnnBrady@TheParadiseCenter.org or 383-6493.

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

Be a Newsie!

Your membership supports independent local journalism here, at home, in your neighborhood.* Membership benefits include: • Unlimited access to our email newsletters and website; no registration pop-ups when logged in • Quarterly eNewsletter, Extra! Extra!, from the Observer Newsroom • Invitations to member-only events Jan.: Season Arts Preview Feb.: Vision for Downtown Sarasota Panel Discussion Mar.: Observer Cup Polo Apr.: Lakewood Ranch: The future of development panel discussion May: Wine & Wisdom Aug.: Candidate Forum • Opportunities to connect with our journalists and give feedback

Join The Neighborhood

5

$ /mo.

Or $50 year

371284-1

FEBRUARY 19 - Kettle of Fish MARCH 19 - Shantel Norman and the Shantel Norman Band For cancellation information, call (941)383-2466 or check facebook.com/lbkchamber.

Questions?

Call 941-366-3468 or newsies@yourobserver.com

JOIN TODAY, VISIT

YourObserver.com/newsies

*Don’t worry - we’re still free and always will be.

369153-1

Upcoming Savor the Sounds Concerts:

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

25

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

SUNRISE / SUNSET

FRIDAY, JAN. 7

High: 72 Low: 59 Chance of rain: 17%

Thursday, Jan. 6 7:21a 5:51p

WEATHER

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST

|

Sunrise Sunset

Friday, Jan. 7

7:21a

5:52p

Saturday, Jan. 8

7:21a

5:52p

Sunday, Jan. 9

7:21a

5:53p

SATURDAY, JAN. 8

Monday, Jan. 10

7:22a

5:54p

High: 79 Low: 65 Chance of rain: 5%

Tuesday, Jan. 11

7:22a

5:55p

Wednesday, Jan. 12

7:22a

5:56p

MOON PHASES SUNDAY, JAN. 9 High: 80 Low: 65 Chance of rain: 9%

Jan. 31 New

Feb. 8 First

Feb. 16 Full

Feb. 23 Last

TIDES

Diane Suner captured this photo of a horse conch shell on North Lido Beach.

Highs Lows

Thursday, Jan. 6

1:21a

4:20p

9:51a

8:49p

Friday, Jan. 7

2:21a

4:43p

10:29a

10:20p

Saturday, Jan. 8

3:31a

5:10p

11:04a

11:53p

Sunday, Jan. 9

4:59a

5:41p

11:37a

—

Monday, Jan. 10

6:50a

6:14p

1:20a

12:11p

Tuesday, Jan. 11

8:48a

6:49p

2:33a

12:46p

Wednesday, Jan. 12

10:31a

7:28p

3:32a

1:24p

Submit your photos at YourObserver.com/Weather. All submissions will be entered for the 2021-22 Weather and Nature photo contest. In February 2022, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card.

MANASOTA FLOORING INC 941.493.7441 | www.manasotaonline.com

crossword

celebrity cipher

BRIDGE THE GAP by Prasanna Keshava. Edited by David Steinberg 130 Ready for recording 131 Treat successfully 132 & 133 Positive answers 134 Fueled (up) 135 Online outlet for crafters

DOWN

©2022 Universal Uclick

33 Texting format (Abbr.)

ACROSS 35 Place to experiment 1 Agenda part 37 Watermelon’s exterior 5 On a ship, say 38 Paleontological job 11 Trembled (Last three letters + ...)

16 FBI agent 42 Sorbet relative (... first 19 Tedious talker four) 20 Plane’s landing area 45 Verse of praise 21 Simple putt 46 Cause to jump, maybe 22 ___ carte 47 Dieter’s figure, for 23 Pixar film set in a scream-powered city (Note short? the last three letters in this 48 Bread type 49 Wood concern clue’s answer + ...)

25 Egg dish station (... the 50 Swine’s supper 52 In regard to first three in this one) 57 2010 Taylor Swift album 27 Pour forth (Last four letters + ...)

28 Greet nonverbally 62 One may be above a 29 Bowling target 30 Chilling, but not relax- musical staff (... first five) 65 Preadolescent ing 66 Like a snail 31 Not happy with

369518-1

941.748.4679 | Venice

68 TV channel hidden in “camcorder” 69 Early Andean 70 Pickled cucumber 72 One of a Disney septet 75 Bone mineral 77 Goes wrong 78 “Mamma ___!”

80 Northwestern housing?

82 Oscar winner Witherspoon 83 Background actor (Last three letters + ...)

87 Filling pizza style (... first two) 89 Promise 90 Certain parents 92 University URL ending 93 Marriage vow 96 Play-___ 97 Pub measures

100 “60 Minutes” network 103 Detectable segment of DNA (Last four letters + ...)

107 Apportion (... first six) 109 Japanese buckwheat noodle 110 Conflict in many epics 111 “That’s really something!”

113 Run like a mouse 114 “Halt,” nautically 116 Teacher’s org.

118 Braid 122 Chillax 123 Steve Wozniak portrayer (Last three letters + ...)

125 Successful racehorse (... first three) 128 Weeding tool 129 Vote in

1 PC pioneer 2 2016 Drake hit with the lyric “You take my love for granted” 3 Certain hosp. caregiver 4 Soldiers’ dining halls 5 Had some food 6 Stable building?

7 Phrase of approximation 8 Surrounded by 9 Terrible reviews 10 “Batman” publisher 11 ___-and-go 12 Mark who played Luke Skywalker 13 Alfresco 14 Vinegar’s partner 15 Tibia-femur connector 16 Textile 17 Major “Seinfeld” character who wasn’t in the pilot 18 Challenged 24 Bangkok natives 26 Actress Garr 31 OAK alternative 32 Affectionate treatment, briefly 34 Market compartment 36 Shoreline feature 39 Like intense chocolate 40 Golf clubs with thin heads 41 Age 43 Natural soother 44 Nigh 51 Portable organizer (Abbr.)

53 Pizza portions 54 Wind up or wind down 55 At the expected time 56 500 sheets 57 Turn sharply 58 Iran, once 59 Cartoon screech

60 Japanese cartoon genre 61 “Amazing!”

63 SUV maker 64 Paperless greeting 65 Apt thing to toss in the laundry?

67 Roll of bills 70 Precious stones 71 Veto 73 Fishing pole 74 Unpaid promotion, e.g.?

76 Hawaiian neckwear 79 $$$ dispenser 81 Newspapers and such 84 “Black Panther” villain Killmonger 85 Took a train, say 86 Surrounded by 88 Football kick 91 Herding canine 94 Morning moisture 95 Florida fruits 98 “___ the season ...”

99 2014 Winter Olympics city 100 Morsel made from a kernel 101 “Impossible” ones are meatless 102 Hog home 103 Get over a rejection 104 Subsided 105 Foolhardy 106 Birthplace of the Olympics 108 Subtle distinction 109 Malia Obama’s sister 112 Justice Kagan 115 Apt name for a third child 117 Pests in a colony 119 Peace treaty topic 120 Sacred Egyptian bird 121 Youngster 124 “Hooray,” in Jalisco 126 Marry 127 Spanish king

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“VJNSN ESN VJSNN VJBLYC GNL ZEL KP FBVJ FPGNL: TPMN VJNG, CXRRNS RPS VJNG PS VXSL VJNG BLVP TBVNSEVXSN.” – CVNDJNL CVBTTC

“TB ORS ER VPOKCTPX BRU KRR WRPX, TK ZKVUKZ KR WVMJ FEXF, KR DFMRHF KRR FVZO. FVZO TZ KCF JTZZ RB EFVKC.” – GSWTV RUHRPE

“PTO IKIZN YRHHIYYLRB WCP FY C JTTA LCOSIZ, URO IKIZN JTTA LCOSIZ FY C YRHHIYYLRB WCP.”

– ZTUIZO ARKCBB

Puzzle Three Clue: K equals V

941.355.8437 | Bradenton

Puzzle Two Clue: D equals B

Sarasota

KITCHENS, BATHROOMS, BEDROOMS & MORE

Puzzle One Clue: M equals V

HARDWOOD

© 2022 NEA, Inc.

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

©2022 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

1-6-22

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

Vacation/ Seasonal Rentals

redpages@yourobserver.com • yourobserver.com/redpages DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at 2PM Service Directory - Friday at 3PM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card 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.

Autos for Sale

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

941809-3660, 941-809-3662.

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

Items Under $200

SELL STUFF HERE!

auto

YourObserver.com/RedPages

Autos Service

Help Wanted MARINE AQUACULTURE / Biologist / Aquarist Marine Aquaculture Facility, E-Commerce and Phone Support for two marine businesses/ Part-time $15-$19/ hour. Flexible Schedule. Great job for a marine biology student or aquarium hobbyist. Contact EdK@CulturedCorals.com for details.

PART-TIME MAINTENANCE at vacation rental company on Longboat Key. Light maintenance and repairs in vacation properties. Vehicle and tools provided.

FL Vacation Connection. 941387-9709 or submit resume to Info@FLVacationConnection.com

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

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 Fax: 941-362-4808

FAMILY SECURITY DRIVER 941-735-4732.

Ask for Eddie.

Many years experience with rock stars, wild teens, children, elderly, and foreign families.

Feel safe, Be safe 24/7 Licensed and Legal.

Email: RedPages@YourObserver.com Online: YourObserver.com/Red Pages

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

Sorrento Shores Waterfront 3 Bed 2 Bath Fantastic Views, New Dock $995,000 Stroll to Siesta Key Beach 4 Bed 2 Bath Heated Pool, 2 Car Garage $799,000

LONGBOAT KEY: Beachfront Condos, 1st or 2nd floor, 2BR/2BA, W/D in units, free WiFi, heated pool, & parking. Call 941-383-3338.

941-955-4888 PLACE YOUR AD ONLINE: YourObserver.com/RedPages

Call for coming soon listings.

Houses or Condos

Buy or Sell with Brooke O’Malley as your Realtor, and CLUB REALTY will Pay your title insurance.

Call 941-726-2677.

wagnerlbkrentals@gmail.com

Reservations 941-383-5577 Visa/MC 5360 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Suite

Rental office 9a.m. - 5p.m.

M-F Ask about our special rates!

Wagner Realty

941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

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.

Call/Text 941-383-1235 E-mail: longboatlimousine @yahoo.com

*Caregivers/Companions *Personal Care * CNA’s/HHA’s

* Assistance with Daily Living Activities * Hourly 24/7 Care -Affordable Rates * Licensed/ Bonded/ Insured HHA# 299994819

Auto Transport AIRPORT RIDES to Tampa, St. Pete., Sarasota from surrounding islands. Super ride, super fares.

Call/text Anna: 941-932-1600 SHIP YOUR car, truck or SUV anywhere in the United States.

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

Cleaning

Government

CLAUDIA C. Cleaning Services.

Experienced, dependable, and ready to begin!

Residential.

Excellent references.

941-773-6895.

Since 1939 www.rentalsonlongboat.com

Painting

New luxury Sedans and SUVs. Fully Licenced and insured.

101 Longboat Key, FL 34228

CLEANING BY Brazilian Lady.

Meticulous, reliable, deep cleaning specialist. Residential.

Commercial. New Construction.

941-400-2866.

Your local luxury transportation provider since 1994.

SEASONAL Rates Between

Cleaning

LONGBOAT LIMOUSINE

Phone (941) 809-1438 WEEKLY MONTHLY

YourObserver.com/RedPages

Transportation

Perfect Solutions For Seniors

Beachfront, Bayfront and In

FIND BUYERS AND SELLERS HERE!

Adult Care Services

SELL YOUR STUFF HERE!

Longboat Key Beach House: on Canal, 2BED-2BATH, Dock.

Owner/agent $530,000.

You’re only cheating yourself.

MANY MISCELLANEOUS items including collectables and furniture pieces. $50 each.

941-800-4476

Luxurious Lake Club 4 Bed 4 Bath Built in 2019 Lakefront Lakewood Ranch $2,500,000

jobs

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

Homes for Sale

LONGBOAT KEY, BEA CH H ARBO R C LU B AN D B A Y P OR T T EN N I S C LU B FLORIDA : 2 Bedrooms, 2 baths. Over 1600 Square feet.

Ground 1st floor. 75” TV’s, fully upgraded. Monthly annually.

Contact lin44139@yahoo.com or linetsky2021@icloud.com or with desired rental price. Rent various: $6,000/month $8,000/month. Sales tax and fees are included.

POST YOUR AD WITH EASE

GARAGE SALE

As low as $17.50 per week!

941-955-4888

This week’s Crossword answers

PUBLIC NOTICE LOST OR ABANDONED PROPERTY Held by Longboat Key Police Department 5460 Gulf of Mexico Dr. THE LONGBOAT KEY POLICE DEPARTMENT IS HOLDING FISHING POLES, ELECTRONICS, WALLETS, AND CAR KEYS ALL TURNED IN AS FOUND DURING THIS TIME PERIOD OF 01-01-21 THRU 12-16-21. IF NOT CLAIMED BY OWNERS, ITEMS SHALL BE DISPOSED OF AS AUTHORIZED BY F.S.S. 705.103. INQUIRES 941-361-6411 x1928

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “There are three things men can do with women: love them, suffer for them or turn them into literature.”

Stephen Stills Puzzle Two Solution: “If you do anything for too long, it starts to lack edge, to become too easy. Easy is the kiss of death.”

Julia Ormond Puzzle Three Solution: “Not every successful man is a good father, but every good father is a successful man.”

Robert Duvall

This week’s Sudoku answers

©2021 Universal Uclick

©2021 NEA, Inc.

CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

peekers’ place

stuff

Autos Wanted

real estate

2005 S4 Audi Convertible, V8, silver exterior with red/black interior, mint condition, fully loaded, original owner, 34K miles asking $18,000. 941-807-7422

BEACH HARBOR Club Gorgeous penthouse condo with access to beach/boat/pool/fitness. 3BR/2BA, 2 large terraces, sunrise/sunset views. $5500/mo in season.

248-202-6865 or 440-623-9068.

home services

RED PAGES

SELL IT FAST HERE!

public notices

Made for where you live. Here!

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

Auto Service

Dog Grooming

MM40360

Power Washing

5-Star Rated Pressure Washing

Registered member of the National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA)

Furniture Repair

SERVING YOU IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME

Honesty, Integrity and Pride

• Roofs • Pool Cages • Decks • Driveways Deck/Paver Sealing• •Decks Gutter• Driveways Cleaning ••Roofs • Pool Cages AndSealing Much•More!

• Deck/Paver And Much More

Patio Furniture Repairs.com 370573

370575

370552

941-504-0903

FREE PICKUP / DELIVERY • FREE ONSITE QUOTES

941-544-1066

AMANDA 371066

www.rockstarmobilehairsalon.com

Roofing

CONSTRUCTION HANDYMAN • Home Repairs & Maintenance • Interior & Exterior 941.504.2745 • Garage Floor Paint 941.400.1563 • Power Wash

Naji Aoun

Carpet Cleaning

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc. Building & Roofing Contractor

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

GladysKhabbaz@gmail.com 805 Molly Circle, Sarasota

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510 BAY ISLES ROAD, SUITE 1 • LONGBOAT KEY, FL (Next to SUNTRUST BANK)

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

ROGER SELLS LUXURY WATERFRONT PROPERTIES

MORE THAN $209 MILLION CLOSED IN 2021

Dear Neighbor, Now that the holidays are behind us, we look back on 2021 as a year that was full of unexpected twists and turns. I was thrilled to have surpassed a 35-year career high with over $200 million in closed sales!

As we head into the new year, we expect home prices to continue to rise.

Couple that with the persistent low inventory, I cannot think of a better time to be a Seller than right now. Our market is on fire and cash sales dominate in both Sarasota and Manatee counties. In this current market of multiple offer deals, selling your home can be a challenge. It is vital to have an experienced real estate professional and a team of experts in your corner to guide you through the process.

3731 INDIAN BEACH PLACE

$6,495,000

Built in 2006 with the exceptionally high standards of Triangle Construction, designed with energy efficient and sustainable materials, this 5BR, lavish bayfront residence is the epitome of luxury waterfront living.

The perfect place to escape, with its enviable central location minutes from downtown, verdant gardens protecting the nearly one-acre of property, extensive updates, and a beautifully elaborate interior that is ready for you to immediately begin enjoying.

If selling your property has ever crossed your mind, NOW IS THE TIME. Call us today to find out how we can help you sell your home for the best price and terms.

Best,

Roger Pettingell, Broker Associate

www.3731IndianBeach.com

15111 GADDY UP RANCH ROAD

$4,895,000

862 GRANDE PASS WAY

$3,100,000

Country breezes rustling through century old oaks and pines welcome you to this unique, 82.5-acre property known as the Gaddy Up Ranch. Located in Sarasota County, nearby to Myakka River State Park, this Gentleman’s Ranch is a quiet, private retreat, while still being close to the cultural lifestyle of Sarasota.

Create your dream beach home at this private, gated enclave on the southern tip of Boca Grande. One of only 19 homesites in the exclusive Hill Tide Estates community, this spectacular parcel boasts more than a quarter-acre of direct beachfront property to make your own.

www.GaddyUpRanchSRQ.com

www.862GrandePassWay.com

1241 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE #805

$1,899,000

3060 GRAND BAY BOULEVARD #112

Sparkling views of Gulf waters that stretch out to the bay and city are the star of the show as soon as you enter this 8th-floor Water Club residence, located on the quiet side of the South Building. Fall immediately in love with this resortstyle community offering first-rate service and amenities. Parking included.

Fall in love with the move-in ready condition of this 3BR, sun drenched getaway.

Offering an open-plan layout adorned with walls of glass sliders that lead out to the spacious wraparound terrace, lovely eat-in kitchen and a private master suite. This resort-style neighborhood includes many first-rate amenities to enjoy.

www.WaterClubSouth805.com

www.GrandBay112.com

4725 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE #208

$650,000

3804 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE #B106

Sand Cay is a lively beach neighborhood situated in a central spot on the midway point of the island of Longboat Key, boasting excellent rental options with the choice to lease weekly (only a few Longboat Key communities offer such convenient leasing opportunities).

This lovely beach-to-bay getaway is conveniently located on the first floor, just a few steps from beautiful Gulf shores. Ready to enjoy as a place to escape or as a rental property to update to your taste, the interior of this 2BR residence with a newer kitchen, plus sliders that open to the private garden patio.

www.SandCay208.com

www.BeachHarborClubB106.com

$1,450,000

$429,000

CALL TODAY FOR YOUR EXCLUSIVE TOUR (941) 387-1840 443 John Ringling Boulevard, Suite F | Sarasota, FL 34236 595 Bay Isles Road , Suite 250 | Longboat Key, FL 34228 Roger@Pettingell.com | Pettingell.com Twitter.com/RealRoger | Instagram.com/RogerPettingell Owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC

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