Longboat Observer 11.25.21

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O Observer

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FREE • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

VOLUME 44, NO. 16

YOUR TOWN

Challenge: Avoided Yearslong trend continues for uncontested Town Commission elections. PAGE 3

Courtesy photo

Migration marvel Longboat Key beachgoers shared the surf with thousands of cownose rays on Nov. 17 as the winged wanderers headed for their winter home. Several people around the island, including Melissa Long, who saw them mid-island, photographed the migration as the fever moved as one.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, cownose rays migrate between Florida and the Yucatan Peninsula twice a year. In the spring, they head to western Florida, but in the fall, they head southwest toward Mexico.

Generally, they’re friendly, so there’s no need to freak out if you find yourself amid a fever.

However, they’re not commonly known as “sting” rays for nothing — they have barbs on their tail to protect themselves.

Chasing excellence Bullock awarded fire department’s top honor.

PAGE 6 Mark Bergin

We want to hear from you Life is full of roses — and thorns — 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 where you can share what’s going great and also what you think is not so great. Want to give someone a shoutout 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.

Firefighter-paramedic Chase Bullock is recognized by Fire Chief Paul Dezzi as the recipient of the fire department’s Firefighter of the Year.

A+E

Mark Bergin

Paul and Sarah Karon plan to donate up to $500,000 to the town of Longboat Key in exchange for the naming rights to the Town Center stage.

Couple’s donation takes center stage Karons have community in mind with pledge. SEE PAGE 5

The oldschool ways.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

Sarasota County dispatchers tour Longboat Key County dispatchers learned the unique parts of Longboat Key for when someone calls 911.

QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS Emergency operations call-takers are trained to be consistent on every call. Through technical means, a caller’s location can be displayed on a map, but calltakers are trained to ask for addresses and nearest cross streets, among other information. The idea behind the questions is to back up the electronic data, which in the case of cellphone data can’t always be pinpointed, and to assure every call is handled with the same level of service. Communications operator Ashley Patrick said callers should know help is on the way in the first few seconds of a call. Help is not being delayed by the requests for more information.

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

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he Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department and the dispatch center for the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office wanted to clear up any confusion.

Longboaters know Greer Island and Beer Can Island are synonymous. They also know La Lenaire Drive is on Jewfish Key, which has eight residential homes but is only accessible by boat.

Emergency calls from all of Longboat, and most of the rest of Sarasota County, are routed to the Sarasota Emergency Operations and 911 Dispatch Center on Porter Road, about 15 miles east of Longboat Key Town Hall. From there, a telecommunicator gathers information on the type of emergency, location and more.

Town police or fire units are then assigned to respond, backed up by responders from other jurisdictions if necessary. Countywide, call-takers can handle as many as 650,000 calls a year, about 10% of which typically come from Longboat Key. On Thursday morning, Fire Chief Paul Dezzi, Assistant Chief Jane Herrin and Fire EMS Liaison and Public Information Officer Tina Adams gave dispatchers a tour of the island, which also included a walk-through of the newly renovated Fire Station 91 at 5490 Gulf of Mexico Drive and the new Fire Station 92 at 2162 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

It’s not the first time dispatchers have visited the island for the purpose of learning more about its roads, landmarks and geography.

And town fire-rescue staff have visited the operations center, too, putting faces to the voices they often connect with via radio.

“Taking calls from members on

Mark Bergin

On Nov. 18, Longboat Key Fire Chief Paul Dezzi (right) gave Sarasota County dispatchers a tour of Fire Station 92.

Longboat Key, now we can kind of like see ‘Oh, this is where they’re talking about. This is the landmark that they’re referencing,’” Sarasota County communications operator Ashley Patrick said.

The Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department had an average response time of four minutes and 49 seconds in October between its two stations, according to Adams.

Adams also provided data that shows the department averaged a five-minute, 32-second response time in the third quarter of 2021 and had an average response time of five minutes and 23 seconds in 2020.

Patrick and Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Michelle DiCapua recommended anyone having to call

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or town’s fire or police department.

“Normally, we have people into the communication center to do a tour,” DiCapua said. “So we’ve had Sarasota Police Department come into the communication center, and we give them a tour around the center. This is how we take calls.”

On Thursday, Dezzi showed dispatchers where the fire rescue department stores its boat at the Habourside docks. The police department also stores one of its boats there. The police’s other boat is stored at the police department at 5460 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

“We can’t get to (Jewfish Key) by truck, so we have to send our boat,” Dezzi said.

In July, the dispatch center began

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911 to describe their surroundings so dispatchers can get first responders to quickly respond.

“It’s such a long street out there, Gulf of Mexico Drive, so try to get a reference point or landmark like, ‘We’re near the Publix’ or ‘We’re near this condo,’” DiCapua said.

“Try to get the cross street if you can or the 100 block that you’re in.”

Knowing the nearest cross street is also helpful.

“Greer Island is definitely one of those,” Patrick said. “(We’ll hear), ‘Oh, here I’m at this location.’ OK, this is a huge area. Where are we?

Describe to me what you see.”

DiCapua and Patrick said it was the first time this particular group of staffers had done a tour with a city

categorizing Greer Island and Jewfish Key into eight different sectors instead of trying to direct officers to individual points in the entire area.

“It’s not frequent-frequent that we get calls out there, but we do get enough that it makes an issue when we’re trying to find out where they are,” Patrick said.

Condominium complexes with multiple buildings also present a challenge.

“Let’s say some complex may have five or six or seven buildings in one address — we’ve got to make sure we’re going to (the right one),” Dezzi said.

Dezzi said the town averages about 1,800 calls to 911 each year. He said the town’s busiest time of the year is from December through March, when snowbird season is underway.

In 2016, the town switched its 911 dispatch service from in-house dispatchers and Manatee County 911 service to Sarasota County’s Emergency Operations Center.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

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IT’S NO CONTEST Challengers to seated Longboat Town commissioners are often hard to come by.

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

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his election season was, like every other since 2018, finished before it began.

Since that March nearly four years ago, when Ed Zunz, Ken Schneier and Irwin Pastor won contested Town Commission races, no one else has needed to mount a campaign, buy an election sign or stand at a podium for a candidate forum.

Elections have been decided before election day in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

The same will be true for 2022.

In the most recent round of filings, incumbents Mike Haycock, BJ Bishop and Maureen Merrigan were declared commissioners-elect when no one else filed by the Nov. 15 deadline.

Still, though, using the town’s citizen survey as a guide, residents seem happy with how things are going.

And the town will save money. Elections can cost the town up to $28,000 to conduct, according to Town Clerk Trish Shinkle.

Haycock, though, said he wishes it were otherwise, but he has no issues with his six co-commissioners, none of whom are paid for their town service.

“I get concerned that no one’s running anymore,” he said. “I wish more people would want to be involved, but we’ve got great commissioners, and I’m thrilled that the two are going to be back serving with me.”

Running a successful campaign in a contested race requires time, effort and money with no guarantee of success, town leaders say. With Longboat Key’s status as a haven for white-collar professionals, retired or otherwise, often the motivation just isn’t there.

“It’s a lot of work being on the commission,” Schneier said. “I think, people who move here, they’re either working, or they’ve worked very hard, and now they’re not working.

“And although they want to do things, they don’t necessarily want to have another full-time job.”

Beyond the twice-monthly commission meetings and monthly workshops, commissioners typically sit on boards beyond town limits, such as those devoted to transportation needs, tourism and business development.

Then there are the ceremonial duties, such as groundbreakings and ribbon-cuttings.

Schneier said former Longboat Key Mayor Terry Gans told him being a commissioner was like a part-time job while being the mayor is like having a full-time job.

“I would corroborate that,” he said.

Gans said contentious topics have faded of late, ones that often drew out those with different takes.

“When I ran, there were some hotbutton issues at the time, and there were different opinions of which direction that the town should go in,” Gans said. “People had specific issues they wanted to pursue.

“You don’t have that same level at the current moment.”

Town Manager Tom Harmer pointed to favorable responses in the annual citizen survey as an indication that change isn’t something that residents are clamoring for.

“The residents will, I think, vote for people that they feel comfortable that are leading them in the right direction as a community,” Harmer said. “Oftentimes when incumbents run and get elected, then that’s just another sign that the general direction of the city or the

PAY TO REPRESENT City of Bradenton: Each city council member is paid a yearly salary of $37,883.

City of Bradenton Beach: Commissioners are paid $400 per month. The mayor is paid $800 per month.

City of Sarasota: City commissioners are paid $28,150 per year.

The city clerks of each respective municipality provided the salary information shown above.

county or the town must be acceptable to those voters.”

Although there hasn’t been a contested election in years, three people filed to fill the vacancy left by former District 5 Commissioner Ed Zunz earlier this year.

In April, commissioners appointed Maureen Merrigan to fill the District 5 seat vacancy over former Commissioner Gene Jaleski and campaign consultant Christopher Carman.

The town does not pay its commissioners, though it suspends meetings from early July until September, a perk not seen in every city or town.

Several other nearby municipalities pay commissioners or similar governing bodies.

For an example, Bradenton Beach pays its commissioners $400 a month, and its elected mayor gets twice that.

Town leaders aren’t so sure a monthly salary equivalent to the price of a top-of-the-line golf driver is the answer.

Gans said he didn’t think paying commissioners would make a difference to encourage more people to run.

“I don’t think you could ever come upon a compensation that would really reflect the time and the thought and the engagement that people serving on the commission put into the job,” Gans said.

Former District 4 Commissioner Jack Daly said he would fly between Florida and Connecticut to make sure he made it back to attend Longboat Key Town Commission meetings while splitting time between two homes.

“I think, perhaps, some modest form of compensation might make a slight difference to candidates, but I don’t think a big difference at all,” Daly said.

Daly suggested the possibility of extending the commission’s summer recess.

“The only downside that I saw, and I really enjoyed my six years as a commissioner, was that the timing of the meetings and particularly the short vacation period here really impinged personally a bit on my situation,” Daly said.

However, Schneier and Gans cautioned against expanding the commission’s recess.

“I don’t think we could afford a longer recess because we come back from now what’s really six or eights weeks, and the pile is high,” Schneier said of the loaded agenda for the first September meeting back.

Gans made clear that it’s only the elected officials who take summer weeks off.

“The commission goes on recess, but if you turn the tap for the water, the water still comes out,” Gans said.

Bishop went a step further.

“If it were up to me, there would not be a summer recess because government doesn’t stop just because a lot of people go north,” Bishop said.

File photos

No one ran against incumbent Commissioners Maureen Merrigan, BJ Bishop and Mike Haycock.

ELECTIONS THROUGH THE YEARS MARCH 2011 n No contested races MARCH 2012 n Incumbent David Brenner defeated challenger Ray Rajewski in District 3.

JULY 2012 n Commissioners appointed Terry Gans to an at-large seat to fill the seat vacated by Hal Lenobel. Several people ran: Gans, Randy Clair, Jack Daly, Len Garner, Gene Jaleski, Ray Rajewski, Mark Wickersham and Woody Wolverton.

Terry Gans

MARCH 2013 n Jack Duncan ran unopposed in District 2. n Jim Brown retained his seat against Larry Grossman in District 4. n Terry Gans retained his at-large seat against Irwin Pastor. n Phill Younger retained his at-large seat against Gene Jaleski.

MARCH 2014 n No contested races MARCH 2015 n Jack Daly defeated Larry Grossman in District 4. n Incumbent Phill Younger retained his at-large seat against Gene Jaleski.

Jack Daly

MARCH 2016 n No contested races MARCH: 2017 n George Spoll ran unopposed in District 2. n Incumbent Jack Daly defeated Larry Grossman in District 4. n Jim Brown defeated Gene Jaleski for an at-large seat.

MARCH 2018 n Randy Clair ran unopposed in District 1. n Ken Schneier defeated John Weber for the open District 3 seat. n Ed Zunz retained his District 5 seat against Randy Langley. n Irwin Pastor defeated Jack Wilson for the open at-large seat.

George Spoll

MARCH 2019 n George Spoll ran unopposed in District 2. n Jack Daly ran unopposed in District 4. n Mike Haycock ran unopposed for at-large seat after Randy Langley dropped out of the race in January.

MARCH 2020 n Sherry Dominick ran unopposed for District 1. n Ken Schneier ran unopposed for District 3. n Ed Zunz ran unopposed for District 5. n BJ Bishop ran unopposed for an at-large seat.

MARCH 2021 n Penny Gold ran unopposed for District 2. n Debra Williams ran unopposed for District 4. n Mike Haycock ran unopposed for an at-large seat.

APRIL 2021 n Commissioners appointed Maureen Merrigan over Gene Jaleski and Christopher Carman to fill the District 5 vacancy left by Ed Zunz.

Ken Schneier

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

Redevelopment formally denied

We are there when you can’t be.

Commission votes end plan to rebuild on Broadway.

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

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ast week, the Longboat Key Town Commission formally presented its order of denial to Cypress Cash’s proposal to build one home on Broadway Street and three others on Longboat Drive North using provision of the town’s Conformance Overlay Redevelopment District.

“The Town Commission found that it was not in the best interest of the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Longboat Key to amend the town’s Comprehensive Plan as requested by the applicant,” the denial states, referring specifically to policies regarding compatibility, neighborhood and town character.

Commissioners voted 7-0 against a land-use change and 7-0 against a zoning change.

“The first order is a legislative denial,” Town Attorney Maggie Mooney said. “We don’t normally necessarily need a written order, but it doesn’t hurt us to have it, and it’s much more vanilla and doesn’t specify all the findings of fact and conclusions of law.”

During the Nov. 1 meeting, commissioners found the developer did not meet three of the Conformance Overlay Redevelopment District review criteria, which are: n Consistency with the intent of the CORD; n Whether the request is compatible with the character of the surrounding area, which is the Longbeach Village neighborhood in this case; and n Whether development is not contrary to the interests of the town and/or does not adversely impact or affect the public interest.

“The reason for the written denials is because for rezoning requests, which is your second denial, it requires by Florida law that we have a written order of denial with specificity stating the facts in the law that

File photo

justify the basis,” Mooney said. “The first order of denial on the comprehensive plan is a precursor to the second, which is required by the way in which they applied for this particular rezoning application.”

Cypress Cash has 30 days to appeal in circuit court. Last week, attorney Richard Lawrence of SRQ Property Law wrote in an email to the Longboat Observer that he did not have any comments on what his client planned to do.

Lawrence and attorney Robert Lincoln did not attend the special meeting held by the Town Commission.

“We do not know whether or not this will be appealed,” Mooney told commissioners. “If it is appealed, it could conceivably come back to you in some form.”

Many Longbeach Village residents told the commissioners earlier this month that they did not want to see Cypress Cash’s plan approved with four homes but were amenable to a smaller-scale project.

Manatee County property records show 551 Broadway St. was built in 1946, with a renovation in 1981. It was initially called Lerfald Landing.

Including the two Longboat Drive North addresses, the property is about 0.45 acres.

Longboat Key’s CORD process, approved in 2019, provides a way for owners of properties that no longer conform to town planning standards to rebuild in a way that meets modern-day market expectations.

Although 551 Broadway St. has paid utility bills in 2021, water usage rates show July 2018 was the last time anyone lived in one of the six apartments.

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TOP OF THE LIST

Here are some of Sarah and Paul Karon’s favorites:

BOOK n Sarah: “Cloud Atlas” by David Mitchell n Paul: “The Bonfire of the Vanities” by Tom Wolfe MOVIE n Sarah: “Thelma & Louise” n Paul: “Best in Show” MUSICIAN n Sarah: Steely Dan n Paul: Wilco RESTAURANT n Sarah: Harry’s Continental Kitchens n Paul: Sarasota Yacht Club and Euphemia Haye Mark Bergin

Sarah and Paul Karon plan to donate up to $500,000 to the town of Longboat Key in exchange for the naming rights to the Town Center stage.

For the Karons, Town Center pledge is all about community Sarah and Paul Karon plan to donate $500,000 in exchange for the naming rights to the Town Center stage.

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

W

hen Longboat Key leaders approached Sarah and Paul Karon to ask the philanthropic couple about naming rights for the proposed Town Center stage earlier this year, the topic immediately whisked the couple back to Lake Harriet Bandshell Park in Minneapolis.

“I thought about our bandshell because we lived in our same neighborhood for 25 years, and through

the years, we had bike-a-thons, concerts and other events,” Sarah said.

“It’s like an epicenter.”

So it wasn’t just some ordinary conversation about a run-of-themill government project when Paul, 59, first chatted with Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier.

“It really resonated with us about how much joy that pavilion gave our family and our neighborhood,” he said.

On Nov. 15, Town Manager Tom Harmer announced the Karons planned to donate up to $500,000 for the project. In exchange, the couple would like to name the structure The Karon Family Pavilion. Town commissioners are expected to vote on the agreement Dec. 6.

“Everyone gives, and everyone chooses the places they want to give their talents and their time and their treasure,” Sarah said.

It would be the largest single philanthropic contribution for the couple, who also contributed to the Veterans Resource Center at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the Youth Facility at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation in Minnesota.

The couple moved in 2009 to Longboat Key before calling the island their full-time home in 2014.

Sarah, 58, told her husband after moving that she wanted to make more of an effort to give locally.

Before retiring in his late 40s, Paul served as chair and CEO of Benfield Group, which was sold to Chicagobased Aon Corp. for a reported $1.43 billion in 2008. He considers himself retired but does some insurance business on the side and is chair of Fort Lauderdale-based company Boatsetter. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees at the Univer-

TV SHOW n Sarah: “Arrested Development” n Paul: “Curb Your Enthusiasm”

sity of St. Thomas, his alma mater.

Sarah graduated from University of Iowa and launched her newspaper career at a daily in Wheaton, Illinois. She moved to Minnesota while working for Crain Communications and then Business Weekly.

Once the couple had their first child, Sarah stopped working. Soon after, she needed to find something to do. They have two daughters now.

“That’s why I started getting involved with nonprofit fundraising, and I have raised money for a lot of good causes,” she said.

Her work includes fundraising, grant-making and philanthropy for various Minnesota organizations. She is also vice president of the Library Foundation for Sarasota County.

“We believe in community,” Sarah said. “We have thrived in wonderful communities our whole life together.”

It’s the reason the Karons moved to Longboat Key. “We have met so many wonderful people here, and everyone cares about this place,” Sarah said. “And

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

now the town has created a vision to give us all kind of a center point on our compass where we can gather together, where we experience programs and happenings and family times and friendship times.”

Longboat Key leaders have discussed for years how to fund a town center and what exactly it would entail.

The couple met multiple times with town leaders, which included Schneier, Harmer and Longboat Key Foundation President and former Mayor Jim Brown. Paul Karon said it was a delight to work with them.

“They have been so professional and pragmatic and easy to work with and doing everything they could to get to ‘yes,’ which is not normal government,” Paul said. “It is not normal government.

“You can’t imagine (it) in Cook County, (Illinois). This would never happen.”

The plan is to build a 50-foot-wide permanent stage between the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center and the Shoppes of Bay Isles. The town has several events planned at the site, which are set to begin at the end of the month and will operate around the construction. The new stage could be ready in time for next year’s snowbird season if all goes according to plan.

“It just fits with who we are,” Sarah said. “It fits with how our life has been enriched by community, and we just are excited to be doing it.”

The Karons are hopeful others are inspired by their contribution to the town.

“Part of the town vision for this site is that placing the pavilion and beginning the life of the park is going to spur other donors to come forward for the future projects,” Sarah said. “The sooner people decide that they want to invest in something like that on behalf of our community, the sooner we’re going to have even more abilities to enjoy that spot together.”

Although it would take time, it includes the possibility of finally getting a county-operated library and replacing the Recreation Center at Bayfront Park.

“We really do try and go to help people that need help and provide things to people that might not always have them,” Paul said.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021 ADVERTORIAL

Mark Bergin

Bullock earns firefighter of the year title

COLD TURKEY Tips for Keeping Your Home Cool During Thanksgiving.

That was fast.

First up … Thanksgiving! While the list of things to set, mash and cook may be checked, if you’re hosting guests this turkey day here in Florida, there are some steps you’ll want to take to ensure everyone is comfortable while filling up with all the fixings.

Change it.

It is always important to change your cooling system’s air filter.

If you have not replaced it recently, do so prior to turkey time to ensure your guests are receiving quality air and your system works efficiently.

Exhaust it.

All that turkey day cooking is sure to heat up your home – you need to let some of this hot air out before it spreads throughout the home. Be sure to turn the exhaust fan on, since that will help get rid of that classic stovetop heat and steam, making way for the cool air of your A/C. Don’t blast it.

On its own, having a big group of people in your home can

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

Longboat Key Fire Chief Paul Dezzi spent the morning of Nov. 17 recognizing the efforts of members of his department at the third annual Fire Rescue award ceremony.

Firefighter-paramedic Chase Bullock said he was “stunned” to have won the department’s Employee of the Year award.

“It felt amazing,” Bullock said.

“You don’t want to hope for something as significant as firefighter

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Longboat Key Fire Rescue firefighterparamedics gather around Chase Bullock, who won the department’s Employee of the Year award.

of the year because then you get let down when you don’t get it, and this was a total blindside, and I didn’t see it coming at all.

“It was just an incredible feeling.”

Bullock has spent nearly five years with the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department. Dezzi explained part of the reason Bullock got honored.

“Chase was watching the news, and he noticed that there was a woman that was missing out of Manatee County, and because of his awareness, he went ahead and made notification to the police department, and the police department went out and were able to get this woman back to her home,” Dezzi said.

Bullock said he helped find the missing woman in June. He is also in the process of getting his prerequisites to become a psychiatric nurse.

“I felt terrible because then I

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make temps rise. Add in that hot oven and cooktop, and your place can get pretty toasty. Blasting your A/C to quickly cool the situation could cause your system to give out – making things even worse. A few hours before your guests arrive, drop the temperature down 2 to 3 degrees more than normal. When your guests fill your home, it will be a comfortable temperature and the heat from cooking won’t be as noticeable.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

PINNING CEREMONY: Employees take an oath and receive their badge: n John Elwood, training captain n Tanner Broxson, firefighterparamedic Five years of service: n Josh Falcon n Missina Cutting n William Lewis n Richard Roome n Ron Franklin

Restoring Brain Health

10 years of service n Lt. Daniel Heath 15 years of service n Denny Bickel 20 years of service n Deputy Chief Sandi Drake

The Alzheimer’s Disease and Cognitive Decline Masterclass

Quality assurance/quality improvement team members: n Brian Kolesa n Tirso Guerrero n Jeff Bullock n Dawn Dunkum n Jay Gosnell n Ron Koper

Wednesday, December 1st at 1PM

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Wellness initiative: n Jason Berzowski n Deputy Chief Sandi Drake

What exactly will be covered at this Event?

Winners of the wellness challenge: n Chase Bullock n Missina Cutting Beautification of fire stations: n Frank Scrivani, Public Works Department equipment operator

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thought she must be scared,” Bullock said. “We ended up going to a call where they said there was a suspicious person. And the people there were annoyed. They were like: ‘She’s drunk. Get her out of here.’

“They wanted the cops involved and everything. I’m looking at her.

I’m like, ‘She doesn’t look drunk.’ I could tell she had the symptoms or the signs of anxiety and stuff. … I looked at her, and I’m like, ‘I know this lady from somewhere,’ and it clicked. And then we called the cops, and they found out it was the missing lady.”

In the course of the past year or so, Bullock said he has lost 50 pounds and 10% body fat as part of the department’s fitness challenge.

“I just never thought I was going to be the guy that was holding people back,” Bullock said. “I wanted to be the guy that carried people out, so that motivated me to lose the weight and get in shape.”

Bullock also became a boat captain by attending sea school.

In September, Bullock helped rescue a sea turtle subsequently named Pepper. Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium doctors helped rehabilitate and release Pepper.

On Wednesday, Dezzi also recognized Town Project Manager Charlie Mopps with the Chief’s Award.

Mopps was responsible for helping oversee the rebuilding of Fire Station 92 at 2162 Gulf of Mexico Drive and the renovation of Fire Station 91 at 5490 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Combined, the construction costs exceeded $5 million.

“Working for the chief, it’s more of a friendship,” Mopps said. “I didn’t need this because the fact that they’re in a better facility is what I’m here for, and that is reward enough.”

The fire rescue department faced the challenge of juggling the improvements to both stations simultaneously while they were also still operating. On the south end, firefighters used a temporary trailer from June 2020 to August 2021, when the new station opened.

“Charlie is one of those guys that he is all over the place in this town,” Dezzi said. “With the fire stations, I could not have asked for a better person to work with on this. Really, I’m serious.”

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

OPINION / OUR VIEW

LONGBOAT

THE BEDROCK OF AMERICA Thanksgiving is much more than remembering the Pilgrims’ and Native Americans’ first feast and being thankful for what we have. It reminds us why the Pilgrims came to America: for the freedom to worship.

What drove the Pilgrims to America

MATT WALSH

Editor’s note: These two editorials originally appeared Nov. 23, 2017.

K

irsten Hazelton, a second grade teacher at Southside Elementary School in Sarasota, gave her students an assignment for Veterans Day. One of those students, Rhys Parry, 7, wrote a letter to his uncle, a captain in the Marine Corps Raiders, its special forces division.

Parry thanked his uncle for serving. And by way of every child’s uncanny ability to state simple, direct truths and profound common sense, young Parry wrote: “Freedom is the best thing in the world.”

If only every American took that to heart. Especially today. What a tragedy that so many don’t appreciate that truth. They take their freedom for granted, oblivious to this extraordinary gift.

So be thankful today. Block out the noise, the national politics, the cultural strife and the depravity that has consumed us. As you gather with family and friends for your traditional Thanksgiving feast, we take this space this week to urge our readers to take stock, at least for a few minutes.

If you think deeply enough about the meaning of Thanksgiving, there is so much more to this day than being thankful for the bounty on our tables. So much more to Thanksgiving than the story of the Plymouth Colony Pilgrims celebrating the harvest with the Wampanoag Native Americans in 1621, or thanking God for the end of the drought in 1622.

To a great extent, the first Thanksgivings were the celebratory culminations of the miraculous journey of a small band of Europeans in search of a place to be free — to escape persecution and be free to practice their religion and their way of life.

That was their raison d’être — freedom of religion. And today, you can say that principle is the fundamental rock, the bedrock, the perpetual birthstone of America.

And yet, here we are, 400 years later, continuing to fight for that right and principle. And if you think about that, consider also what it will require to preserve that right — and the other rights granted to us in the Constitution.

Take inspiration from the courage of the Pilgrims and how they persevered through the long, harrowing journey from England to Holland to Plymouth Rock. Freedom will always be a difficult journey.

We’ve made a tradition each year of retelling the story and roots of Thanksgiving because the story of the Pilgrims helps reset our compass. It reminds us how we came to be — the New Hope in the New World. It reminds us of why we came to be. It reminds us of the price our ancestors paid to be free and to be free to worship as they wished. It reminds us to be thankful for all the blessings we have. And it reminds us that Rhys Parry is right: “Freedom is the best thing in the world.”

Happy Thanksgiving.

The roots of Thanksgiving Day go far deeper than the story of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony in 1621. Yes, they were thankful to God for their bountiful harvest and their newfound Native American friends.

But if you can imagine yourself in the shoes of any of the original 102 Pilgrims who sailed from Leiden, Holland, for America, a land unknown, and who survived that tumultuous journey, followed by two years of near starvation, your gratitude simply for being alive would put a whole new perspective on Thanksgiving. It was far more than being thankful for a big fall harvest and feast.

Seldom, if ever, do we focus in our history texts on the details that compelled the Pilgrims — also known as separatists, Puritans and Calvinists — to set sail. The textbooks typically mention they fled religious persecution. But especially today, in this world of widespread and horrific religious persecutions, it’s instructive to remember the details of why the Pilgrims mustered the courage to cross the Unknown Ocean for freedom: for religious freedom.

In his 500-page account of Plymouth Plantation, Gov. William Bradford wrote how his fellow Calvinists in England became “hunted and persecuted on every side, so as their former afflictions were but as flea-bitings in comparison of these which now came upon them.

“For some were taken and clapped up in prison; others had their houses beset and watched night and day, and hardly escaped their hands; and most were fain to flee and leave their houses and habitations, and the means of their livelihood,” Bradford wrote.

After a year of this and meeting in secret to practice their worship of God, they saw “they could no longer continue in this condition,” and “resolved to get over into Holland.”

The people of Amsterdam, they had heard, accepted the free practice of religion.

MISERY WORSE THAN DEATH

But sailing 200 miles to the Netherlands was no small matter. It was a monumental ordeal. Bradford describes the fear many of the separatists had of leaving England, as bad as it was, as “a misery worse than death.”

“But these things did not dismay them — for their desires were set on the ways of God and to enjoy his

“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.”

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 President and Publisher / Emily Walsh EWalsh@YourObserver.com Executive Editor and COO / Kat Hughes KHughes@YourObserver.com Managing Editor / Eric Garwood EGarwood@YourObserver.com Staff Writers / Mark Bergin, MBergin@ YourObserver.com; Nat Kaemmerer, NKaemmerer@YourObserver.com Copy Editor / Kaelyn Adix, KAdix@ YourObserver.com Editorial Designers / Melissa Leduc, MLeduc@YourObserver.com; José Valle, JValle@YourObserver.com Black Tie Editor / Harry Sayer, HSayer@ YourObserver.com

British artist Bernard Gribble’s painting of the Pilgrims boarding the Mayflower

ordinances,” Bradford wrote.

The trip to Holland was horrible for many. Chartered ship operators, once at sea with the separatists, robbed them, ransacked their belongings, molested many of the women and then sailed back into the original port and turned over the separatists to local authorities, who then imprisoned them.

Amazingly, the separatists didn’t give up. “Some few shrunk at these first conflicts and sharp beginnings,” Bradford wrote, “yet many more came on with fresh courage and greatly animated others. And in the end, notwithstanding all these storms of opposition, they all got over at length.”

For 12 years, the Calvinist-separatist-Pilgrims lived and practiced their religion in freedom and peace in Leiden, an area within Holland where many of them became weavers.

And then the trouble began again.

Bradford wrote of “Arminians, who greatly molested the whole state” and university professors and other preachers who began to slander the Pilgrims’ religious practices.

The tormenting rose to such a level that Bradford said some of his neighbors preferred being in prison in England than “this liberty in Holland, with these afflictions.”

Distressed by the increasing abuse, the separatists’ elders began to look ahead. They believed within a few years they “were fearful either to be entrapped or surrounded by their enemies” and unable to flee.

What’s more, they worried about their children. It was common for

children to labor long hours in the mills, “their bodies bowed under the weight.” Many children also were falling to the temptations of youthful “licentiousness” and being drawn into “extravagant and dangerous courses,” Bradford wrote. Parents saw “their posterity would be in danger to degenerate and be corrupted.”

At the same time, many of the separatists looked outward and spoke among their neighbors of “advancing the gospel of the kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of the world,” Bradford wrote.

DIFFICULT, BUT NOT INVINCIBLE

All three of these influences — persecution, the well-being of their families’ future generations and spreading God’s word — combined to motivate the Pilgrims to seek a new beginning. As they discussed their options, Bradford wrote, “It was answered. … The difficulties were many, but not invincible.”

So they set sail to a land unknown. Bradford wrote of “winds so fierce and the seas so high” and the Mayflower “shroudly shaken” and leaky, raising the constant fear the ship would sink and that they would perish at sea.

When they finally stepped on land in the Cape Cod harbor, Bradford wrote, the Pilgrims “fell upon their knees and blessed the God of heaven, who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean and delivered them from all the perils and miseries thereof.”

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Wisdom on liberty, then and now “Someone once said: It isn’t that Christianity has been tried and found wanting; it has been tried and found difficult — and abandoned.

“Perhaps the same running away from righteousness is responsible for freedom’s plight for, plainly, the American people are becoming more and more afraid of and are running away from — abandoning — their very own freedom revolution.”

— Leonard Read “Anything That’s Peaceful” 1964

“The right to life is the source of all rights — and the right to property is their only implementation. Without property rights, no other rights are possible.

“Since man has to sustain his life by his own effort, the man who has no right to the product of his effort has no means to sustain his life. The man who produces while others dispose of his product is a slave.”

— Ayn Rand “Man’s Rights,” 1964

“The United States is the highest achievement of the millennia of Western civilization’s struggle toward individualism and its last, precarious remnant.

“With the obliteration of the United States — i.e. of capitalism — there will be nothing left to deal with on the face of the globe but collectivized tribes.”

— Ayn Rand “Requiem for Man,” 1967

“The reduction of the citizen to an object of propaganda, private and public, is one of the greatest dangers to democracy.

“The reiteration of slogans, the distortion of the news, the great storm of propaganda that beats upon the citizen 24 hours a day all his life long mean either that democracy must fall prey to the loudest and most persistent propagandists or that the people must save themselves by strengthening their minds so that they can appraise the issues for themselves.”

— Robert M. Hutchins “The Great Conversation,” 1951

“Equality before the law and material equality are therefore not only different but are in conflict with each other; we can achieve either the one or the other, but not both at the same time.

“The equality before the law that freedom requires leads to material inequality. Though where the state must use coercion for other reasons, it should treat all people alike.

The desire of making people more alike in their condition cannot be accepted in a free society as justification for further and discriminatory coercion.”

— Friedrich Hayek “Constitution of Liberty, 1960 “Socialism will reduce your freedom. Higher taxes mean that you have less control over your spending. “… Free markets are the source of most of our freedom; government generally restricts freedom, and socialism increases the power of government.

“Finally, whenever socialism has been tried, it has failed.”

— Paul H. Rubin “A Student’s Guide to Socialism; How It Will Trash Your Lives,” 2021

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

9

EYE ON BUSINESS

Susan Udermann, an esthetician at Symphony Massage

Symphony Massage, chamber conduct ribbon-cutting Longboat business leaders take opportunity to welcome spa business that opened just before the COVID-19 pandemic.

IF YOU GO

SYMPHONY MASSAGE When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday through Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday Where: Second floor of the Harbour Square complex, 4134 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 204 Prices: Massages start at $50 for 30 minutes, $90 for 60 minutes and $120 for 90 minutes. Cupping starts at $50 for 30 minutes.

Info: Call 524-9700, or visit SymphonyMassage.com.

NAT KAEMMERER STAFF WRITER

A

symphony of self-care services has been available in Harbour Square for more than a year, but Symphony Massage was officially welcomed to the community with a celebratory ribbon-cutting Nov. 16, thanks to the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce.

Symphony Massage is already part of the Chamber of Commerce, so chamber President Gail Loefgren was in attendance to host the ceremony, along with ribbon-holders and chamber ambassadors Kellie Spring and Jack Dean. Mayor Ken Schneier came too, but it was Owner James Graves’ daughter, Brianna

Graves, who did the honors with the giant scissors.

Owner Chrissy Stites and Graves moved to the Sarasota area in 2018 and saw an opportunity to open Symphony Massage in December 2019.

Stites has been a massage therapist for 21 years and worked at a wellness center in New Jersey for 13 years. Her

Photos by Nat Kaemmerer

team, consisting of esthetician Susan Udermann and massage therapists Cynthia Krizo and Tammie Friday, also has a lot of experience.

Stites and Graves opened Feb. 19, 2020. They then shut their doors March 1 because of the growing COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, they’ve been able to interact with the community and build a base of clients once able to reopen.

“We went through the pandemic, survived and came out the other side stronger,” Stites said.

Although it’s called Symphony Massage, there’s more on offer than just massages. Udermann offers facials and facial waxing. Stites, who has allergies to ingredients often used in skincare, picked the gentle Phytomer line, which she can use without issue and hopes will be easy on clients’ faces, too. As for massage, Stites herself is trained in several forms, as well as in cupping therapy and lymphatic drainage. Friday offers sports, prenatal and clinical massages, and Krizo offers thera-

peutic massages. There are also Thai massages available.

“What we want to be known for is the ability to give the community something different, something they haven’t had before, to make them feel better,” Stites said. “We know we have an active community out here. We want this to be a comfortable space for them.”

Stites is devoted to making Symphony Massage a place of the community. Local art is on the walls, there are shark teeth found nearby local beaches, Longboat Key photographer Mary Lou Johnson was at the ribbon-cutting signing books, and the retail that Stites carries is by her friends — malas and bracelets by sisters she knew in high school and sunglasses by a friend from the 2000s.

“We really hope to be able to grow bigger and be a long-standing part of the community,” Stites said. “I finally feel like I’m home.”

Kellie Spring, Brianna Graves, James Graves, Chrissy Stites, Susan Udermann, Mayor Ken Schneier and Jack Dean make it official with the ribboncutting.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

FRIDAY, NOV. 12

NONE SHALL PASS (WELL, YOU’RE OK) 9:46 a.m., 1900 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen dispute: A difference of opinion at a gated community’s guard house prompted a call to police. Once officers arrived, they determined the issue had been prompted by a property owner within the community who forgot to alert the gatekeeper that a visitor was expected that day. The issue was resolved by the homeowner, and officers were not required to pursue further investigation.

SATURDAY, NOV. 13

NO GO, THEN TOW 5:06 p.m., 2500 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen assist: A disabled car that could not be shifted into neutral prompted a call to police and, eventually, a towing service.

Police received the call about the

home. An officer responding to a civil disturbance was told a tenant was moving in without community committee approval. The tenant, who had not yet unpacked, said his real estate agent had handled the transaction and that he was not aware of the details. The owner of the property said the agent had not followed the proper steps. The would-be tenant gave the keys back to the owner.

FRIDAY, NOV. 12

YOUR PAPERS, PLEASE 8:59 a.m., 6800 block of Hughes Street Noise: A resident called police regarding noise from a nearby property under a no-work order.

An officer arrived and spoke to the property owner, who said his building contractor had all the required paperwork to begin a renovation project, that he had been in contact with the town’s Code Enforcement Office and that any outstanding issues should be resolved later in the day. The officer, who reported construction was not proceeding in his presence, reported back to the resident on his findings.

A CLEAN OUTCOME 8:30 p.m., 1100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Fire assist: Police and fire-rescue personnel responded to a residence in which a person was accidentally trapped in a shower enclosure. The trapped individual was rescued with no injuries.

BACK HOME 1:39 p.m., 6600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Animal call: An officer received word of a dog on the loose in a neighborhood. After a short period of looking with the owner calling the dog’s name, the pet returned home.

car and learned not only would it not start but that electrical issues apparently were also preventing the transmission to be shifted into neutral to push it out of the way.

An officer stayed at the scene with his vehicle’s emergency lights activated until the tow truck arrived.

SUNDAY, NOV. 14

JUST LEAVING 7:43 a.m., 6800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Noise: A contractor loading a small earthmover on a trailer created enough noise on a Sunday morning to prompt a call to police. The worker was advised of town regulations on work-related noise.

MONDAY, NOV. 15

KEEP IT CLEAN 8:22 p.m., 1600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Traffic hazard: Police investigating a report of a traffic hazard found a small piece of plastic in the turn lane. The officer retrieved the detritus and placed it in his patrol vehicle for disposal later.

GATED, NO LONGER 5:51 p.m., 1000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Traffic hazard: A pair of officers notified security staffers of a gated community that they had found the remains of their gate arm on the travel lanes of a nearby road.

The officers removed the hazard from the pavement.

Christmas in the Garden,

TUESDAY, NOV. 16

CRIKEY! 8:20 p.m., 4200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Animal complaint: A pair of police officers were able to coax a 3-footlong black and orange snake from a resident’s closet and out the front door of her home. The reptile was last seen disappearing into a bush unharmed.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 17

FLORIDIAN, NO LONGER 8:56 p.m., 0 block of Twin Shores Boulevard Citizen dispute: A dispute involving a new tenant and a community’s approval process for renters resulted in a man from out of state telling police he was heading back

NOISE, NO LONGER 5:12 p.m., 4700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Noise: Officers were sent to the area of a construction project to investigate a report of work noise beyond the time frame allowed by town regulations. Officers arrived and had the work shut down per town regulations.

THURSDAY, NOV. 18

STOLEN, NO LONGER 3:56 p.m., 2500 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen assist: Police were called to a resort after a report of a stolen vehicle. Once an officer arrived, he learned from the person who called that the car originally thought to have been stolen was actually being used by a member of a party staying at the resort. The caller wished to cancel the report.

YOU ARE INVITED TO

A CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS & MUSIC

Boris & Sax Saxophone Soloist Capella Choir Sarasota Academy of the Arts John Patti An Island Christmas Peter Simms & Jane Hoffman Guitar & Flute Christmas Caroling Led by Charlie Shook, Pastor Emeritus Dinah Piotrowski & James Scherz Violin & Accordion Duo

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.

5608 MARINA DR., HOLMES BEACH, 34217

367796-1

Every evening from November 28th through January 2nd at dusk until 9:00 pm, the lush and peaceful Friendship Garden at the Longboat Island Chapel will be enhanced with holiday music, lighting, and decorated Christmas trees donated by community organizations, businesses, and friends. On selected evenings, come celebrate the holidays with special musical presentations, refreshments, and treats for the children with performances beginning at 6:00 pm.

(NEXT TO DOMINOS PIZZA) 941-896-7898 • GROOMSAUTO.COM

Invest in the beauty and comfort of home this holiday season with Hunter Douglas shades.

November 30th December 6th December 12th December 15th December 20th

Alustra® Silhouette® Powerview® Brio Fabric Shadings

December 22

nd

ADMISSION IS FREE Just bring your holiday spirit and celebrate the season with us!

Stan Writesel & Baylee

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SILVERBERG SILVERBERG SILVERBERG Luxury Property Realtor Luxury Property Realtor

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Longboat KeyKey • Key Lido Key Longboat • Lido KeyKey Longboat • Lido St. Armands • Siesta KeyKey St. Armands • Siesta St. Armands • Siesta Key Lakewood Ranch Lakewood Ranch Lakewood Ranch of Trail of Trail WestWest ofWest Trail Downtown Sarasota Downtown Sarasota Downtown Sarasota t em te o tdoa dy a y C o Cn ot an ct ta cm

91 9- e939-t 3o -6d39a65y9 5 C o n t 9a 4c 91t 4- m

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Alan Gravley & Beau

SEPT 11 - DEC 6, 2021

Beginning to End Interiors & Blinds 941.924.4481 | www.B2END.com | 4453 Ashton Road, Unit C Sarasota, FL 34233

•Interested in moving to a No one will work •Interested in moving to a condo downtown?

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•Purchasing a home on the harder harder •Purchasing a home onon thethe •Purchasing a home water? to findtheyou the water? water? to find you •Perhaps a home in a golf to find you the •Perhaps a home in a golf •Perhaps a home in a golf perfect home perfect home perfect home course community? course community? course community?

Let mememe help you your Let help youexplore explore youroptions options Let help you explore your options and with your and with yoursearch. search. and with your search.

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Broker Associate - Premier Sotheby’s International Realty

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

11

Health Insurance Marketplace

Open Enrollment

Who is Eligible?

Anyone who does not have health insurance through a job, Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or another source that provides qualifying health coverage, can access the Marketplace to get coverage.

How much does it cost?

What you pay for coverage depends on your expected household income for the year. You may qualify for a premium tax credit that lowers your monthly insurance bill, and for extra savings on out-of-pocket costs like deductibles and copayments.

When is Open Enrollment?

Open Enrollment for Health Insurance Marketplace plans runs from Nov. 1, 2021 through Jan. 15, 2022.

During that time, individuals can enroll in new healthcare plans or make changes to their current coverage.

The best way to ensure you have a 2022 plan that works for you, and includes all applicable savings, is to enroll or update your application by Dec. 15.

Enrollment or changes completed by Dec. 15 will go into effect Jan. 1, 2022.

The final deadline for 2022 coverage is Jan. 15, 2022.

WHICH PLANS ARE CONTRACTED WITH BOTH SARASOTA MEMORIAL AND FIRST PHYSICIANS GROUP? Sarasota Memorial, its urgent care and outpatient centers, and all of the First Physicians Group practices accept the following 2022 Health Insurance Marketplace Plans:



Aetna



Bright HealthCare



Florida Blue



Oscar Health

(including BlueSelect, myBlue, BlueCare and BlueOptions)

Note: Sarasota Memorial and FPG do not accept plans deemed short term or limited benefit, nor do we accept health sharing ministries or other health sharing arrangements.

Need Additional Help?

Covering Florida, an organization based at the University of South Florida, offers trained and certified Navigators to help consumers review the basics of health insurance, to explain federal subsidies for premiums and cost sharing, and to provide assistance in completing the online application. Services are offered at no charge to Florida consumers as the program is funded by a federal grant. Call 877-813-9115 or go to www.coveringflorida.org.

Healthcare.gov To Enroll or for More Information on the Health Insurance Marketplace can be found at www.healthcare.gov or by calling 1-800-318-2596. Representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except holidays).

TTY access: 1-855-889-4325.

For additional information about insurance plans accepted by Sarasota Memorial, go to www.smh.com/insurances.

This information is not a solicitation and is not intended to persuade you to make any changes to your relationship with any health insurer under which you are currently enrolled. As SMH and FPG continue their tradition of excellence in caring for our community, we wanted to provide you the opportunity to make informed decisions about your health and well-being without influence, and that is why we are providing this.

368221-1

For more information about insurance plans accepted by First Physicians Group, go to www.firstphysiciansgroup.com/insurance.

12

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

368976-1

Bring a new unwrapped toy

by Dec. 10 and receive $50 OFF Four Toyo Tires.

THEY’RE BACK...

Tina of Tina’s & Manny the Barber NOW AT DESIGN 2000 Please call for an appointment:

368984-1

941-387-9807

WHITNEY BEACH PLAZA • 6840 GULF OF MEXICO DR. • LONGBOAT KEY More than 80 people came to the reception.

INDOOR / OUTDOOR DINING - TAKE-OUT - DELIVERY

Italian Tradition on a Plate

(941) 383 6262 OPEN Mon - Sat 5pm - 9pm

(941) 822 0380 OPEN Mon - Sat 3pm - 8pm

Available for catering, weddings and private events Gluten-Free options

TAKE-OUT, DELI & CORNER STORE Pizza Sandwiches Fresh Pasta and much more...

LIVE MUSIC NIGHT: Mon. & Thurs.

6pm to 9pm

Above: Mayor Ken Schneier welcomes attendees and acknowledges the artists.

Right: Kim Roberts and Cyndi Seamon

5370 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE • 104/105 LONGBOAT KEY - FL-34228 WWW.LANORMARESTAURANT.COM • FACEBOOK: @LANORMAFLORIDA 367782-1

DELIVERY AVAILABLE NOW!

Harry's Restaurant Gift Certificates Available

- Holiday Reservations Suggested

Proceeds benefiting:

Make Your Reservations Here

SECOND PRIZE UNIVERSAL ORLANDO VIP EXPERIENCE

Harry's Gourmet Deli

Includes a two-night, three-day stay for four at one of the four Universal Orlando Resort on-site hotels in addition to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure Theme Parks passes (featuring the new Harry Potter attractions!) plus Back Door Passes to all the rides and attractions.

11 AM-7PM Take-out/Curbside Pickup

- Christmas Dinner To Go Ham or Turkey - New Years Eve Dinner To Go Three Course Dinner for Two - 20% Off Retail Wine Wed. & Thurs.

*Valued at $3500

THIRD PRIZE FLORIDA BEACH GETAWAY

Harry's Catering

Win a three-day, two-night stay for two at the brand new Opal Grand Oceanfront Resort & Spa in beautiful Delray Beach, FL courtesy of Ocean Properties Luxury Florida.

- For All Occasions - Booking Holiday Parties - Party Platters Available 5 6 0 0

*Valued at $3000

G U L F

O F

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M E X I C O

D R I V E • 9 4 1 - 3 8 3 - 0 7 7 7

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Open 9AM - 9PM

A Longboat Key Landmark

Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Happy Hour, Dinner

FOURTH PRIZE A YEAR OF DELICIOUS DINING

Win 52 gift cards from Sarasota and Manatee County’s finest restaurants and markets!

A gift card for every week of the year, but how you use them is up to you!

Sarasota’s Best Voted One of

*Valued at $2600

28 Years in a Row!

FIFTH PRIZE LOBSTER LOVE

BLINDS•SHUTTERS DRAPERIES•WALLCOVERINGS

Includes a four-course dinner for twelve in the Lazy Lobster of Longboat’s private dining room with a menu featuring live Maine lobster, wine and spirits. *Valued at $1200 **Some black out dates and restrictions apply.

941-925-7800 mmwallcoveringsblinds.com

Buy a raffle ticket(s). The first $20,000 in net raffle sales will be matched by the Doris M. Carter Family Foundation!

Purchase yours at LBKLawnParty.org, Lazy Lobster & Sun Trust on Longboat Key. VISIT LBKLAWNPARTY.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE EVENT!

Wallcoverings & Blinds, Inc. Since 1989

Janet and Curt Mattson Owners

4801 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota Across from The Landings 368998-1

CAN'T ATTEND THE EVENT? You can still help! How?

367601-1

$50 PER RAFFLE TICKET OR 5 FOR $200!

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

13

Stacey Maloney Attorney at Law, M.B.A.

FREE CONSULTATION

Photos by Nat Kaemmerer

SWIMWEAR | RESORT WEAR | ACCESSORIES

Every artist but one was in attendance.

Better late than never for Town Hall art exhibit “B

10

% OFF

NINE FOR THE SHOW

when you spend $100 or more.

There were about two dozen pieces of art on display in the exhibit from nine artists.

During Black Friday

n Patrick Bogert n Sandy Bogert n Virginia Lipton n Barbara Jendrysik n Fernando Madridejos n Pat Lundy n Lynn Armstrong Coffin n Michael Tendall n Marlene Lawrence

only. Does not include hard goods. Cannot be combined with any other coupon or promo.

took time to recognize the artists and the history of the Town Hall exhibit, which is organized and curated by Assistant to Town Manager Susan Phillips.

Over the years, there have been 70 exhibits in Town Hall that have featured 104 local artists. Jendrysik has had a display in every exhibit.

www.SwimCity.com

—NAT KAEMMERER

SIESTA KEY

1960 Stickney Pt Rd 941.922.4545

DOWNTOWN

50 N Tamiami Trl 941.954.8800

LONGBOAT

3170 Gulf of Mexico Dr 941.383.2288 358647-1

etter late than never” was the refrain at the fifth annual Town Hall Artists Reception. The reception, which featured nine Longboat Key artists in Longboat Key’s Town Hall, took place Nov. 18.

Technically, it was a reschedule. The reception was originally planned for midMarch 2020.

“I can’t believe we’ve had these paintings up here for 20 months,” said Barbara Jendrysik, one of the featured artists. “It didn’t feel like that long. I’m grateful to be here with everyone.”

All the artwork was for sale, and many artists brought more work they’ve done since the pandemic started. Artist Pat Lundy brought one painting titled “COVID” from the early days of the stay-at-home stretches, and Lynn Armstrong Coffin and Jendrysik sold children’s books that they’ve illustrated.

More than 80 guests, including several town commissioners, stopped by the reception throughout the evening to browse and buy the art. Mayor Ken Schneier

(941) 301-8877

Email: Stacey@MaloneyLegalFL.com

368012-1

ESTATE PLANNING & ADMINISTRATION (WILLS & TRUSTS) PERSONAL INJURY, & PROBATE

3rd Annual Holiday Lights Event

Saturday November 27th 5:30-7:00pm Town Center Green Tree Lighting at 6:30pm

• Selfies with Santa!

• Holiday Music!

• Free Raffles!

• Complimentary

Candy for the Kids, Snacks, Soft Drinks & Seasonal Adult Beverages!

LBK Rotary

Annual Toy Drive for children of migrant workers in Arcadia.

Consider bringing an unwrapped, $15-value gift for a child (1 to 12 yrs) & receive a raffle ticket for the chance to win a $50 Gift Certificate to Lazy Lobster!

367951-1

367946-1

LBK Kiwanis Club LBK Chamber Paradise Center Town of LBK LBK Garden Club Tidewell Foundation Longboat Key Turtle Watch Save Our Seabirds

14

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

DON’T MISS THE 25th SILVER ANNIVERSARY OF THE DOWNTOWN

SARASOTA HOLIDAY PARADE!

Saturday, Dec. 4 | 7pm Come Start Your Holiday Season With Us! Lighted floats, carolers, dancers, local high school marching bands, area churches, nonprofits, local businesses, and last, but certainly not least, Santa and Mrs. Claus!

Bring the whole family to this treasured community tradition.

Arrive early, bring your lawn chairs and get ready for a festive evening.

Photos by Nat Kaemmerer

368537-1

Start: Main St. & Washington Blvd.

End: Gulfstream Ave.

Above: Heather Annaloro, Jill Lenchner, Jan Henry and Barbara Brizdle fist bump like they do after making a birdie.

Left: Heather Annaloro, Jill Lenchner, Barbara Brizdle and Jan Henry fist bump like they do after making a birdie.

S A R A S O TA

DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION

Golfers gather again

9 4 1 . 3 4 3 . 9 3 9 6 | w w w. G r a n t s G a r d e n s . c o m

COME

until the leading ladies of the links were determined. For the first round of the year, there were 21 teams of four players each.

As golfers picked up plates from the buffet line and sat down, association President Sandy Finnegan began the meeting with a hearty “Welcome home” to claps from her club members. Board members gave brief updates on club goings-on, including financials, future golf outings and how to score a round.

—NAT KAEMMERER

HOME

F OR T H E H A PPI E S T S E A S ON

Explore Life on The R anch & Spend the Happiest Season with Us! FOR KIDS FROM 1 TO 92 (AND UP!) There’s no better feeling than home, especially around the holidays. But we’re not talking about a house. Home is a feeling. And at Lakewood Ranch, we celebrate that feeling. Our annual traditions are simply a part of life for us and for the families who cherish them.

This year, experience The Ranch life through our annual traditions and start making some of your own!

SHOPPING, DINING, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | PARKS & TRAILS | 20+ VILLAGES TO CHOOSE FROM | SOCIAL AND SPORTS CLUBS GOLF & RACQUET SPORTS | THRIVING BUSINESS COMMUNITY | TOP-RATED SCHOOLS | YEAR-ROUND FARMERS’ MARKET

Find your home for the holidays—visit the LWR Info Center on Main Street.

*Prices subject to change without notice. © 2021 Lakewood Ranch

.com

Explore Life on The Ranch

368595-1

348502-1

O

ld friends are never fore-gotten at the Women’s Golf Association, and at the Longboat Key organization’s first round of the season on Nov. 16, friends old and new caught up over a round of golf and lunch.

Shortly after finishing up their first 18 holes of the season, groups of women found their way to the Harbourside Ballroom for lunch. The scores trickled in as the golfers did, and golf pro Terry O’Hara shuffled the top teams on the board

20211112_LWR_HOLIDAYS_AD_OBS_11-25X9-833_mf2.indd 1

11/8/21 4:17 PM

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

15

Your home. Our mission.

At Compass, we believe no barrier should stand between where you are and where you belong.

By pairing knowledgeable agents with intuitive technology, we deliver a personal real estate experience in Sarasota and beyond.

Learn more about our offerings and agents at compass-sarasota.com

Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws.

368388-1 368968-1

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

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

You are cordially invited to the Republican Club of Longboat Key

Holiday Party ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021 at The Longboat Key Club and Resort Harbourside Ballroom 3200 Harbourside Drive Longboat Key, FL 34228 (North Gate by Publix)

RECEPTION: 5:30 PM TO 6:00 PM Appetizers and Cocktails

Photo courtesy of Judy Kepecz-Hays

The property offers 100 feet of beachfront on 0.8 acres.

DINNER: 6:00 PM TO 8:00 PM

followed by Music, Singing & Dancing

GUEST SPEAKER: DR RACELLE WEIMAN

Beachfront house lists for $10.88 million

Dr. Weiman has 30 years of dedicated work in genocide prevention across all sectors of communities, professions and cultures. Her groundbreaking work in the field of conflict resolution and interreligious dialogue includes the production of award winning films and curriculum. Dr. Weiman has been a visiting scholar in over 35 countries, most recently in Indonesia, Philippines, Israel, Austria and Scotland. Her areas of Specialization: Holocaust and Genocide Studies; Interreligious Dialogue; Human Rights; Ethnic and Religious Conflict Resolution; Tolerance Education; Leadership Development; Social Justice and Global Ethics; Abrahamic Trialogue—Judaism, Christianity and Islam; Religious Diplomacy Dr Weiman will also moderate a panel discussion between eight members of the Republican Club of LBK and the LBK Democratic Club.

Property at 6211 Gulf of Mexico Drive was built in 1993 in a Mediterranean style.

COME AND SEE

An open house at the property is planned for 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 28.

ERIC GARWOOD MANAGING EDITOR

S

ituated on nearly an acre directly on the Gulf of Mexico, a property recently added to the Longboat Key real estate market hardly needs wall hangings to adorn its interior.

Floor-to-ceiling windows handle the job of providing stunning views of the beach, the water and nightly sunset-fueled displays of color.

The home at 6211 Gulf of Mexico Drive is listed for $10.88 million

by Judy Kepecz-Hays of Coldwell Banker Global Luxury’s office on St. Armands Circle. To date, she has sold $126 million in properties, eclipsing already her 2020 total.

The property, across from Longboat Island Chapel, is gated and offers 100 feet of beachfront.

Designed in a Mediterranean style,

SPECIAL GUEST: SANTA WILL BE PRESENT

the house features mahogany touches throughout, along with oak floors, custom windows and Spanish tiles.

The three-level home delivers beach views from most of the 4,988 square feet of living area.

Five bedrooms are built with attached bathrooms, and a guest wing is part of the third level, accessed via an elevator or a set of spiral stairs.

On the ground floor, a pool and spa overlook the beach. A six-car garage and an adjoining area can serve as a gym, a game room or more.

Manatee County public records indicate the estate of Ronald Thomas George Platt purchased the land in 1989 for $400,000 and built the home in 1993. It’s been on the market for less than two weeks.

The property is one of six on the

EXCEPTIONAL EXCEPTIONAL EXCEPTIONAL VACATION RENTALS RENTALS VACATION VACATION RENTALS

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877-705-2459 877-705-2459 3720 Gulf of Mexico Drive 877-705-2459

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Locally owned and Locally owned managed sinceand 1994 Locally owned managed sinceand 1994 managed since 1994

info@FLVacationConnection.com FLVacationConnection.com info@FLVacationConnection.com FLVacationConnection.com FLVacationConnection.com

352624-1

PLEASE BRING AN UNWRAPPED GIF FOR:

Tickets: MEMBERS: $35.00 per person with a “TOYS FOR TOTS GIFT” $65.00 per person without a gift.

GUESTS: $40.00 per person with a “TOYS FOR TOTS GIFT” $70.00 per person without a gift.

GIFTS MUST BE UNWRAPPED Make your reservation online and pay securely with your credit card through PayPal. Or by calling: Judy Williams at 941-312-4574 or emailing Judy and bringing your check to the Holiday Party. Please make check payable to RCLBK. Sorry... we do not accept credit cards at the door.

For more information, please contact our President: Scott Gray | RCLBK.ORG

SINCE 1985

• Plumbing Services • Fixture Showroom • AC Services • Gas Installation & Service • Pool Remodeling • Pool Cleaning

From the staff at

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16

LaPenseePlumbing.com

LIC. #CFC1426956 | #CPC1458908 | #CAC1818472

401 Manatee Avenue | Holmes Beach

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

17

ABOVE EXPECTATIONS. BEYOND SHOES. Quality footwear in a wide range of hard-to-find widths and sizes.

One-on-one consultations and fittings with the experts.

All adding up to a more comfortable fit.

The home is built in three levels.

941.921.3696 newbalancesarasota.com market now for a price exceeding $5 million, with the highest asking price $12.9 million down the road in the 3100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive. Also, 27 condo units ranging in price from $2.2 million to $8.75 million are either pending or for sale at the under-construction Sage and St. Regis projects.

Areawide trends continue to show up in the Longboat market with lower levels of available inventory, faster times to contract and higher median and average prices for single-family homes and condominiums.

In September, the most recent complete month of data available

from the Realtor Association of Sarasota-Manatee, the median sales price for homes on Longboat was $1.52 million, up 41% from September 2020. The median price for condos was up 21% to $667,000.

Inventory for condos in September was down 64% to 48 units, working out to less than a month of supply, which was down from four months in 2020. For single-family homes, the active inventory was down 58% to 22, working out to 1.3 months, down from four in 2020.

Cash sales were up, as a percentage of total sales, rising to 72.7% for homes and 70% for condos.

The home offers a swimming pool and spa overlooking the beach.

Sarasota: 1872 Stickney Point Road East of the Siesta Key South Bridge

University: 315 N. Cattleman Road, Suite #1 West District University Town Center West of I-75 on the South side of University Pkwy

Sign up today to support these community events

Jingle and Jog 5k: Sat., Dec. 4th THE HAVEN

Sandy Claws 5K & 1-Mile fun run: Sat., Dec. 11th SARASOTA PARKS & RECREATION

368997-1

Courtesy photos

https://stores.newbalance.com/sarasota

TEE TO GREEN RENOVATION OF THE CHAMPIONS COURSE OPENING DECEMBER 1ST! NEW AND EXPANDED SHORT GAME AREA TWO PRACTICE PUTTING GREENS PREMIER TENNIS, PICKLEBALL, DINING AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

361758-1

CONTACT SUZANNE GILE DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP (941) 355-9733 WWW.PALMAIRE.NET

18

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

Business After Hours

T

he Nov. 16 meeting of the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce had a great view — but not of Longboat Key. For their most recent Business After Hours get-together, chamber members gathered at the rooftop bar of Sage in downtown Sarasota.

Business leaders mingled on the roof, sipped drinks and took in the view of the Sarasota skyline. Caitlyn Zaboworski, the vice president of member services, chatted with chamber members and sold raffle tickets to be drawn later in the night for door prizes donated by attendees. This was the first chamber get-together since it named the Business People of the Year, and winners Dee Dee and Ramin Mesghali were in attendance.

The next time chamber members get together after hours, they will be celebrating the holidays at Harry’s Continental Kitchens on Dec. 9.

Photos by Nat Kaemmerer

Pamela Olin and Gregg Kaplan

Good reception to All Angels artist

E

verything revolved around art at the first artist reception at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church on Nov. 4.

Even some of the art was revolving around itself. Pam Olin, the creator of the hour, welcomed friends, church members and other interested gallerygoers to take a peek at her touchable sculptures.

Olin, who works primarily with steel to create spindly, spinning sculptures, is the artist of the month at the church for October and November. She’s a member of the Sarasota chapter of the National League of American Pen Women and the first artist with a reception at the church.

Originally, the Rev. Dave Marshall and Office Director Linn Torres wanted to host a reception in February during the first New to You Art Sale, but they held off because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

No one knew what to expect, but Olin made plenty of food and invited guests, and there wound up being more than two dozen attendees at the reception.

The next artist of the month will be Chris Connors starting in December. The church is hoping to host another artist reception during her tenure in the gallery as well.

—NAT KAEMMERER

Photos by Nat Kaemmerer

Attendees purchased raffle tickets throughout the evening.

—NAT KAEMMERER

Celia Moore and Kim Bouchard

Above: Daphne Walker, Diana Emrich-Cable and Maggie Romanes Right: Deb Genua set a sculpture spinning. Olin said all her work was “touchable.”

Above: Andrew Vac, Jim Turk and Scott Kuykendall Left: Jonathan Winans and Heather Gaus

5 Ways to Worship at All Angels

St. Armands Key

All Angels Episcopal Church | 563 Bay Isles Rd

LUTHERAN CHURCH

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

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

• Live-stream - go to AllAngelsLBK.org to watch on-line • Zoom service - join meeting number 595-570-1807 368248-1

941-383-8161 • www.AllAngelsLBK.org

Growingin inJesus Jesus’’Name Name Growing

368110-1

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

UPCOMING EVENTS: Christmas on the Circle: Live Nativity & Carol Sing Along December 3rd, 2021 Live Nativity: 6-8pm Carol Sing Along with Brass and Organ: 7pm St. Armands Key Lutheran Church • 40 North Adams Dr., Sarasota, FL • 941.388.1234 • Questions? Contact: michael@saklc.com

St. Mary, Star of the Sea,

WorshipWith With Us Us at at Our Our Church Church Worship

Catholic Church

SundayService Service10:00 10:00AM AM Sunday TheThe Rev. Dr.Dr. Norman Pritchard Rev. Fred Finks

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

Visitors&&Residents ResidentsWelcome Welcome Visitors Watch Our 10:00 AM Service Live: Watch Our 10:00 AM Service Live:

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www.bit.ly/cclbksermons www.bit.ly/cclbksermons or www.christchurchof lbk.org(follow (followYouTube YouTube link) link) or www.christchurchof lbk.org

6400Gulf GulfofofMexico MexicoDr. Dr. •• 941.383.8833 941.383.8833(office) (office) •• www.christchurchlbk.org www.christchurchlbk.org 6400

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An Ecumenical Church that Welcomes all People Founded in 1956

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

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

Follow us on Facebook • www.longboatislandchapel.org

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

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MasksAre AreOptional Optional Masks

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

SUMMER MASS SCHEDULE Saturday: 5:00 PM Sunday: 8:30 & 10:30 AM Daily Mass at 9:00 AM- Monday through Friday Confessions after daily Mass or by appointment Rev. Robert Dziedziak, Pastor

Temple Beth Israel

The Center of Jewish Living on Longboat Key

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!

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

941.383.3428 | www.tbi-lbk.org

RABBI STEPHEN L. SNIDERMAN, D.D.

567 Bay Isles Road • Longboat Key, FL

368180-1

• Walk-up Church - listen to the service outside

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

19

From our family to yours,

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

From our family to yours,

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving is the perfect occasion to express our sincere thanks to those whose friendship we cherish. Thank you for your business and best wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and happiness in the year ahead. Your SECUR-ALL family, Eileen & Adam Smith, Sandra Smith, David Brownstein, Maggie Plasencia, Bob Rutland, Pamela Wiggins, and Ziggy the public relations specialist.

SECUR-ALL INSURANCE AGENCY

Thanksgiving is the perfect occasion to express our sincere thanks to those whose friendship we cherish. Thank you for your business and best wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and happiness in the year ahead. Your SECUR-ALL family, Eileen & Adam Smith, Sandra Smith, David Brownstein, Maggie Plasencia, Bob 941.383.3388 Rutland, Pamela Wiggins, and Ziggy the| public relations specialist.

Sandra Smith SECUR-ALL INSURANCE AGENCY 6350 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE • LONGBOAT KEY, FL

Sandra Smith

| 941.383.3388 369232-1

6350 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE • LONGBOAT KEY, FL

Classifieds 30 Games 29 Real Estate 25 Weather 29

NOVEMBER 25, 2021

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Thanksgiving on the clock

File photo

Above: Sgt. Lee Smith says his family typically moves the holiday observances to match up with his time on the job.

Left: Firefighter-paramedic Ron Koper, Lt. Alan Jenkins and firefighter-paramedic William Lewis will be working the Thanksgiving shift.

Nat Kaemmerer

Someone has to keep the island running, and it often falls to first responders or restaurant servers.

NAT KAEMMERER STAFF WRITER

C

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onjure up traditional images of Thanksgiving, and you’ll likely get a busy kitchen, relatives crashing on the couch, thousands of calories and postturkey naps. However, not everyone devotes their day to just dinner.

Hundreds of people dine out on Longboat Key, servers whisk turkey dinners to and fro, and first responders are on the job in case something goes wrong.

“When you’re at the firehouse, you try to bring as much normal to the holiday as possible,” said Lt. Alan Jenkins, of the town's fire-rescue department. “You do things you would do on the holiday at home.”

So firefighters do things potluckstyle, like a big happy family dinner — but one that doesn’t involve familial tension or wine-fueled arguments partway through the evening. Everyone gets assigned a dish. This year, firefighter-paramedic Ron Koper is responsible for the green beans.

The way dinner gets done usually depends on who’s on shift. One year, the firefighters did a turkey fry.

Firefighters make the most of the 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. shift on the holiday, Koper said. Families come in, and the kids run around together.

Firefighter-paramedic Brian Kolesa said his wife sometimes prefers when he works the holiday because she doesn’t have to handle the whole enchilada at home. Even with the big gathering, there are plenty of left-

overs every year.

“We get to have tons of food, and she doesn’t have to cook everything because everyone brings something,” Kolesa said.

Inevitably, Kolesa said, a call comes in while dinner is being prepared — kitchen smoke calls are common. Choking calls, too. But the goal is to get as many firefighters sitting down together with their families as possible.

“We try to realize that everyone wants to be home with their family,” he said. “If you're on shift on Christmas, some of the older guys that have already got the opportunity to spend time with their kids for Christmas will come in early so the newer dads can go home and have Christmas morning with their kids. … We try and make the best of it for everyone.”

Meanwhile, server Carrie Hodges’ day at Lazy Lobster starts around 10:30 a.m. and ends around 9 p.m.

Typically, the restaurant serves about 600 people a year, but thankfully, most of those are easy orders: turkey dinner after turkey dinner after turkey dinner.

“It's actually a lot easier,” Hodges said. “We have a smaller menu, and pretty much everybody gets turkey, so it's a super easy day.”

There are some regulars who come every Thanksgiving, especially older couples who don’t want to do the whole song and dance just for themselves. Hodges has worked three Thanksgivings at Lazy Lobster, but because she’s long been in the food service and hospitality industry, there are probably more holidays she’s spent with co-workers than family.

“I’ve always worked at restaurants, so I don't think I've had Thanksgiving at home in something like more

than 15 years,” Hodges said.

Sgt. Lee Smith of the Longboat Key Police echoes the normalcy of a Thanksgiving on the clock. Whether in the military or on the police force, it’s often just been a Thursday to him throughout his career. Thanksgiving is done on Fridays.

“Over the last 23 years, I’ve probably spent more holidays on than off with family,” Smith said. “We just kind of push holidays to the right with family. It’s a normal day. Every once in a while, my wife makes lasagna and brings it in, and we’ve had a couple families come in and have lunch with us.

“This year it’s just going to be routine, but my wife is organizing beach cleanup for Thanksgiving sunset, so afterwards I’ll be doing that. For the most part, we just take the calls, and it really can be normal.”

Meanwhile, Longboat Key Club Food and Beverage Director Bob Weil’s day is anything but normal.

At the club’s Thanksgiving buffet, more than 600 people come grab a plate or three, and Weil is running around making sure everything goes smoothly. He sometimes grabs a piece of turkey while on the fly.

“I’ll have to be everywhere,” Weil said. “I’m also sort of the glue if there’s an area that's particularly busy at one point. It’s a full day for me. At the same time I’m trying to touch base with employees there because they’re away from their families and loved ones. It’s a sacrifice to be away from family, and some are putting in a partial or full day, and I want to thank them and make sure they know we appreciate it.”

Even before Thanksgiving, the club gives out turkeys to all employees.

The employee cafeteria also feeds about 400 employees that day, and

Weil makes sure to run turkey dinners out to the security guards at the gatehouse during the day, too.

It’s a crazy busy, all-hands-ondeck week for the club as guests and members and families flock to the various sections and activities, but staff have made connections with guests over the years.

“It really is a family time for us,” Weil said. “For members, it’s seeing their extended families that we have seen for 10-plus years, kids who are now 15 or so. You have those progressions. I’ve spent almost 21 years at the club, and there are some sets of members who I’ve seen their kids grow into adults. A lot of our staff are longtime employees, so they see it too.

“There’s an energy during the holidays. … There’s an energy that’s not there during a typical shift.”

Courtesy photo

A turkey dinner at Lazy Lobster is the meal of choice for most diners of the day.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

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Happy Thanksgiving BENCH M A R K R E SU LTS • S T R AT EGIC M A R K ET I NG • PER SONA L I Z ED SERV ICE

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

Creating healthy habits Getting square with our values is what creates motivation.

“Habits are as much a curse as a benefit.”

— Charles Duhigg

KRISTINE NICKEL

H

ere we go, rolling into the holiday season with its exacerbation of merriment accompanied by perhaps less than positive habits. We could make a list, though it’s safe to say that you might well be ticking off those habits in your mind right now. Before you get bummed out, let’s take a look at how can we mitigate unhealthy habits and replace them with habits better suited to a better mindset.

Call it a jump-start on Jan. 1.

This is certainly not an original idea. The past few years have seen a plethora of books and articles focusing on the topic of habits. In fact, one such book, James Clear’s “Atomic Habits,” is squarely in the upper echelon of bestsellers right now. That follows in the tracks of “Tiny Habits: The Small Changes the Change Everything,” “Make Your Bed” and “The Power of Habit.”

All of these tomes indicate that habits — how we create them, possibly break them and hopefully replace them — are a major field of study. The science of habit formation is big stuff I discovered while attempting to synthesize all of the latest and greatest into a simple guide for the rest of us.

As I’ve learned, rodents have been involved. It seems that those little guys have shown us time and again that there is a three-step process in forming a habit. Our brains receive a cue that reminds us of a routine that produces a reward. It’s a simple

loop — cue, routine, reward.

Now, although all of the aforementioned scientists have a different way of describing this process, it’s basically this. Think, for instance, of driving down any street in practically any town, anywhere, and we see the golden arches. Immediately, that visual cue says “french fries.” The routine of pulling into the drive-thru will produce a particularly toothsome reward. It really doesn’t matter if we’re hungry. We know that those salty, fatty fries will bring a pleasurable reward.

This is a simple example. It could be something much more or less complicated.

LET’S START WITH THE LESS

Former Navy SEAL Admiral William McRaven’s bestseller “Make Your Bed” adds the element of willpower into the equation. It’s no surprise, considering the title, that he posits that starting the day with a simple action — making your bed — becomes the keystone habit creating a domino effect for the rest of the day. The visual and kinetic cue of making the bed kicks off many tasks that become routines, which brings about a productive and positive day — the reward.

The term “keystone” is used frequently in Charles Duhigg’s “The Power of Habit.” Broadly defined, a keystone habit is a base habit from which other habits flow — positive or negative. The example of making your bed is a keystone habit that, as described by McRaven, will be extremely positive. If, on the other hand, you wake up late every morn-

ing, rushing through the morning must-do’s building stress, that’s a series of keystone habits that more than not will set up a day of stress and inefficiency.

BREAKING BAD

Eliminating those habits you define as “bad” takes some thought and determination, sometimes known as willpower but better thought of as powerful motivation.

As with many things, the brain is driving the train here. We have a little part of our brain called the habenula. It does several things, but for our purposes, it’s the little voice that says, “You tried that once, and you failed.” In other words, its shapes behavior based on past failures and disappointments.

How do we counteract this? In a report issued by the Mayo Clinic, authored by Dr. Steve Kopecky, he suggests this: “It’s much better to register tiny successes than big failures in our path toward change.”

Kopecky goes on to suggest, as does James Clear in his book, that successful change begins with understanding the “whys”: Why do we want to lose weight or stop smoking or yelling at our kids?

You need to be really clear about how that aligns with your value

system. Getting clear about your motivation is the agreed-upon most important factor in changing habits. Your motivation will drive all of the small but significant changes that become habits over time. And our brains like small. They like things that become routine of habits because it conserves energy for the bigger things we must figure out every day.

Here are a couple suggestions for consideration. Remember: Getting square with our values is what creates motivation: n Stick to a routine. Consistency creates a huge amount of positive effects. It makes our habenula happy. n Practice gratitude. You might be thinking, what does that have to do with habits? Well, it might be the most important habit of all.

Practicing gratitude helps us to love our own life and not long for others things. Practicing gratitude is a big habit that leads to a peaceful mind.

Kristine Nickel is a marketing communications consultant and former marketing and public relations executive. For more than 30 years, she has relieved her stress by writing features for publications across the country.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

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

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HOLMES BEACH 4003 5th Avenue 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,200 Sq. Ft. Stacy Haas 941-587-4359 A4514159 $1,650,000

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

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SARASOTA 1520 Ridgewood Lane 4 Beds 3 Baths 3,437 Sq. Ft. Stacy Liljeberg & John Garmong 941-544-6103 A4514956 $1,499,000

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SARASOTA 755 S Palm Avenue 306 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,421 Sq. Ft. Felix Power 941-586-8958 A4516200 $799,000

ST PETE 400 4th Avenue S 601 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,260 Sq. Ft. Cheryl Roberts & Cathy Palmer 941-266-1450 A4517124 $749,900

BRADENTON 5449 46th Court W 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,039 Sq. Ft. Adam Cuffaro 941-812-0791 A4511158 $630,000

BRADENTON 5228 Bentgrass Way 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,460 Sq. Ft. Victoria Turner 662-614-2783 A4517006 $615,000

BRADENTON 2316 Starwood Court 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,995 Sq. Ft. Jamie Van Vliet & Christopher Van Vliet 941-993-8996 A4516659 $599,999

SARASOTA 1500 State Street 602 1 Bed 1 Baths 752 Sq. Ft. Stephanie Okuley 941-773-2677 A4516812 $475,000

VENICE 343 Melrose Court 111B 2 Beds 2 Baths 2,329 Sq. Ft. Sharon Ross 941-320-4190 A4516774 $473,000

BRADENTON 5155 San Palermo Drive 4 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,997 Sq. Ft. Rachelle Golden 941-538-8998 A4515613 $449,999

SARASOTA 2028 Bougainvillea Street 2 Beds 1 Baths 1,000 Sq. Ft. Barbara May 404-822-9264 A4516776 $400,000

SARASOTA 201 Honore Avenue 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,416 Sq. Ft. Stacy Hanan 941-266-0529 A4516737 $380,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 112 Mangrove Avenue 4 Beds 2/1 Baths 3,577 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4502423 $4,150,000

SARASOTA The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Residences 1204 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 3,553 Sq. Ft. Joan Dickinson & Beth Afflebach 941-914-0496 A4508463 $3,950,000

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

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM 357398-1

24

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

NOV. 8-12

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

condominium in L’Ambiance at Longboat Key tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Jaclyn Kim Brunckhorst, of Nokomis, sold the Unit D-906 condominium at 415 L’Ambiance Drive to William Dan Tarpley and Leann Vanschoyck, of Longboat Key, for $4 million. Built in 1992, it has three bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths and 2,634 square feet. It sold for $2.3 million in 2017.

L’AMBIANCE AT LONGBOAT KEY

William Newman and Alexandra St. Paul, trustees, of Bradenton, sold the Unit C-403 condominium at 415 L’Ambiance Drive to Susan Davis and Richard Henley, trustees, of Longboat Key, for $3.5 million.

Built in 1992, it has two bedrooms, two-and-two-half baths and 2,634 square feet. It sold for $1.44 million in 2002.

THE WATER CLUB

Michael and Maureen Guirguis sold their Unit 404 condominium at 1281 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Bruce and Jennifer Natale, of Great River, New York, for $2.42 million. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, four baths and 3,054 square feet. It sold for $1,595,000 in 2020.

Tamra Shankman, of Tampa, sold the Unit 304 condominium at 1241 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Anthony Martinelli, trustee, of Colts Neck, New Jersey, for $2.4 million. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, four baths and 3,045 square feet.

25

REAL ESTATE

Pair of L’Ambiance condos go for $4 million, $3.5 million

|

Courtesy photo

Two condominiums sold at L’Ambiance recently, one for $4 million and another for $3.5 million.

Carrie Kalinsky, of Chantilly, Virginia, for $740,000. Built in 1975, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,096 square feet of living area.

CONRAD BEACH

Romijay Enterprises Ltd. sold the home at 7030 Firehouse Road to Theodore Bookstaver, trustee, of Los Angeles, for $1.47 million. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,490 square feet of living area.

BAYPORT BEACH AND TENNIS CLUB

TANGERINE BAY CLUB

Bernard Kelley, of Philadelphia, sold his Unit 423 condominium at 370 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Raymond John Gall Jr. and Marybeth Gall, trustees, of Riva, Maryland, for $1.1 million. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,350 square feet of living area.

LONGBOAT COVE

Francis and Theresa Scardino, trustees, sold the Unit 304 condominium at 5461 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Michael Gray, of Longboat Key, for $835,000. Built in 1980, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,516 square feet of living area.

Ziv and Shelly Sarig, of Pepper Pike, Ohio, sold their Unit 524 condominium at 524 Bayport Way to Harold Blumenfeld, of Pittsburgh, for $660,000. Built in 1980, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,676 square feet of living area.

BUTTONWOOD COVE

Thomas and Carol Gilbert, trustees, of Flossmoor, Illinois, sold the Unit 101 condominium at 3660 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Susan Nauseda, trustee, of Chicago, for $660,000.

Built in 1980, it has three bedrooms,

two baths and 1,486 square feet of living area.

PELICAN HARBOUR BEACH CLUB

William Aiden Bagot and Thomas Mitchell Bagot, of Cape Charles, Virginia, sold their Unit H-2 condominium at 4234 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Ralph and Amy Stoy, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, for $430,000.

Built in 1973, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 1,150 square feet of living area.

PELICAN GARDENS

Donald and Rebecca Fulton sold their Unit 16 condominium at 170 Roosevelt Drive to Penny Spector, of Scottsdale, Arizona, for $349,900. Built in 1964, it has one bedroom, one bath and 601 square feet of living area.

WINDWARD BAY

Barbara Hyra, of Longboat Key, sold her Unit 205 condominium at 4540 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Seth and

Walter Group

440 Gulf of Mexico Drive | Longboat Key | 941.232.2000 or 941.809.0907

TOP BUILDING PERMITS These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of Nov. 12-18 in order of dollar amounts.

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

APPLICANT John Wise

AMOUNT $224,937

767 St. Judes Drive N.

Interior alterations

Charles P. Godels

$132,126

3380 GMD

Screen

Ingrid V. Nissen

$68,828

600 Weston Pointe Court

Re-roof

John F. Schmidt

$67,642

415 L’Ambiance Drive #D806 Windows

Alfred Feiger Revocable Trust $64,470

720 Hideaway Bay Drive

Re-roof

Robert A. Boehm

$57,500

3105 GMD

A/C change-out

Ben E. Price

$47,000

6837 GMD

Electrical

Debra Herschmann

$39,000

525 Sloop Lane

Re-roof

Kevin Brian Coyne

$27,620

2425 GMD

Mechanical

Sea Gate Club Condominium $23,055

3150 Bayou Sound

Repair work

James H. Matson

$21,500

4234 GMD Unit X1

Windows and door

Francis J. Magill

$19,844

455 Longboat Club Road

A/C change-out

Franklin R. Schlosser

$17,318

#806 3030 Grand Bay Blvd #332 A/C change-out

Stephen C. Schulmerich Family $16,808

100 Sands Point Road #111 Lift

Judith Ochsner TTEE

$15,946

540 Harbor Gate Way

Marsha Katz Revocable LT

$15,000

Electrical

25 Lighthouse Point Drive Windows

Janet B. Schaeberg Revocable $14,733

Trust 617 Neptune Ave

Mechanical

Mary Suzzan Lupo Living Trust $14,392

3030 Grand Bay Blvd #346 A/C change-out

Jay Dor

$14,250

433 Firehouse Court

A/C change-out

Gary B. Harmeling

$13,238

837 Spanish Drive N.

Windows

Philip A. Bondi, Jr.

$12,920

1955 GMD #107

Glass door

William Warren Trakas

4011 GMD

Demolition of single Naomi A. Muselman

family residence

1211 GMD #103

A/C change-out

Keith E. Crain, Jr.

$9,654 $9,000 $8,370

2110 Harbourside Drive #556 Hurricane shutters Augustus J. Carriero

$8,077

Life Estimate 388 Firehouse Lane

A/C change-out

Rafael C. Fernandez

$7,667

741 Tarawitt Drive

A/C change-out

Kathy Flood

$7,494

2012 Harbourside Drive

A/C change-out

Daniel R. Bateyko

$7,450

4241 GMD Unit 401

Mechanical

Petersen Ventures LLC

$7,443

835 Longboat Club Road

Garage door

Vernon G. Buchanan

$7,438

#2101

Source: Town of Longboat Key

As local Longboat Key Realtors and a top performing Michael Saunders & Company team, it is our pleasure to share our knowledge of the local real estate market. That means that whether selling or buying, we have the experience to listen, understand, and represent your interests to help you achieve your real estate goals.

Having lived a combined 20 years on Lido and Longboat Key, our first-hand knowledge of the islands is an indispensable asset when it comes to navigating the market. Call us today for help with finding the perfect luxury Sarasota waterfront real estate investment. ©Michael Saunders & Company, Licensed Real Estate Broker

SARASOTA 483 Meadow Lark Drive 4 Beds 3.1 Baths 5,468 SF A4510572 $6,850,000

SARASOTA 525 Bird Key Drive 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,527 SF A4517683 $2,695,000

PENDING

357317-1

ADDRESS 6601 Gulfside Road

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

YOUR CALENDAR

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

Thank you to our friends and clients for your trust and loyalty!

THE BEST Just got

Better

Lifetime Achievement of $1,000,000,000 in residential real estate sales Over 100,000 satisfied customers and clients Over $52,000,000 in Closed and Pending Sales 2020

OUR EXCLUSIVE Luxury Collection WE ARE GLOBAL LUXURY, PROPERTY SPECIALIST Longboat Harbour

WWW.THELYNNEKOYGROUP.COM

1425 GULF OF MEXICO DR #201 3 BR/4BA | 2,107 SQ FT $1,695,000 See and hear the waves splashing from your 30-foot balcony or your master bedroom here at the prestigious Players Club on Longboat Key.

4400 EXETER DR., #104

MIXED BEGINNERS BRIDGE From 1-2:30 p.m. through Dec. 20 at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Cost is $85 for members and $95 for nonmembers. Call 383-8222 or email EducationCenter@TBI-LBK.org.

SOLD

WWW.THELYNNEKOYGROUP.COM

$355,000

2BR/2BA | 1,165 SQ FT This charming and completely renovated bungalow is sure to impress! Featuring high-end upgrades throughout and tranquil lake views that are so mesmerizing, you are sure to want to make this villa a place you can call home!

$1,626,000

$420,000

Unit #57 | 3 BR/ 2.5 BA | 2,200 SQFT Situated on a quiet Cul-De-Sac in the golf community of The Meadows sits this enchanting move-on ready villa you don't want to miss.

Elegant, spacious, and filled with gorgeous views of mature landscaping.

SOLD

3BR/4.5BA | 4,599 SQ FT One of Florida's finest Estate homes in The Oaks, this residence is the definition of luxury and design.

This prestigious gated neighborhood in Sarasota is known for its beautiful tree-lined streets.

LONGBOAT LIBRARY The Longboat Library, at 555 Bay Isles Road, is open again from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

There will also be a half-price sale on used books every Wednesday. Call 383-2011 for information.

WWW.THELYNNEKOYGROUP.COM

The Oaks - Bayside

WWW.282OSPREYPOINT.COM

MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

4544 CHANDLERS FORDE

SOLD

File photo

BEST BET FRIDAY, DEC. 3

HOLIDAY NIGHT ON ST. ARMANDS From 5:30-9 p.m. on St. Armands Circle, indulge in holiday festivities.

Caroling will begin at 6 p.m., followed

by Santa’s arrival and a tree-lighting ceremony. Families can take photos with Santa from 6:30-8 p.m. Several stores will be participating in holiday promotions. Call 388-1554 for more information.

TUESDAYS

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

ter, 546 Bay Isles Road. Qi gong is a mind-body-spirit practice designed to improve mental and physical health. Class is outdoors, weather permitting. Cost is $10. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

AT THE MOVIES From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel. View assigned movies and discuss in class or on Zoom with movie critic Gus Mollasis. Class runs through Dec. 21. Join anytime on a pro-rated basis. Cost is $95 for members and $105 for nonmembers. Call 383-8222, or email EducationCenter@TBI-LBK.org.

Living and Working on Longboat Key for 40 Years

Sawgrass

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

WWW.356MARSHLANDINGWAY.COM

356 MARSH LANDING WAY $620,000 3BR/2BA | 2,004 SQ FT Stunning lake view home, located in the soughtafter gated community of Sawgrass, with low HOA's and wonderful amenities.

941.724.7228

368166-1

4358 TRAILS DR. #13-1

282 OSPREY POINT DR.

MONDAYS

The Meadows

SOLD

CHRISTMAS IN THE GARDEN From Nov. 28 through Jan. 2, Longboat Island Chapel will transform its Friendship Garden into a winter wonderland. Local organizations have sponsored decorated Christmas trees, and the lights will be on daily from dusk to 9 p.m. On Nov. 30 and Dec. 6, 12, 15, 20 and 22, there will be musical presentations, treats and drinks free of charge. Call 387-2261 for information.

RECURRING EVENTS

$349,000

1BR/1BA | 756 SQ FT Situated in sought-out Longboat Harbour of Longboat Key, this updated condo is everything you need to live the island life you have always dreamed of living.

Lakes of Sarasota

SUNDAY, NOV. 28

KIWANIS LAWN PARTY From noon until 2 p.m. at the Town Center Green, 600 Bay Isles Road, taste dishes from 22 restaurants, bid on silent auction items and hear the music of the band Blues PIG. Proceeds benefit Children’s Guardian Fund, which supports foster children. Tickets are $75, and raffle tickets are $50. Visit LBKLawnParty. org for information or to buy tickets.

PENDING

WWW.1425GOM201.COM

LIGHT UP LONGBOAT From 5:30-7 p.m. at the Town Center Green, 600 Bay Isles Road, join the community for the third annual Light Up Longboat event. Five oak trees will be covered in lights and switched on at 6:30 p.m. Local organizations will set up booths to share information and do giveaways, and the Rotary Club of Longboat Key will be hosting a toy drive.

SATURDAY, DEC. 4

Certified Broker/Associate, CRB, CRS, GRI

Players Club

SATURDAY, NOV. 27

CathyMeldahl@michaelsaunders.com

J.D., REALTOR ® , LBK COMMISSIONER J.D., ,, LBK REAL ESTATE SIMPLY DONE J.D., REALTOR REALTOR LBK COMMISSIONER COMMISSIONER ® ®

REAL REAL ESTATE ESTATE SIMPLY SIMPLY DONE DONE

INVOLVED CITIZENS

J.D., REALTOR ® , LBK COMMISSIONER

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

REAL ESTATE SIMPLY DONE

367836-1

SPARCC (Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center) | Meals on Wheels | LBK Rotary Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe | Mote Marine Supporters

GLOBAL MARKETING REACH

NY Times | WSJ | Coldwell Banker International | World Properties | Trulia | Right Moves Realtor.com | Zillow | List Globally | Luxury Real Estate | Unique Homes

www.TheLynneKoyGroup.com Office@TheLynneKoyGroup.com 443F JOHN RINGLING BLVD ST. ARMAND'S CIRCLE SARASOTA, FL 34236

REAL ESTATE DONE • Certified LuxurySIMPLY Home Marketing Specialist • On Longboat Key since 2002 • Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist • On Longboat Key since 2002 • LBK Commissioner • 2020 Michael & Company • LBK Commissioner SaundersSaunders & Company Sarasota Memorial Hospital volunteer • 2020 Michael “Top Sales Associates” • Sarasota Memorial Hospital volunteer “Top Sales Associates” • Recent in: Bay Isles-Harbor | • Recent salessales in: Bay Isles-Harbor | • 35 of legal experience • 35 years of years legal experience Promenade The Pearl | Tangerine Promenade | The |Pearl | Tangerine Bay | Bay | Award Winner Sands | Fairway Bay | Harbour Masters Masters Award Winner Sands PointPoint | Fairway Bay | Harbour Villa Villa• 2020• 2020 ClubClub | Perico Bay | Longbeach | Perico Bay | Longbeach

FLAWLESS EXECUTION FLAWLESS EXECUTION

Voted in the Top 12 Realtors of Sarasota, by the readers of SRQ Magazine

Lynne | Courtney

203.605.9582 203.605.9582

368255-1

THE LYNNE KOY GROUP Follow me on:

provides sophisticated real estate service with exceptional personal attention and unmatched market experience.

The Lynne Koy Group can provide you with the experience you deserve. For real estate representation built on trust and client satisfaction, call now at 941-387-1824

368562-1

26

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

SELLING LOCAL LUXURY WITH G L O B A L C O N N E C T I O N S

Judy Kepecz-Hays

$2.3 BILLION IN CAREER SALES

941.587.1700

|

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

Lori Lawson

Steven Kepecz

941.735.4385

941.376.6411

27

November 24, 2021

Ritz-Carlton Managed Residences Penthouse... New on the Market!

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY NOVEMBER 28th

11:30-4:30

FEATURED IN SUNDAYS SRQ HERALD ISLANDER CLUB • 2295 Gulf of Mexico Dr #55S Bright & open floorplan . Enjoy lovely sunset views from the poolside. With floor-to-ceiling hurricane impact glass throughout, wood floors in main living area, newer kitchen, and bathrooms. Generous 38ft terrace displaying beautiful garden view and phenomenal amenities. Olymic sized pool, newly upgraded social room. Fitness Center overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Walk to Publix or CVS $788,000 | www.IslanderClub55S.com

THE BEACH RESIDENCES OF LIDO KEY 1300 Benjamin Franklin Dr. Penthouse 1201 This residence is a WOW “the best views in the building”.

Enjoy sunrise and sunsets year-round. 4200 sq. ft. two wrap around terraces, southwest and east corner. Endless amenities; travertine floors, Subzero, and Dacor appliances. BBQ on terrace, motorized blinds, high ceilings, and a private 2-car garage plus 1 space. Two pets welcome. $5,985,000 |www.1300Penthouse1201.com

LONGBOAT KEY • 6211 Gulf of Mexico Dr Custom gulf-front masterpiece high quality construction and craftsmanship. Living room with gas fireplace, elevator, family room, formal dining room, 4 bedrooms plus den or 5 bedrooms 5 baths en-suite. Expansive Balcony with forever sunset views. 6 - car garage and an impressive lower level that can be used as a fitness center, social area, and more. $10,880,000 | www.6211GulfofMexico.com

NG I ND

PE

TANGERINE BAY • 370 Gulf of Mexico Dr #421

THE WATER CLUB • 1241 Gulf of Mexico Dr #408 Beautifully updated and furnished. This 3000 sq. ft residence offers Bay and Gulf views, two small pets welcome. Corner residence with sunrise/sunset views. Enjoy the miles of pristine beaches and resort-style living. Lavish mastersuite that pampers you with your own private terrace with views of the gulf. $2,350,000 FURNISHED | www.TheWaterClub408.com

Rarely available in Tangerine Bay! 3 bedroom 3.5 bath. Southern exposure, guard gate, 2-car garage, 2 small pets welcome, resort like amenities, pool/spa, tennis courts, fitness center, a fishing pier, day dock, lush grounds. offers all the comforts of a condominium while creating the feel of single-family living $1,100,000 | www.TangerineBay421.com

SUNSET BEACH 2101 Gulf of Mexico Dr Unit 2301 Views of the pool and Gulf of Mexico. Completely exquistely renovated new windows and doors. Better than new. 2 bedroom 2 bath gated community. Corner residence. $1,100,000.00 FURNISHED

NEW ON THE MARKET! If you’re thinking of buying or selling, please call us for exceptional service.

Judy Kepecz-Hays 941.587.1700

$127 MILLION SOLD Year to Date

ATRIUM 2110 Harborside Dr. Unit 556 Over 2,000 sq. ft. 3 bedroom 2 bath in the prestigous Atrium community. With glistening Sarasota Bay and Downton Sarasota Skyline as your backyard. Recently updated resident, new hurricane storm shutters as a resident of Bay Isles you will have access to Bay Isles Beach Club.

Offered at $1,025,000.00 Schedule your private showing today.

CALL Steven Kepecz 941.376.6411

COLDWELL BANKER REALTY

423 St. Armands Circle | Sarasota, FL 34236 595 Bay Isles Road, Suite 250 | Longboat Key, FL 34228 Email: Kepecz@JudyHays.com Website: LongboatKeyLuxury.com

368871-1

PARK RESIDENCES OF LIDO KEY 159 Taft Dr. Penthouse 305 Spectacular 2500 sq. ft. Penthouse, total 5000 sq.ft. w/ Private Rooftop Terrace. Quartz countertops, Cucine Ricci Italian cabinetry, Viking and Bosch appliances almost new. Resort style pool with cabanas only minutes to the Beach. No need to remodel.

It’s exquiste bring your bathing suits. Two pets welcome. Two under building parking spaces. $2,950,000 FURNISHED | www.159PentHouseE305.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

BIRD OF THE WEEK A closer look at the feathered friends with which we share Longboat.

Now is a GREAT Now GREAT time is toaSELL! time to SELL!

WHY? WHY?

Our sellers are receiving Our sellers are receiving multiple offers and top dollar! multiple offers and top dollar!

Osprey

A

magnificent bird of prey, ospreys can be spotted year-round in Florida.

While some are full-time nesting residents, others winter here or are migratory birds that are just passing through.

Ospreys are monogamous and mate for life, reusing their nests for generations. Vocal and demonstrative, they use a wide range of verbal and nonverbal behaviors. Indeed, a study of osprey behavior revealed eight distinctive vocalizations to express feelings — including excitement, alarm and hunger — and 11 physical displays to convey messages of courtship, protection, rest and attack.

Ospreys almost exclusively eat live fish. These aerial acrobats plunge up to 3 feet into the water to catch their prey. But unlike other diving birds, they don’t grab fish with their beaks. Detecting prey with their keen vision, they dive into water feet first, grabbing prey with their strong talons. A reversible fourth talon comes in handy for securing their slippery

Consider Selling Your Property In ThisProperty Robust Market Consider Selling Your

In This Robust Market

Consider Selling Your Property In This Robust Market Call today for a no-obligation, no-cost market analysis!

Home values are up. Inventory is low...it’s a seller’s market.

CallGet today for trusted a no-obligation, no-cost analysis! the most source of local market market conditions from Home values arereal up.estate Inventory is low...it’sata Wagner seller’s market. your local area professionals Realty.

Get the most trusted source of local market conditions from your local area real estate professionals at Wagner Realty.

Call our experts at Wagner Realty Call our experts Dia Wilson Rae Ellen Hayo at941.383.5577 Wagner Realty More than 35 years of combined experience 941.383.5577 Dia Wilson Rae Ellen Hayo Longboat Key Office • 5360 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Ste 101 • Longboat Key, FL Longboat Anna Maria Island • Sarasota Longboat Key Office • 5360 Gulf of Mexico Drive,Key Ste•101 • Longboat Key, FL

367788-1

More than 35 years of combined experience

Lakewood Ranch • East & West Bradenton

Longboat Key • Anna Maria Island • Sarasota www.WagnerRealty.com Lakewood Ranch • East & West Bradenton

www.WagnerRealty.com

Miri Hardy

catch, as do rough scales on their feet.

Once airborne, ospreys often reposition fish so the head faces forward, perhaps to improve aerodynamics.

A growing cause of death for ospreys is entanglement: If adults incorporate monofilament or other discarded nonnatural twine into their nests, these can end up wrapped around chicks’ feet, injuring or trapping them. And because ospreys are food specialists, with one main food source, a grave threat to their populations is contamination of their aquatic ecosystems — our Sarasota waterways. As top predators, they’re exposed to the highest concentrations of toxins, such as mercury, in our environment.

To protect these beautiful birds, which are key members of our ecosystem, we can keep toxins out of our waterways and plastic litter, including twine and fishing line, out of our environment.

Ospreys are monogamous and mate for life, reusing their nests for generations.

—MIRI HARDY, SAVE OUR SEABIRDS

Save our Seabirds is a nonprofit whose mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and release sick and injured wild birds. Follow @SaveOurSeabirds to learn more.

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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

PLAYERS CLUB PIAZZA, LONGBOAT KEY This rarely listed “End Unit” is perfectly situated to enjoy FULL Gulf views. 3 bedroom, 3 bath in “Players Club of Longboat Key” has been nicely updated and “Turn-Key” perfect so you can just bring your flip-flops & move right in....The beach views are spectacular & you can lull yourself away at night in your master retreat listening to the surf below. Enjoy all of your alfresco dining while you enjoy those amazing sunsets... The Players Club has newly renovated amenities & is located in south Longboat Key on the most sugary sand beach of the Gulf Coast.

Turnkey beautiful, recently remodeled, and the best value for a three bedroom condo on the beach in Longboat Key. Come live the dream... $999,900.

5

$ /mo.

Or $50 year

Questions?

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

JOIN TODAY, VISIT

KATHY CALLAHAN 941-900-8088

YourObserver.com/newsies

KathyCallahan@michaelsaunders.com LBKathy.com

440 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228 369006-1

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

367542-1

28

REAL ESTATE... REAL PARADISE

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

SUNRISE / SUNSET

FRIDAY, NOV. 26

High: 73 Low: 54 Chance of rain: 6%

Thursday, Nov. 25 6:59a

5:35p

Friday, Nov. 26

6:59a

5:35p

Saturday, Nov. 27

7:00a

5:35p

Sunday, Nov. 28

7:01a

5:35p

Monday, Nov. 29

7:02a

5:35p

Tuesday, Nov. 30

7:02a

5:35p

Wednesday, Dec. 1

7:03a

5:35p

SATURDAY, NOV. 27 High: 68 Low: 58 Chance of rain: 2%

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

WEATHER

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST

|

Sunrise Sunset

MOON PHASES

SUNDAY, NOV. 28 High: 71 Low: 60 Chance of rain: 8%

Dec. 18 Full

Dec. 26 Last

Jan. 2 New

Jan. 9 First

TIDES

Highs Lows

Thursday, Nov. 25

Patricia Muller captured this photo of the sun rising over Sarasota Bay from Longboat Key.

1:51a

6:49p

11:03a

9:11p

Friday, Nov. 26

2:55a

7:08p

11:59a

11:29p

Saturday, Nov. 27

4:20a

7:30p

—

12:53p

Sunday, Nov. 28

6:01a

7:52p

1:13a

1:42p

Monday, Nov. 29

7:37a

8:15p

2:27a

2:27p

Tuesday, Nov. 30

9:00a

8:39p

3:25a

3:07p

Wednesday, Dec. 1

10:14a

9:06p

4:16a

3:42p

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

TEAM PLAY ... by Drew Schmenner. Edited by David Steinberg 109 Despise Miami’s NBA team?

112 “___ it strange?”

113 St. Louis attraction 114 Inserts 115 Back out from an agreement 116 Prof.’s degree, often 117 Airport safety org.

118 Liquid bought by the gallon 119 “Puff, puff, pass” player

DOWN

©2021 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

31 Recycling receptacle 32 Skin care brand 1 Baker’s mixture 34 Agree (with) 7 ___ de Janeiro 35 Cater for Calgary’s 10 TV brand NHL team?

13 Homer, to Bart 40 Very proper person 16 “Mad Men” quote?

42 Flaky mineral 17 Care for 43 Unchallenging 18 Red and Yellow 44 Gives the go-ahead expanses 45 Have Oklahoma City’s 19 Domesticate 20 Try to touch players on NBA team accompany you?

Dallas’ NHL team?

49 Connoisseur 23 Aware of, as a prank 51 Where a skier may sip 24 High society hot cocoa 25 Title for a duke 52 Approximately 26 Senator’s assistant 53 Lexicon that had no 27 Breaks into, virtually 28 Hollywood workplace single word of the year for 2020 (Abbr.)

29 First medium for 54 Internet jokes Jimmy Kimmel 55 Oldest younger

349247-1

941.748.4679 | Venice

brother?

56 Storyline’s progression 57 Chuckle in a text 58 Picnic pest 59 Not there?

60 Reimburse Buffalo’s NFL team?

65 Actor Moranis 69 Aspiring prof.’s test, maybe 71 Certain pig 72 “I’m in heaven!”

73 Palm with berries 74 Soulful Isaac 76 It acquired Netscape 77 Popular sheepskin boots 79 Garment of many lengths 80 2014 DuVernay film about 1965 marches

81 Mix up one of New York’s NFL teams?

84 Soybean ___ 85 Fertile, as soil 87 Each birthday candle 88 Love, in Venice 89 Stand up to Seattle’s WNBA team?

93 Creamy cheese 94 Uninvited party guest, perhaps 95 Throw softly 96 Former quarterback Drew 98 Slimy substance 101 Sight from an airplane window 103 Animal in a pride 105 Do perfectly 106 Least acceptable 108 Big winnings

1 Uncovers 2 “Hello” Grammy winner 3 Characteristic 4 Diplomat’s finesse 5 Grammy-winning rocker Melissa 6 WNBA official 7 Modernizes for earthquake safety, e.g.

8 How some TV shows are aired 9 Poem of praise 10 Do English homework, say 11 ‘80s toon whose tummy can beam light 12 Donkey 13 The Floss or the Twist 14 Run ___ (go wild) 15 Rooms for family game nights 17 “Star Trek: T.N.G.” counselor 18 Tour of duty 19 Princess’s headwear 21 Shoppe descriptor 22 Uttered 27 Pious guys 30 Help in a bad way?

31 Boyfriend for a belle 33 Uncertainties 34 Where to hang at the playground?

36 Reverberation 37 Listen to, as advice 38 ___ out (just manages) 39 Identifier for the IRS 40 Exploratory spacecraft 41 Bus passenger

42 Compassion 45 Meh 46 Jewish wedding dance 47 A pro gamer may coach one 48 Shop with cold cuts 50 President Biden’s transport-inspired nickname 54 Reduce to a pulp 56 Imitates 57 Segment of a journey 61 Avenger with a hammer 62 Greeting in Madrid 63 Ale alternative 64 Endure 66 More unwelcoming 67 ___ blanche 68 Hobbyist’s sets 70 Crash into from behind 74 One who will assume the throne 75 In every respect 76 Need a massage, perhaps 77 Lyft competitor 78 Rock groups with loud outfits 79 Type of chocolate 80 Bawl 81 Well-educated people 82 “Stay out of this,” briefly 83 Tortoise’s foe 86 “___ be my pleasure!”

90 Leap with a pole 91 Lethargic mammal 92 Loads and loads 93 Signifier of rank in martial arts 97 Clears (of) 98 “Color” of envy 99 Great Plains tribe 100 Weasel’s aquatic relative 101 Betting unit in poker 102 Mascara target 104 Machu Picchu builder 105 Zilch 107 “That’s terrible!”

109 Pet that scratches 110 Identify on Instagram 111 Store postings (Abbr.)

By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“YXUGFA BZ DXA CUE HK CBKA. ...

DXHZA EXH CHHR HGCW DH DXA VUZD HP DXA VPAZAGD UPA YAPDUBG DH SBZZ DXA KTDTPA.” – LHXG K. RAGGAMW “PM PDP WT UYNUMT EOYYWZI PO WE EUBOT U YDZI EWPO ED IOE ED EAO EDL, XJE U TADKE EWPO ED IOE ED EAO XDEEDP.”

– PWYOM FMKJT

“SW UXW UZZ ... MUXL YK LCW CPVUJ XUBW ... SW JWWE LY NW BYVMUTTAYJULW UJE DAHAJD UJE RAJE SALC YJW UJYLCWX.”

– RULCWXAJW CWADZ

Puzzle Three Clue: P equals U

941.355.8437 | Bradenton

Puzzle Two Clue B equals K

Sarasota

KITCHENS, BATHROOMS, BEDROOMS & MORE

Puzzle One Clue F equals G

HARDWOOD

© 2021 NEA, Inc.

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

©2021 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

11-25-21

Made for where you live. Here!

RED PAGES 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.

Condos/Apts. for Rent

CAREGIVER/CUSTODIAN needed. Work at least 5 hours per day at $25 per hour. Flexible working days. Duties include: Medication reminders, meal preparation, and some light house cleaning. Interested candidates should contact: nnachheangelectro67@gmail.com

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE! 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

Autos Wanted CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

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

941809-3660, 941-809-3662.

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

2BR/2BA LONGBOAT KEY Beachplace 2BR/2BA. Gulf views, coastal contemporary updates.

Available Feb-Mar 2021. Call 941387-1840. Coldwell Banker Realty (941) 387-1840

GARAGE SALE

As low as $17.50 per week!

941-955-4888

Antiques/Collectibles

SEASONAL Rates

Perfect Solutions For Seniors

Beachfront, Bayfront and In Between Houses or Condos

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

* Assistance with Daily Living AcReservations 941-383-5577 wagnerlbkrentals@gmail.com Visa/MC

tivities * Hourly 24/7 Care -Affordable Rates * Licensed/ Bonded/ Insured

Phone (941) 809-1438 HHA# 299994819

5360 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Suite

Auto Transport

101 Longboat Key, FL 34228 Rental office 9a.m. - 5p.m.

Ask about our special rates!

Wagner Realty Since 1939 www.rentalsonlongboat.com

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.

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

CLAUDIA C. Cleaning Services.

Experienced, dependable, and ready to begin!

Residential.

Excellent references.

941-773-6895.

WE COME TO YOU

941.260.9114 | coolstuff4ulongboat@gmail.com

Transportation LONGBOAT LIMOUSINE Your local luxury transportation provider since 1994.

Painting CARLO DATTILO Painting Licensed & insured. Interior/ Exterior painting including drywall repair and retexturing.

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

Free estimates. 941-744-1020.

35+ years experience.

New luxury Sedans and SUVs. Fully Licenced and insured.

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

This week’s Crossword answers

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “Change is the law of life. ... Those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.”

John F. Kennedy Puzzle Two Solution: “My mom is always telling me it takes a long time to get to the top, but a short time to get to the bottom.”

Miley Cyrus Puzzle Three Solution: “We are all ... part of the human race ... we need to be compassionate and giving and kind with one another.”

Katherine Heigl

This week’s Sudoku answers

FAST • EASY • SAFE

941.270.4400

HoHoBuysCars.com

©2021 NEA, Inc.

Beauty

Auto Service

Gifts and Vintage Jewelry 6842 Gulf of Mexico Dr ive, Longboat Key, FL 34228

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

PERSONAL CHEF Healthy, delicious cuisine and special diets, prepared at your home for your lunch and/or dinner, 1-4 days a week; one or two weekends a month okay. Will shop and clean up. $30/hour, plus grocery costs. Minimum 3 hours.

Call Steven at 941-223-1869 or email: shodes63@gmail.com

Cleaning

5-Star Rated 367534

367528

WEEKLY MONTHLY

SELL YOUR CAR!

Watch Batteries Installed

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

©2021 Universal Uclick

Cool Stuff 4 U

We Buy & Sell Costume Jewelry, Coins, Watches

Home Services

PLACE YOUR AD: Call: 941-955-4888 Fax: 941-362-4808

Vacation/ Seasonal Rentals

M-F

Condos/Apts. for Rent

Color background: $ 5 per week Ad border: as low as $3 per week

Adult Care Services

LONGBOAT KEY/SEAPLACE Just renovated 3 br/2ba gulf front 2 lanais, new kitchen, neutral decor, available January- April. 2 month minium. $6500/mo. plus tax/fees. 248-761-7822

real estate

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.

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

15% DISCOUNT FOR 4-WEEK RUN

I am licensed Esthetician and Permanent Makeup Artist, using only natural and non-harming products for pigmentation and skin care.

SERVICES:

Microblading | Permanent Makeup | Micro-needling Eyelash Extensions | Saline Tattoo Removal Facials | Chemical Peels | Event Makeup | Waxing

368887

Help Wanted

2BR/2BA WHITNEY Beach, Longboat Key, 34228 Unexpectedly available for 2022 season, spacious first-floor condo with courtyard overlooking gardens and Bishop's Bayou next to swimming pool. $4250pm. + taxes + fees. Email jm.higgins@mail.com

CLEANING BY Brazilian Lady.

Meticulous, reliable, deep cleaning specialist. Residential.

Commercial. New Construction.

941-400-2866.

You’re only cheating yourself.

Autos Service

Homes for Rent

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.

First 15 words .................. $ 17.50 per week Each Add’l word ....... 50¢

Cleaning

peekers’ place

jobs

auto

LOOKING FOR a condo to lease for 3 months. In LBK, Lido or Downtown Sarasota. Must be at least 2,000 sq ft no steps, and nicely furnished 3 bedrooms. December - February or January March. Brokers welcome. Respond to:Brenbrook234@gmail.com

Vacation/ Seasonal Rentals

home services

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

redpages@yourobserver.com • yourobserver.com/redpages

RED PAGES AD RATES

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

813-998-6201 Elitebeautique

Elitebeautiquesalon

ELITE BEAUTIQUE LLC | 630 SOUTH ORANGE AVE, SUITE 200A | SARASOTA, FL 34236

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

Furniture Repair

SERVING YOU IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME

Massage

Patio Furniture Repairs.com

Harbour Square 4134 Gulf of Mexico Dr. Suite 208 941-524-9700 SymphonyMassage.com

368908

Furniture Sales & Repairs Cushions • Slings • Re-powdercoating

368912

941-504-0903

FREE PICKUP / DELIVERY • FREE ONSITE QUOTES

368913

Beauty

31

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

|

Open 7 Days a Week | Covered Parking & Elevator Access MM40360

Gun Shop

Power Washing

AMANDA

Pressure Washing

424-333-0713 | rockstarmobilehair@gmail.com

Pressure Washing

www.rockstarmobilehairsalon.com Carpet Cleaning

367715

CARPET, TILE, UPHOLSTERY CLEANING ODOR CONTROL • AREA RUG SPECIALIST

Serving AMI, LBK and BRADENTON for 25 YEARS

FREE CONSULTATION 941.358.2224 Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression provides safe, gentle & effective relief for upwards of 90% of patients that qualify for care.

BUZ CORP D/B/A

CONCRETE FUSION

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

Screening

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

• Pool Cage Restoration • Rescreening Specialists • Specialty Screens • Paint • Doors and more!

Satisfaction guarantee Satisfaction Guarantee Pool cage Restoration/ Rescreening specialists Manufacture and Workmanship Warranties

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC

Call Bobby • FREE Estimates 319-693-8800 or 941-374-7670

University Health Park 2415 University Parkway Bldg. 3, Suite 216 Sarasota, FL 34243

Doors

941-345-5264

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

specialty screens / screw replacement / paint

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

2X2 165000 07-14-21 EDS

MIC INSURANCE

368512

Dog Grooming

EXPERIENCE KNOWLEDGE SOLUTIONS

Home • Condo • Auto • Umbrella • Boat • Flood

367574

Lic./Ins.

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

25

UP TO

STANDARD WINDOWS

ows

140

$

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

SPECIAL 00 5

$

senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

Purified water window cleaning available!!

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941- 284 - 5880

CREATE BUZZ!

Advertise your business in the Red Pages.

Call 941-955-4888

Insurance Insurance

SECUR-ALL INSURANCE AGENCY

Sandra Smith

| 941.383.3388

510 BAY ISLES SUITE 1 •DRIVE LONGBOAT KEY, FL (Next to SUNTRUST 6350 GULFROAD, OF MEXICO | LONGBOAT KEY, FL 34228BANK)

CHUBB, AIG, UNIVERSAL, UNITED, SAFECO, PROGRESSIVE, VAULT, FLOOD, WE HAVE YOU COVERED!

CALL 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

367570

368910

Warranties

Form Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

Mike Mailliard ~ Lacey Weaver Allen Hovis ~ Chloe Gardner Matthew Mailliard ~ Julia McIlrevey Haley Jestings ~ Samantha Ryan Jaimie Simpkins

Find anything in the RED PAGES | 941-955-4888

Manufacture and workmanship

w & Pressure Cl indo345-5264 W(941) eani t e s n ng s a S u n u n w r o i s n e k Wind S erly

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

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

Windows

Res./Com.

Insurance

“FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE”

Doors and more!

367563

Sliding Glass Door Repair AMI SUN - COLOR AD

367591

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368213

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

Give Us a Call - We Can Help

CRACK REPAIR

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

Building & Roofing Contractor

Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

Concrete

95 EPLACE Don’t R Concrete d of Goo only 5% when cked! is cra

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc.

368513

368909

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DRIES IN HOURS – NOT DAYS • SATISFACTION GUARANTEED 941-778-2882 • 941-387-0607

| scaperotta@aol.com

Italian American Owned

368514

QUALITY THAT MATTERS WITH A HIGHER STANDARD OF CLEAN

941-544-1066

BEFORE

AFTER

Serving Sarasota/Manatee Area Since 2004

368914

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

• Deck/Paver And Much More

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021

ROGER SELLS

LUXURY WATERFRONT PROPERTIES

MORE THAN $200 MILLION PENDING AND SOLD IN 2021

3731 INDIAN BEACH PLACE

$6,495,000

15111 GADDY UP RANCH ROAD

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 accenting the nearly one-acre of property, extensive updates, and a beautifully elaborate interior that is ready for you to immediately enjoy.

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 and fine dining amenities of Sarasota. Offering newer structures, 6-stall horse barn, underground electric, deep-water well and space to build your own family compound.

www.3731IndianBeach.com

www.GaddyUpRanchSRQ.com

1300 CASEY KEY ROAD

$3,495,000

862 GRANDE PASS WAY

$3,100,000

Gulf-to-bay cottage with beach and bay access waiting for you to enjoy or make it your own! This unique parcel offers nearly 100’ of direct beach frontage with an additional peninsula that juts out to the sailboat waters of Little Sarasota Bay, and includes a protected dock in a sheltered basin.

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 enjoy.

www.1300CaseyKey.com

www.862GrandePassWay.com

1300 BEN FRANKLIN DRIVE #907

$2,950,000

1241 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE #805

Striking bay and city views perfectly complement an exclusive Ritz-Carlton lifestyle at this 9th-floor Beach Residences getaway. Offering a spacious 3,000+ SF interior reminiscent of single-family living, with walls of glass sliders that open to wraparound and guest terraces, plus two parking spaces.

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.

www.BeachResidences907.com

www.BeachResidences907.com

4725 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE #208

$695,000

$4,895,000

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’s open layout features a newer kitchen, plus sliders that open to the private garden patio.

www.SandCay208.com

www.BeachHarborClubB106.com

$1,899,000

$450,000

CALL TODAY FOR YOUR EXCLUSIVE TOUR (941) 387-1840 00

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 368231-1

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