Longboat Observer 12.2.21

LONGBOAT

Observer

Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

Looks like Christmas.

PAGE 14 FREE • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021

VOLUME 44, NO. 17

Optimism for the season

YOUR TOWN

Winter on Longboat Key is looking up as the temperatures fall up north. PAGE 3

Courtesy photo

Pettingell’s pie pickup

Shell we celebrate?

Santa was joined by a summer visitor and lots of friends at town tree-lighting.

PAGE 2

On the morning of Nov. 24, the Coldwell Banker Realty on St. Armands Circle operated more like a bakery than a real estate office. Realtor Roger Pettingell hosted his 19th annual Pie Day, in which he hands out Yoder’s Amish Bakery goodies to his customers. This year, he gave out about 130.

Customers pre-selected their pie from Pettingell and drove by to pick it up from the town’s top Realtor. If customers were out of town, Pettingell made a donation to All Faiths Food Bank instead of purchasing a pie.

“Pie Day is one of my favorite days of the year,” Pettingell said in a news release. “It gives us a chance to show our customers how thankful we are that they chose us to help them buy or sell their homes, and we get to see them and catch up.”

Nat Kaemmerer

Shelly the Turtle poses with Logan and Abigail Barber during Saturday evening’s town tree-lighting at Town Center Green.

A+E Strong words.

INSIDE

A setting like no other

Share with us!

Bacchus on the Beach returns to Longboat Key Club.

SEE PAGE 13

Nat Kaemmerer

Attendees took plates and glasses of wine out to the Gulf-side tent.

Longboaters do nothing halfway.

July Fourth parades, Easter egg hunts, cool cars that end in vowels (we’re looking at you Ferrari and Tesla owners).

So as the holiday season gets closer and closer to the big day, we want to share your taste in decorating with your neighbors.

The Observer will be on the lookout for homes and businesses decorated for the holidays. And we’ll be especially attentive to anyone who can pull off the winter wonderland look captured in the above photo.

Share with us what impresses you by emailing reporter Nat Kaemmerer at NKaemmerer@ YourObserver.com for possible publication in the Dec. 17 issue.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021

STILL TO COME

The following are upcoming events: Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4: Kiwanis Club Lawn Party Jan. 14, 2022 Farmers market Jan. 22, 2022: Concert on the Green by the Chamber of Commerce Feb. 5-6, 2022: Art Show and Festival by Howard Alan Feb. 11, 2022: Farmers market Feb. 19, 2022: Concert on the Green by the Chamber of Commerce March 11, 2022: Farmers market March 19, 2022: Concert on the Green by the Chamber of Commerce

Lighting a bright future Wendy Reichert, Nancy Rozance and Brigitte Burdick

Town residents gathered to spread Christmas cheer and light the oak trees in Town Center Green.

NAT KAEMMERER STAFF WRITER

O Above: Joanne and Larry Wilheln Below: Bonnie Schneider with Dave, Chase and Abi Clabeaux

Photos by Nat Kaemmerer

Above: Kaitlyn Kramer Reeves, Chris Pfahler and Marlo Turner from Tidewell Foundation Right: The town served marble cake.

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Watch, Save Our Seabirds, The Paradise Center, the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs of Longboat Key, the Longboat Library, Tidewell Foundation, Grants Garden and the Longboat Key Garden Club.

Chamber President Gail Loefgren welcomed the crowd to the event, and Mayor Ken Schneier listed town projects and accomplishments from throughout 2021 before lighting the tree. After a momentary bobble and a second countdown from the crowd, Schneier and Meador got the lights on, much to the delight of the assembled attendees. Kids ran to the glowing oaks to get a better look.

The Town Center Green is on its way to further upgrades in the coming year, with walkways, lighting and other facilities planned.

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n its third year, the annual Light Up Longboat event is starting to branch out — from the cheerful offerings on hand to the expansion of the oak trees illuminated for the holidays at Town Center Green. The third annual tree lighting saw its largest crowd on Nov. 27.

The holiday kickoff attracted families, visitors and residents alike, to grab a cup of hot chocolate and take in the wintry Florida night. Nick Ponitz, who was visiting with his family for the second year in a row, said they saw the flyer for the event in their condo and checked it out.

There was plenty to see, from 10 local organizations with informational tables stocked with candy and sweet treats set up around the burgeoning Town Center Green to Santa Claus doling out hugs and candy canes and, finally, to the five oak trees covered in blue lights, thanks to the hard work of Casa Del Mar’s Mark Meador and his team.

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce hosted the event along with the town, but other participants included Longboat Key Turtle

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021

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Nat Kaemmerer

Patrick and Sandy Bogert made it to Longboat Key early enough to display his photography at the Town Hall art show in November.

MANY HAPPY RETURNS

Mark Bergin

Courtesy photo

Visitors and residents take in the sights at Mote Marine Aquarium and Laboratory over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Longboaters are optimistic the 2021-2022 season is going to be a busy one.

MARK BERGIN AND NAT KAEMMERER STAFF WRITERS

P

atrick and Sandy Bogert were so determined not to spend another winter in Toronto that they plotted a James Bond-esque escape to Longboat Key from the Great White North, ready to put their plan into action as soon as the mercury began dropping.

With the southbound highway checkpoints between Canada and the U.S. still closed in October, the Bogerts booked a helicopter hop across the border to Buffalo, New York, where a car that had been shipped ahead was waiting for them.

They hadn’t been back to Longboat for 19 months, so they were ready to roll. More than ready.

“It took about 20 seconds to decide to come back,” Patrick Bogert said.

But before the first bars of their mission’s iconic theme music could play, a plan B rendered the shakennot-stirred operation unnecessary.

On Nov. 8, the U.S.-Canada border reopened — at midnight, naturally.

“There happens to be a Comfort Inn that’s literally three minutes from the border, … so we decided we would just kind of wake up whenever we woke up and go,” Bogert said. “We woke up about 3:30 in the morning, … and we were really quite surprised. There hardly seemed to be anybody there.”

Their papers in order, the Bogerts were on their way in 15 minutes, though a border agent called the midnight rush three hours earlier a “tsunami.” From there, they started driving south with a flurry of other Ontario license plates.

“It’s wonderful to be back in our

house,” Bogert said. “We love being on Longboat Key, and the beach is great. We’re finding things we’d forgotten that we tucked away. … And we feel very safe here. We are very cautious, but that’s what we’ve been doing for the past year and a half, so it’s not new to us.

“It’s great to see our friends again and touch base and see how everybody is and how they’ve gotten through the time.”

LONGBOAT LIFE RESUMES

All around Longboat Key, there are reasons to believe things are looking up this season. You see them on the tennis courts, on the golf courses, at the tourist attractions, on the roads, in the stores. More people, more positive attitudes, more smiles.

At this time last year, COVID-19 positivity rates were spiking following Thanksgiving travel, vaccines were not yet available, and mask usage was expected. And although word of a new COVID-19 variant is again circulating, with entry restrictions in place for foreign nationals from southern Africa, Chamber of Commerce President Gail Loefgren expressed her optimism that this was the season things return to normal.

“Maybe (it will) go back to the way it was in the early ’90s, which was huge,” she said. “We had tons of South Americans (and) Europeans, and a lot of people don’t remember that because they weren’t here. But I was here, and it was enormous.”

Longboat Key Public Tennis Center Manager Kay Thayer said she’s seen a steady influx in the past few weeks.

League play resumed this fall, and a United States Tennis Association seniors clay court event is underway this week with players arriving from across Florida and beyond.

Outdoor tennis this time of year is something hard to come by in the northern climates.

“There’s a lot of Canadians here,” she said. “There’s definitely a lot more people that didn’t come last year that are back this year.”

Tennis players Dave Huff and John Nicoletti traveled from Sebastian on Florida’s east coast to participate in the USTA tournament. They play in the 75-and-older age bracket and said they are happy to be back on the circuit.

Happy enough to kid each other about their ages and the next step up in age brackets, that is.

“He’s just gotta live until January,” Huff joked about his friend.

Over at Longboat Key Club, Golf Director Terry O’Hara said he spoke this week with a few members from Canada who hadn’t returned to the island in two years and were looking forward to a winter on the fairways.

“It’s a change for them because they’re coming down and it’s a whole different ballgame here,” O’Hara said.

SAFE ON THE KEY

Driving some of the resurgence is the 12-month change in the local pandemic landscape. Longboat Key’s vaccine rate among the island’s full-time residents has been close to 100% since July 2021. Longboat Key also dropped its mandatory mask policy inside town facilities on Oct. 19. Most of the vaccine talk revolves around booster shots.

As of Nov. 19, the Florida Department of Health provided Longboat Key data that shows Manatee County’s new case positivity rate is 2.4% and Sarasota County’s is 2.5%. Last

“Maybe (it will) go back to the way it was in the early ’90s, which was huge. We had tons of South Americans (and) Europeans, and a lot of people don’t remember that because they weren’t here. But I was here, and it was enormous.”

— Gail Loefgren

summer, those figures were in double digits.

Loefgren said her commute to the Chamber of Commerce offices from the mainland is beginning to look like late winter instead of early in the holiday season.

“It was like, ‘Oh, my gosh,’ and then last week I got stopped just over the bridge, which is where I normally get stopped in February,” she said.

Resident Cyndi Seamon said she’s seen evidence of a robust season around town, too.

“I would say snowbird season is going to be busier than it has been,” Seamon said. “I was at Mote (Marine Laboratory and Aquarium on Nov. 18), and there were more people there than I had seen in several months,” Seamon said.

Euphemia Haye Owner and Chef Ray Arpke said he’s not worried about crowds; rather, he’s concerned about getting enough food and staff to feed them.

“I mean, I can’t find graham cracker crumbs for God’s sake,” he said.

“We’re having to buy boxes of graham crackers and grind them up to make our pies.”

Arpke said Euphemia Haye had one of the best summers the restaurant has ever had in its 41-year history.

The restaurant is typically closed on Mondays but is open six days a week.

“I don’t know that it’s going to be normal,” Arpke said. “It’s going to be busy. I can guarantee you that because it already is.”

Business owners aren’t the only ones making adjustments with the return of season.

Fire Chief Paul Dezzi said the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department is entering its busiest time of year, when the town’s population normally swells to its peak through March.

The department keeps four firefighter-paramedics at all times in the town’s two fire stations, regardless of the time of year.

“We have more calls during that time,” Dezzi said. “(The other day), we had nine calls out here. During the season, we may get 15-16 calls, but that’s a little high right now.”

Ultimately, many said it’s nice to see familiar faces as more people arrive for the season.

“I’ve seen three or four guys, Canadian people, that I hadn’t seen in two years,” O’Hara said. “They’re like, ‘Thank God this is done with because I couldn’t take it anymore.’”

John Nicoletti and Dave Huff traveled to Longboat from Sebastian for a United States Tennis Association seniors tournament this week at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021

Private driveway request heads to Town Commission

We are there when you can’t be.

Town code requires a variance for proposed changes to the Arpke property.

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

Longboat Key resident Ray Arpke put it simply when asked about proposed changes for a driveway on his north-end property.

“In essence, all we’re doing is keeping our driveway,” Arpke said.

A subdivision variance already approved by the Planning and Zoning Board seeks to extend a 16-footwide private roadway with compacted shell between Cedar Street and Hibiscus Way. Town Code normally requires a 22-foot roadway and asphalt for the surface.

The reason the measure is before the town is the Arpkes decided to sell the two vacant lots on each side of their Cedar Street home.

“We did it as a backup in case we ever needed money, and what happened was the pandemic, and we kind of freaked out,” said Arpke, who owns Euphemia Haye with his wife, D’Arcy. “The restaurant got closed down, and we were like: ‘Well, what if we run out of money? What are we going to do?’”

Manatee County property records show the Arpkes sold 680 Cedar St. to Michael Kimball for $1.1 million on Oct. 30, 2020. RG Trust Services then bought it for $1.9 million on March 9.

Property records also show Kimball bought 681 Hibiscus Way on April 6 for $1.2 million. Frank Sands then bought it for $2.1 million on May 24.

Walter Smith, a survey manager of the Bradenton-based ESP Associates, submitted an application to the town on behalf of the Arpkes, Kimball and Sands.

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In addition to the P&Z Board’s 5-2 vote in favor of the proposal, town staff also recommend approval. P&Z board members Gary Coffin and Jay Plager were the two dissenting votes.

Plager explained his reasoning for voting against the measure even though he admitted approving it “makes good sense for the community and for the town.”

“The problem is we have a problem of the law, which I don’t see how we can in good faith say that holding this particular applicant to the law as it’s written would deprive (them) of the reasonable use of (their) land,” Plager said. “(They’re) going to use (their) land whether (they) get this exception or not.”

Arpke said the P&Z members who took the time to examine his property voted in favor of the variance. He also said the property owners cannot pull permits from the town until the variance is resolved.

If the measure is approved, the property owners plan to obtain a building permit to build the private roadway, which would connect Cedar Street and Hibiscus Way. The two roads do not connect now as it is currently configured.

The measure heads to the Town Commission for consideration on Dec. 6.

If the Town Commission approves the variance, crews will build a 16-footwide private roadway with compacted shell between Cedar Street and Hibiscus Way.

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

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021

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Town prepares for 2022’s new turtle rules Beginning this month, a series of outreach events will explain what’s required in the new year to comply with regulations.

WORKING TO IMPROVE

The town has a goal of reducing the rate of disorientations.

YEAR NESTS DISORIENTATIONS

2013 643 142 2014 544 168 2015 698 111 2016 1,205 153 2017 1,277 189 2018 993 160 2019 1,342 177 2020 1,136 130

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

Data provided by Longboat Key Planning, Zoning and Building

from turtle-friendly bulbs and turtle-friendly fixtures, minimizing the amount of light that reaches the beach. n Prohibiting temporary structures or portable recreation equipment within 5 feet of marked marine turtle nests. There is no such prohibition now. n Prohibiting the operation of motorized vehicles with some exceptions, such as for law enforcement, emergencies, permitted construction projects, or hotels and vacation rentals that have a recreational-use agreement with the town. A recreational-use agreement allows an entity to use vehicles to retrieve temporary structures or portable recreational equipment on the beach. n Requiring temporary structures to be removed from the beach nightly from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. during turtle nesting season.

Kopp said he believes the biggest changes are the new turtle-friendly bulbs and the recreational-use agreement.

The ordinance states “turtlefriendly bulbs” must be certified by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or a bulb that produces only long-wavelength light, which is less disruptive to turtles than white light.

“Any of the upland property owners want to store items out on the beach, such as lounge chairs and

umbrellas,” Kopp said. “They can continue to do so. However, they’re going to need this new recreational-use agreement submitted to the town, which just allows us to know what is out on the beach (and) where it’s being stored so that we can all make sure it’s being stored properly.”

Kopp said the town has already received a recreational-use agreement from the Vizcaya at Longboat Key. The condominium complex was the first to submit a new recreational-use agreement.

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium data shows a lower rate of sea turtle disorientations in 2021 compared to the eight-year average.

However, Seamon said it comes with the caveat of relocating many nests due to the town’s beach renourishment projects.

“Our disorientations were down, which is great, but this year was so weird because we relocated so many nests,” Seamon said. “Then those nests were all caged. It’s got to have a little asterisk next to it, right?

Because if I was going to relocate a nest, I didn’t put it someplace where I thought there was going to be a light problem.”

Kopp believes the relocations contributed to lower disorientation rates but said he looks at other data as well.

“The number I don’t have and another important number to look at is the survival rate because when

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In December 2020, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium crews released a rehabilitated sea turtle into the Gulf of Mexico.

we relocate nests or Mote relocates nests, the survivability actually goes down,” Kopp said. “And they try to relocate these nests in the most optimal points.”

Melissa Bernhard, a senior biologist at Mote Marine, provided a presentation in mid-November that showed crews moved 111 nests, or about 10,863 eggs, because of Longboat Key’s beach projects.

Among Longboat Key, Lido Key, Siesta Key, Casey Key and Venice in 2021, Bernhard said about 2,665 nests had at least one egg hatch, which is about 70.4% of the nests.

In 2021, Mote counted 75,204 hatched eggs in excavated nests among the five beaches. There are about 170,485 total hatched eggs.

Also, Mote counted 117,168 eggs laid in 1,211 nests this year. It estimates there were 260,870 total eggs laid. Bernhard estimated about 65.4% of the sea turtle eggs hatched in 2021. She also estimated that there were about 324 total nests lost due to storms this year.

Data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shows Longboat Key has a higher disorientation rate than many of the surrounding areas, which is the reason for the town’s new rules. Longboat Key’s approximate 10.5 miles of shoreline is larger than many other nearby coastal areas.

“There (are) so many contributing factors,” Kopp said. “Like I mentioned before, the lighting technology. Our population growth is skyrocketing, and as I mentioned, government and our rules and our regulations and our codes always seem to be playing catch up.

“We now see the unfortunate numbers of disorientations going up, and it’s our duty as the town, the state and federally to protect these turtles, and that’s why there was a need to update this ordinance.”

Kopp said the town will examine the Mote and FWC data in the next several years to determine the ordinance’s effectiveness.

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Cyndi Seamon says she’s seen Gulffront property owners already make changes to abide by the town’s revised sea turtle protections, even though the town has yet to deliver its first public outreach on the topic.

“I have heard people saying that they were making sure that their board is aware of it,” said Seamon, the Longboat Key Turtle Watch vice president. “They’re going to try and make sure everybody knows about these meetings.”

The town is scheduled to hold a one-hour meeting Dec. 20 with repeat meetings planned for Jan. 21 and March 14 at Town Hall. The Dec. 20 session is available on Zoom.

The town’s new sea turtle protections take effect Jan. 2, 2022, by law, but they are applicable during turtle season from May 1 to Oct. 31.

“It’s our responsibility,” Code Enforcement Officer Chris Kopp said. “I mean, the turtles were here first. We’re not trying to affect anybody’s quality of life. All we’re trying to do is coexist with the sea turtles that have been here for hundreds of thousands of years.”

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

“I think we can coexist here,” Kopp said. “We just need to make sure that we, as the humans, are being responsible and taking care of the animals that can’t do it for themselves.”

Specifically, here are some of the changes to Chapter 100 of the Town Code: n Requiring all sources of artificial light visible from the beach to come

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Sarasota home prices reach record ERIC GARWOOD MANAGING EDITOR

Median home prices in Sarasota County hit a record level in October, breaking a mark set earlier this year and helping elevate the two-county region into elite company statewide.

Median single-family home prices in October reached above $400,000 in just three metropolitan areas in Florida: Naples-Marco Island ($650,000), Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach ($494,000) and Bradenton-Sarasota-North Port ($415,389). In terms of condominium sales in October, the median price in Sarasota-Manatee ($302,900) was the state’s fifth highest.

Continuing to drive ever-higher prices are historically low inventories of properties for sale and speedy sales once they reach the market.

In Sarasota County, the median price for a single-family home rose to an all-time monthly high of $410,000 while time to contract fell more than 66% to seven days. In Manatee, the October median price rose to $425,000 while the time to contract fell to six days.

Across the two-county area, closed sales were down, a reflection of the smaller-than-normal inventory. Agents in Sarasota and Manatee counties represented a total of 2,037 sales in October, a 15.5% decrease from October 2020.

According to the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee, single-family home sales in Sarasota County decreased by 15.2% to 788 sales while Manatee County singlefamily sales decreased by 12.3% to 672 sales. Condo closed sales decreased by 24.6% to 319 sales in Sarasota and decreased by 11.6% to 258 sales in Manatee.

Alex Krumm, the president of the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee said in a statement to expect little change in 2022.

“Buyers should be prepared to be patient,” he said. “Competition will be fierce for the foreseeable future, and there isn’t a market correction around the corner. Buyers who have already taken advantage of this mar-

SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES

October median prices by metro area, with yearover-year change: LOCATION MEDIAN CHANGE $650,000 +16.0% Naples-Marco Island Miami-Fort Lauderdale-WPB $494,000 +16.4% North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton $415,389 +18.1% Crestview-Fort Walton-Destin $399,900 +13.0% Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford $375,000 +20.3% Cape Coral-Fort Myers $368,000 +21.0% Port St. Lucie $350,000 +22.8% Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater $348,000 +22.1% Jacksonville $342,655 +18.2% The Villages $332,000 +11.0%

CONDOS AND TOWN HOMES

October median prices by metro area, with yearover-year change: LOCATION MEDIAN CHANGE Crestview-Fort Walton-Destin $500,000 +28.5% Naples-Marco Island $375,000 +25.0% $355,000 +10.9% Panama City Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent $347,000 +1.2% North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton $302,900 +16.5% The Villages $283,000 +29.8% Cape Coral-Fort Myers $275,050 +25.9% Miami-Fort Lauderdale-WPB $269,000 +19.6% Punta Gorda $252,200 +24.2% Melbourne-Palm Bay $249,450 +17.1% Source: Florida Realtors

ket are being rewarded handsomely, and we expect those rewards will keep on coming through the first part of the year.”

Florida as a whole is experiencing a similar market.

Across Florida in October, median prices were up 17.7% to $358,950, according to Florida Realtors, which collects data from local real estate organizations. The median price for condos or town homes was $260,000, up 17.6%.

“In 2020, Florida’s housing market had perhaps the best second half of any year in recent memory,” said Erica Plemmons, Florida Realtors’ economist and director of statistics, in a statement.

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021

OPINION / OUR VIEW

LONGBOAT

One county for Longboat It makes sense. But two things are missing: a champion to pull it off and citizens who want it.

S

arasota County Commissioner Christian Ziegler is right. It would take a champion.

A strong, indefatigable, passionate, committed champion to lead and guide everyone involved to agree on a most difficult objective: consolidating Longboat Key into Sarasota County.

That topic came up again in November before the Longboat Key Town Commission after the commission received a 34-page report from the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability analyzing and assessing what it would take to shift the town into either Manatee or Sarasota county.

It would be a Herculean, yearslong task.

But why even do it? It’s all about the money and efficiency.

Talk of ending the split of Longboat Key between Manatee and Sarasota counties has festered for decades. In fact, there have been many occasions when town commissioners (and this newspaper) have advocated an even more radical idea than consolidating into one county: seceding from both Manatee and Sarasota counties and forming Florida’s 68th county.

That proposition usually surfaces when the Manatee or Sarasota county commissions or school boards treat the town with indifference and disdain, forgetting that Longboat Key taxpayers send $136 million a year in property taxes across the bay to the county and school governments.

Longboat’s Manatee taxpayers send $32.2 million to Manatee County and $13.9 million to the school district. Longboat’s Sarasota taxpayers send $61.5 million to Sarasota County and $28.7 million to the school district.

No wonder Longboat taxpayers and town commissioners often ask what Longboaters get in return.

Not enough, to be sure.

And although it’s tempting sometimes to think of Longboat seceding and becoming its own county, that idea is even more daunting of a journey than consolidating the town into one county. There is no way either of the counties or school boards would allow secession and let all that money disappear.

Instead, about five years ago former Longboat Key Commissioner Irwin Pastor proffered the idea of consolidating Longboat into Sarasota County. Pastor knew it

THE FULL REPORT Hover your cellphone camera over the QR code below to read the 34-page report analyzing a possible consolidation of Longboat Key into one county.

would be difficult and take years.

But two things drove him: the money Longboat’s Manatee residents would save in taxes and the savings that would come from eliminating the duplicate tasks and costs required of the town staff.

Pastor favored the idea of consolidating into Sarasota County, primarily because of what it would save Longboat’s Manatee taxpayers in property taxes. If you combined all of the property taxes for both counties, a Manatee taxpayer whose home is assessed at $1 million would save nearly $2,600 a year — 15% less than now. That adds up fast.

Pastor also liked how consolidation would make town government less expensive and more efficient.

But he also knew this challenge: Manatee County would never go for the idea unless there was some type of land swap with Sarasota County that would replace the tax dollars Longboat Key generated.

Pastor told us once that land is in Northeast Sarasota County, parts of which are in Lakewood Ranch.

He’s right.

But who can make that deal happen? More important, though, is whether Longboat Key’s Manatee County taxpayers want that tax savings badly enough.

As noted in the OPPAGA report: “Consolidating the Key into one county was not a high priority for a majority of Longboat Key residents responding to an April 2021 survey.

Among 11 local issues, consolidation of the Key into one county and replacing the Bayfront Recreational Center were the only two issues that fewer than half of respondents ranked as important.”

It would be ideal for Longboat’s Manatee property owners to pay Sarasota County property tax rates, and it would be ideal for the town’s government operations to deal with only one county. The benefits over time would exceed the costs. But as Ziegler pointed out: Where is the

PROS AND CONS OF LBK CONSOLIDATION LEAVE LBK DIVIDED BETWEEN TWO COUNTIES All county services, city agreements and current financing agreements remain the same.

ADVANTAGES n Avoids the expense, time, effort and disruption of moving the county line. n No negative impact on either county’s school district tax revenues. n No negative impact on either county’s other tax revenues. n No additional cost to residents for location transition, such as costs to change legal documents. n Consolidating the Key into one county was not a high priority for a majority of Longboat Key residents responding to an April 2021 survey. Among 11 local issues, consolidation of the Key into one county and replacing the Bayfront Recreational Center were the only two issues that less than half of respondents ranked as important.

DISADVANTAGES n The town would continue to have duplication of some county or state departments, services or processes (e.g., emergency management, property appraisal and permitting and enforcement). n The town would continue to incur some financial impacts from duplication, such as the cost of having two supervisors of elections and staff attending/preparing documents for boards or committees in two counties. n Residents would continue to experience a split in transit services and differences in transit wait times between the Manatee and Sarasota sides of the Key. n Potential benefits of having the town in one county, such as justifying placement of a library on the Key, would not be realized.

CONSOLIDATE LBK WITH SARASOTA COUNTY Contingent on the two counties working out a mutually agreeable transition plan that addresses any outstanding debt.

ADVANTAGES

n Residents currently in the

Manatee portion of Longboat Key would save approximately 12% annually on their property taxes. n Consolidates the Key under one county and thus avoids duplication of some county or state departments, services or processes. n The town would no longer incur financial impacts from duplication. n Fewer residents would pay costs associated with location transition, such as costs to change legal documents, than if the Key were consolidated within Manatee County. n Shorter lead time for transit services. Sarasota County provides transit services with 30 minutes’ notice, compared to a reservation by 5 p.m. the prior day for Manatee County. n Continuity of critical services currently provided by Sarasota County, including emergency dispatch services. n Greater density of residents might justify additional county services, such as a public library, on the Key as important.

DISADVANTAGES n The Manatee County School District would lose approximately $13.9 million in tax revenue annually while avoiding expenses for only 38 students. n Manatee County would lose approximately$14.4 million in tax revenue annually without an entirely commensurate loss of responsibility for services. n Longboat Key might need to make new provisions for critical services currently provided by Manatee County, including water, wastewater and use of a landfill. n Some residents would pay costs associated with location transition, such as costs to change legal documents. n Developers in the affected area on Longboat Key would pay higher impact fees for new construction, as Sarasota County charges more types of impact fees than Manatee County. n Longboat Key would lose the $60,000 that Manatee County pays to offset the cost of beach patrol at the town’s park.

Source: Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

incentive for the champion to step forward and take on this sensible, but Herculean, cause?

“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 Director of Advertising / Jill Raleigh, JRaleigh@YourObserver.com Sales Manager / Penny Nowicki, PNowicki@YourObserver.com Digital Sales and Business Development Manager / Kathleen O’Hara,KOHara @YourObserver.com Senior Advertising Executive / Laura Ritter, LRitter@YourObserver.com Advertising Executives / Richeal Bair, RBair@YourObserver.com; Beth Jacobson, BJacobson@YourObserver.com; Jennifer Kane, JKane@YourObserver.com; Honesty Mantkowski, HMantkowski@YourObserver. com; Toni Perren, TPerren@YourObserver. com; Brenda White, BWhite@ YourObserver.com Classified Advertising Sales Executive / Audri Ferguson, AFerguson@ YourObserver.com Sales Operations Manager / Susan Leedom, SLeedom@YourObserver.com Sales Coordinator / Account Manager Lori Downey, LDowney @YourObserver.com Advertising Assistant / Sam Johnson, SJohnson@YourObserver.com Digital Fulfillment Specialist / Emma Burke, EBurke@YourObserver.com Tributes Coordinator / Kristen Boothroyd, Tributes@YourObserver.com Director of Marketing / Robin Lankton, RLankton@YourObserver.com Marketing Coordinator / Samantha Dischinger, SDischinger@YourObserver.com Director of Creative Services / Caleb Stanton, CStanton@YourObserver.com Creative Services Administrator / Marjorie Holloway, MHolloway@ YourObserver.com Advertising Graphic Designers / Luis Trujillo, Louise Martin, Shawna Polana Digital Developer / Jason Camillo, JCamillo@YourObserver.com Director of Information Technology / Adam Quinlin, AQuinlin@YourObserver.com Chief Financial Officer / Laura StricklandLStrickland@YourObserver.com Controller / Rafael Labrin, RLabrin@ YourObserver.com Office and Accounting Coordinator / Donna Condon, DCondon@ YourObserver.com

Historic moment: Republicans outnumber Democrats It’s probably safe to say most oldtime Florida Republicans never thought they’d live to see the day — the day Florida’s Republican Party voters outnumbered Florida’s Democratic Party voters.

But it’s here. A historic moment in Florida politics.

At the end of October, the Florida Department of State Division of Elections confirmed registered Republicans outnumber registered Democrats by 4,318 voters.

For Republicans, it’s a moment to

rejoice. Leading up to the 2020 general presidential election, Republicans shivered over the prospect of losing more ground to Democrats in voter rolls because of an influx of Democrats from hurricane-torn Puerto Rico. Republican loyalists feared the state was on the verge of once and for all shifting from a purple hue to a blue state.

But that didn’t happen. Donald Trump tripled his margin of victory over Joe Biden compared to that of his 2016 victory over Hillary Clin-

ton — margins of 371,686 in 2020 versus 112,911 in 2016.

Even with that size of victory, however, at the end of 2020, Democrats still outnumbered Republicans by 134,242 registered voters.

But then came all of the Biden disasters — a gift for the Republican Party of Florida.

You would think Biden made it easy for Republicans to recruit new members. Likewise, given the influx of people fleeing the big lockdown states of New York, New Jersey and

BY THE NUMBERS: VOTER REGISTRATIONS 2020 VS. 2021

As of the end of October, registered Republicans for the first time in Florida history outnumber registered Democrats, according to the Florida Department of State Division of Elections.

% of Total Registered

2020 2021 Chg. % Chg. 2020 / 2021 FLORIDA Republicans 5,169,012 5,118,357 -50,655 -1.0% 35.8%/35.8% Democrats 5,303,254 5,114,039 -189,215 -3.5% 36.7% / 35.7% Non-Party Affiliates 3,753,286 3,814,567 +61,218 +1.6% 25.9% / 26.6% SARASOTA COUNTY Republicans Democrats Non-Party Affiliates

144,775 106,151 84,121

150,851 106,723 91,231

6,076 572 7,110

+4.2% +0.5% +8.4%

42.5% / 42.4% 31.2% / 30.0% 24.7% / 25.6%

MANATEE COUNTY Republicans Democrats Non-Party Affiliates

118,375 83,648 67,345

120,345 82,170 69,422

1,970 1,478 2077

+1.6% -1.7% +3.0%

43.3% / 43.4% 30.6% / 29.6% 24.6% / 25.0% Source: Florida Division of Elections

California for Florida, you might logically conclude the majority of the people leaving those states most likely would lean Republican — and thus boost Republican voter rolls.

Indeed, that would make a greater story for Florida’s Republicans if their numbers actually grew after the 2020 elections thanks to people fleeing blue states.

But the numbers show that not to be true. Republicans simply lost far fewer voters than did the Democrats since the 2020 elections. As the chart shows, Democrat voter rolls shrunk by 189,215 while Republicans lost 50,655 voters.

Florida Democrats responded to falling behind Republicans by saying in a news release that Secretary of State Laurel Lee, a Republican, has been reclassifying more Democratic voters as inactive than Republicans.

Ah, politics. Don’t they make you sick to your stomach? Nothing is what it is.

But for now, it’s history: Republican voters outnumber Democrats.

The truth, for sure, will be known with the mid-term elections in November 2022.

Thanks to Joe Biden, Florida is on the verge of shifting from purple not to blue but to a definitive red.

Let the voter registration battles begin.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

Developers submit offers for St. Armands land Sarasota has received five proposals to purchase a Fillmore Drive property near St. Armands Circle, though parking issues might complicate any sale.

DAVID CONWAY DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR

A

fter the Sarasota City Commission indicated its willingness to consider offers for redeveloping the Fillmore Drive parking lot on St. Armands Circle, four developers have made offers to purchase the property.

The offers the city received for the 1.98-acre site range in price from $5 million to $11.78 million. Three of the proposals include a hotel and grocery store, two feature a residential component, and one offer includes no plans for the future of the property.

The private interest in the Fillmore Drive lot dates to May, when representatives for JWM Management presented conceptual plans for the city-owned site to the commission.

JWM outlined its desire to construct a hotel, a Morton’s grocery store and residences on the site. A majority of city commissioners expressed interest in the concept, voting 4-1 to direct staff to work with the developer on how to advance consideration of the proposal.

Rather than going through a formal process to solicit proposals from other developers interested in the site, in August the commission said it was open to receive any offers for the Fillmore Drive site from prospective purchasers.

In September and October, City Attorney Robert Fournier informed officials that the city’s paid parking program on the Circle could affect any plans to sell the Fillmore property. The city agreed to use paid

parking revenue to fund the construction of the Adams Drive parking garage on St. Armands. Under the terms of a bond agreement, the city is not allowed to take any action that would negatively affect paid parking revenue — which means any development plans that reduce the number of public parking spaces could be a no-go.

Of the development offers the city received, only the JWM Management proposal maintains the 268 existing spaces in and around the Fillmore Drive lot. The proposal from Gregory Thomas Leonard suggests an alternate solution for lost revenue from any eliminated spaces: Leonard offers to match the revenue the parking lot currently generates, paying into the city’s parking fund until the bond is paid.

Martin Hyde, a critic of the city’s consideration of the JWM Management proposal, made the only offer to purchase the lot that includes no development plans. In August, Hyde said his $5 million offer for the property should force officials to go through a formal solicitation process for bids to purchase the land.

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9

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021

PARKING LOT PROPOSALS Purchase offer: Fair market value as determined by an appraiser, with consideration for the expense of providing up to 268 public parking spaces

Purchaser: Gregory Thomas Leonard Development plan: 60-room hotel, 50,000 square feet of commercial space with retail, a restaurant, a grocery store, more than 200 parking spaces Purchase offer: $8 million

The JWM Management proposal is the only offer the city received without a specific purchase price.

The proposal calls for a third-party appraiser to determine the value of the land, with some consideration given to JWM Management’s plans to build a garage with up to 268 public parking spaces. In September, Fournier informed the commission that a credit for the construction of a parking garage could substantially reduce the purchase price of the land, but commissioners said they were still willing to hear offers.

Purchaser: Martin Hyde Development plans: N/A Purchase offer: $5 million

Purchaser: Jebco Ventures and Property Markets Group Development plans: 47 condos, 12,500 square feet of commercial space, 80 private and 90 public parking spaces Purchase offer: $8.5 million Purchaser: JWM Management Development plans: 98room hotel, 11 town homes, 12,000-square-foot grocery store, up to 270 parking spaces

Purchaser: Ocean Properties Development plan: 63-room hotel with possible inclusion of a 15,000-square-foot grocery store, 175 parking spaces Purchase offer: $8.18 million for hotel only; $11.78 million for hotel and grocery. Price contingent on number of approved hotel rooms and seats at lobby bar.

Courtesy rendering

Above: Jebco Ventures and Property Markets Group proposed a residentialfocused, mixed-use project.

Left: JWM Management, the first company to approach the city this year about redeveloping the Fillmore Drive site, is seeking to build above the existing height limit on St. Armands.

File rendering

The Tidewell Foundation and Empath Health welcome you to the Tidewell Foundation Building showcasing an outstanding group of health and wellness organizations ready to brighten the lives of the Longboat Key community.

To learn more, call 941-552-7546 or visit TidewellFoundation.org.

540-546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key

MOVIES 1pm Matinees December 2 “A Star is Born” December 16 “Holiday Inn”

To play, email MaryAnnBrady@ TheParadiseCenter.org

WEDNESDAYS 10-11am Tai Chi 1-4pm Duplicate Bridge To play, call Jeff 941.567.8078 2-3pm Grieve Not Alone RSVP 941.383.6493

LOSE TO WIN™ © with Mirabai Holland!

Ready to shed some pounds? Join us for an 8-week education and health coaching program designed to help you find your personal path to healthy weight. Thursdays at TPC starting January 13, 2022. $295 for 8 weeks.

10% Discount for TPC Members! REGISTER by January 11: mirabai@movingfree.com OR call 201-956-1466.

MEDICAL SUITE

544 Bay Isles Road

Call each practice directly to make your appointment!

MONDAYS & THURSDAYS Primary Care 941.748.8400

WEDNESDAYS Podiatry 941.921.3000

ConnexisMedical.org

SarasotaFootDoctors.com

Ear/Nose/Throat/Audiology 941.366.9222

FRIDAYS Dermatology 941.926.6553

FirstPhysiciansGroup.com

LuminaryDermatology.com

FRIDAYS 10-11am Tai Chi

THURSDAYS 10-11am Zumba & Pilates Walk-Ins Welcome for Fitness Classes!

FREE for Members $10/Non-Members

2021 MEMBERS: Renew your membership by January 21, 2022 & be entered for the chance to WIN a gift certificate to the Lazy Lobster of Longboat!

11am-12pm Meditation & Stress Relief

Membership Details & More Info:

TheParadiseCenter.org 941.383.6493

Changing Lives Forever Group & Individual Counseling, Caregiver Support, Seminars, Discussion Groups & more.

540 Bay Isles Road

JFCS-Cares.org 941.366.2224 JFCS is excited to be serving the LBK community!

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TUESDAYS 10-11am Qi Gong 11am-12pm Hula Dance RSVP 941.383.6493 1-3pm Mah Jongg

MONDAYS 10-11am Stretch & Strengthen 1-3pm Thinking Out Loud Discussion Group Walk-Ins Welcome!

546 Bay Isles Road TheParadiseCenter.org

YOUR CALENDAR

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

FRIDAY, DEC. 3

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

Caroling begins at 6 p.m., followed

by Santa’s arrival and a tree-lighting.

Families can take photos with Santa from 6:30-8 p.m. Call 388-1554 for information.

SATURDAY, DEC. 4

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 Blues PIG. Proceeds benefit Children’s Guardian Fund.

Tickets are $75, and raffle tickets are $50. Visit LBKLawnParty.org for information or to buy tickets.

ORIGAMI DELIGHT From 1-3 p.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, learn origami with award-winning origami artist Kuniko Yamamoto. This in-person program teaches creating paper sculptures step by step for all levels. Class is $30 for members and $35 for nonmembers. To register call 383-8222, email EducationCenter@tbi-lbk.org, or visit TBIEducationCenter.org.

MONDAY, DEC. 6

MONDAY FILM CLUB: HIDDEN GEMS From 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, with film critic Gus Mollasis. Students will view a “hidden gem” movie and discuss.

This class is $40 for members and $45 for nonmembers and can be taken on Zoom. There is a second session Dec. 13. To register, call 383-8222, email EducationCenter@ tbi-lbk.org, or visit TBI EducationCenter.org.

TUESDAY, DEC. 7

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021

THE GLORY THAT WAS GREECE! From 1-2:30 p.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, discuss Greek art, mythology, literature and architecture. This program is three sessions on Tuesdays on Zoom only. Cost is $60 for members and $70 for nonmembers. To register call 383-8222, email EducationCenter@tbi-lbk.org, or visit TBI EducationCenter.org.

SATURDAY, DEC. 11

LONGBOAT LIBRARY BOOK SALE From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the lawn of the Longboat Library, 555 Bay Isles Road, shop used books, movies and games.

RECURRING EVENTS MONDAYS

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

Call 383-6493.

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

Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

LONGBOAT LIBRARY The Longboat Library is open again from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visit the library at 555 Bay Isles Road. Call 383-2011 for information.

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS

LORD’S WAREHOUSE THRIFT STORE The thrift store will be open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 6140 GMD. Donations are accepted during business hours.

Call 383-4738.

TUESDAYS

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

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

MAHJONG From 1-3 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Fun time for

experienced players. To check availability at the tables or to be put on a waitlist for a beginner class, RSVP to MaryAnnBrady@TheParadiseCenter. org or 383-6493.

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

WEDNESDAYS

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

GRIEVE NOT ALONE At 2 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. This new peersupport group will bring together people who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Refreshments are served. RSVP by calling 3836493.

THURSDAYS

KIWANIS CLUB OF LONGBOAT KEY At 8:30 a.m. at Lazy Lobster, 5350 Gulf of Mexico Drive. This service organization meets every first and third Thursday of the month for breakfast and a speaker. Breakfast is $10. Email Lynn Larson at LynnLarson@comcast.net to register.

ST. ARMANDS KEY LUTHERAN CHURCH BRIDGE CLUB Every Thursday beginning at 1 p.m. at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, 40 N. Adams Drive, join an ACBL-sanctioned game of contract bridge with a certified teacher and director, Peter Cleaves. All skill levels are welcome. There is an $8 suggested donation for each session.

Refreshments will be provided. RSVP to Cleaves at 952-9251.

ZUMBA AND MAT PILATES FOR SENIORS From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. The class, designed for active seniors, starts with Zumba and shifts to all-level mat Pilates at 10:30 a.m. Come for 30 minutes or the full hour. Cost is

BEST BET

File photo

MONDAY, DEC. 6

CHRISTMAS IN THE GARDEN AT LONGBOAT ISLAND CHAPEL Beginning Nov. 28 and going 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.

$10. Walk-ins welcome. Call 3836493 for information.

FRIDAYS

MEDITATION AND STRESS RELIEF From 11 a.m. to noon at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road, take a meditation and stress-relief class with Sandi Love. She will take you through a visualization that uses all of your senses and allows you to calm down. Cost is $10 for nonmembers, free for members. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

TAI CHI From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Reuben Fernandez teaches the class outdoors, weather permitting. Cost is $10 for nonmembers, free for members.

Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

VIRTUAL COCKTAIL HOUR 5 p.m. on Zoom with Temple Beth Israel, join for a themed cocktail hour.

The Temple is holding “My Jewish Journey,” a series of talks from congregation members. The hour leads into the temple’s virtual Shabbat dinners. Contact iazerad@tbi-lbk.org or info@tbi-lbk.org for information.

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FRIDAY, NOV. 19

NIGHTY NIGHT 9:52 p.m., 4400 block of Exeter Drive Noise complaint: At least two reports of construction noise coming from inside a residential unit prompted police to pay a visit. An officer spoke to a person inside who said he was installing sinks. The officer made clear such work was not permitted past 5 p.m. by town regulations and that he would have to stop for the night. The man said he would comply.

TUESDAY, NOV. 23

HOLIDAY HAZARD 6:42 p.m., 500 block of Bay Isles Parkway Traffic hazard: Police investigated a report of a traffic hazard and discovered a lift vehicle installing holiday decorations. An officer reported the vehicle was properly marked with cones around it.

SATURDAY, NOV. 20

SUSPICIOUS, WITH AN EXPLANATION 7:56 p.m., 600 block of Emerald Harbor Drive Suspicious vehicle: Residents who had grown concerned about a trailer parked for several days in the street adjacent to a construction site reported the vehicle to police as suspicious. An officer determined the trailer belonged to the contractor building the home on the property.

SUNDAY, NOV. 21

BETTER TELL THE BOSS 8:22 a.m., 700 block of Broadway Street Alarm: Police responded to a business after receiving a report of an activated intruder alarm on the premises. Officers arrived and spoke to an employee of the business who said she had triggered the alarm when she arrived. Her story was confirmed.

‘IT LOOKED ODD’ 9:44 a.m., Linley Street Boat Ramp Suspicious person: A person called police to report a man with two girls rowing ashore in a small boat and then spending time collecting shells. An officer assigned to the case spoke to the man, who said he and his daughters were waiting for a ride from the man’s motherin-law after coming ashore from a sailboat moored in the harbor. The children were deemed not to be in peril, and there was no evidence of wrongdoing. A check of the sailboat confirmed the man’s identity and hometown. A reconnection to the person who made the original report revealed she saw them paddling in their boat and that “it looked odd.”

FLAGPOLE ADVICE 11:16 a.m., 0 block of Lighthouse Point Drive Citizen assist: Police went to a residence in connection with a citizenassistance call over a malfunctioning flag pole. The caller said he was having difficulty with the flagpole’s pulley system and needed an extension ladder to reach 35 feet into the air. The officer replied that the police department has no such gear and that the prudent thing to do would be to safely disassemble the mechanism from the ground because it was permanently installed alongside a boat dock.

IN GEAR 10:07 p.m., 2500 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Traffic hazard: A police officer on patrol spotted a stopped vehicle in the travel lanes and turned around to render assistance. When the officer arrived, the driver was on the phone with the rental company from which the car came, arranging for a tow. The driver said the vehicle stopped running and could not be shifted into neutral to allow for it to be pushed off the road. The officer parked behind and activated his patrol vehicle’s flashing lights to alert motorists of the trouble. A tow truck arrived more than an hour after the initial contact was made.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021

13

Photos by Nat Kaemmerer

Above: Tiny cupcakes inspired by cocktails were available for dessert.

Right: University of South Florida hospitality industry liaison and professor Joe Askren with USF students

Bacchus on the Beach celebrates wine

B

acchus on the Beach would have done its Roman namesake proud. The Longboat Key Club event put fine wine and indulgent food front and center, and dozens of attendees ate, drank and danced on the sand on Nov. 19, just like the god of wine would’ve wanted.

Attendees spent most of the evening with their shoes off and their wine glasses full of sips from dozens of wineries. Longboat Key Club staff kept plates full, too, but the real feature was the mound of stone crab in the middle for which the event is known.

Proceeds from the evening went to the University of South Florida’s hospitality program, which will use the money for equipment and course funding. The partnership started at 2019’s Bacchus on the Beach, though the Longboat Key Club

Jackie Detert and Danielle Christensen

Janet and Jon Bridgford

and USF had been working together long before that. The Longboat Key Club is the teaching hotel of USF’s hospitality program, so many students have come through to do classes, internships and even careers.

“They need that experiential learning,” USF Coordinator of Food and Beverage Joe Askren said.

“They may not know all the opportunities in the hospitality industry, but here they can discover a lot of them.”

Several USF students staffed the evening, welcoming guests and overseeing the silent auction.

Elsewhere under the tent, attendees snagged dinner and dessert and converged under the stars near the Gulf of Mexico.

—NAT KAEMMERER

Heather Smith and Mary Elizabeth Howe

Above: Live music followed light string music.

Right: Roger Pettingell, Alisa Pettingell and Gerhard Randa

Erik Anderson, Michael Helmer, Nicole Carbon and Craig Strange

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 368249-1

Growingin inJesus Jesus’’Name Name Growing

368111-1

• 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

368153-1

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.

368174-1

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

368181-1

• Walk-up Church - listen to the service outside

941-383-8161 • www.AllAngelsLBK.org

Michelle MacLean and Lynn Hay from Kendall Jackson Winery

Classifieds 28 Games 27 Real Estate 23 Weather 27

DECEMBER 2, 2021

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Apricot Lane Boutique welcomes shoppers with a holiday-themed display.

LONGBOAT KEY IS BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS NAT KAEMMERER STAFF WRITER

W

ithout that telltale chill creeping in and snow flurries fluttering down, how do you really know it’s Christmas on Longboat Key? To the trained eye, there are sights on and around this island that clue in the culmination of cheer. Here’s how you can tell it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas on Longboat Key.

TAKE A LOOK AT TOWN CENTER GREEN, GLISTENING ONCE AGAIN…

The tree-lighting tradition is solidifying as the town of Longboat Key and the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce held the third annual Light Up Longboat event Nov. 27.

The goal is to add more lights to the five oaks in Town Center Green every year until they’re fully covered in glittering blue. This year, the oaks were wrapped in lights up to their branches, and the retaining wall around the trees had a few strands of lights on it, as well.

CROWDS IN EVERY STORE…

Longboat Key area businesses started to see the bustle of the holiday season in the run-up to Thanksgiving. Heather Rippy, the owner of Driftwood Beach Home and Garden at Whitney Beach Plaza, is experi-

encing her first season in business and said holiday shoppers started sooner than expected.

“Definitely in the last two weeks I had a lot of people both browsing and shopping,” Rippy said. “Someone asked for Christmas wrapping in September. It made me uncomfortable to have Christmas stuff out so early, but even the day before Thanksgiving, I sold a ton of Christmas decorations.”

Rippy is devoted to supporting small businesses like hers and stocks a lot of locally made ornaments.

They’ve sold well, but she said she can easily get more.

Meanwhile, on St. Armands Circle, businesses enjoyed a busy day on Nov. 27. Just/Because Owner Barbara Pugliese, who is the chair for the St. Armands region of American Express’ Small Business Saturday, said she had waves of people throughout the day.

A BIN OF TOYS FOR TOTS, FULL TO THE TOP, IS THE WISH OF ALL IN THE TOWN…

The town has put out a Toys for Tots bin since 1998, and every year, the season ends with a full-to-bursting bin of bounty for local kids. Even before Thanksgiving, the bin in Town Hall had several items in it. The bin will be accepting toys until the end of the second week of December.

THERE’S A TREE IN THE DRIFTWOOD BEACH. ONE AT THE SALON AS WELL…

Several stores have put their most festive foot forward in the past week, including Driftwood Beach Home

and Garden and Design 2000. The businesses, which are next-door neighbors in Whitney Beach Plaza, are both now decked out in Floridian cheer.

At Driftwood Beach, Rippy put out several small velvet and shellencrusted trees flanking the centerstage spruce with locally made ornaments on its boughs. Next door at the salon, co-Owner Irina LaRose put up their tree the day after Thanksgiving.

Meanwhile, south on St. Armands Circle, tons of shops put out their decorations for the first big shopping weekend of the season, including Apricot Lane Boutique and Just/ Because, which both welcomed customers with a festive display at the front of the store.

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS. RED KETTLE BELLS WILL START…

Longboat Key Salvation Army bell-ringing organizer Chris Sachs deemed Nov. 26 “Bell Friday” rather than Black Friday because it was the first day of the bell-ringing season.

Volunteer Debbi Wilson staffed the bell in front of Publix in the afternoon that day and said people were being very generous.

St. Armands Key Lutheran Church bell ringer Kathy Kussy was busy on Nov. 27 and said she passed heavy crowds on her way to her spot on the Longboat Key-bound spoke of the Circle.

Both locations consistently vie for the top spot in the area’s bellringing donations, but St. Armands took the honors last year. The annual $20-for-$20 matching will be going

Above: Just/ Because Owner Barbara Pugliese stands in her decorated store.

Left: Debbi Wilson rings the bell at Publix on Nov. 26.

on this year, in which $20 bills are matched by an anonymous donor.

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS. CHEER IN EVERY CUP…

It’s peppermint mocha time at Turtle Coffee Bar and the Thirsty Snail.

Both locations serve both tea and coffee (though Thirsty Snail specializes in bubble tea) and have a peppermint mocha tea latte. Turtle Coffee Bar also has a holiday coffee blend with wintry spices, and Thirsty Snail is coming out with a holiday menu any day now.

On the tea side of things, they’ll have a gingerbread milk tea and a frosted cranberry tea while their coffee offerings will include a cookie butter latte, iced chocolate mint latte and a gingerbread latte.

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Everywhere you go on the island, it’s apparent the season is upon us.

Photos by Nat Kaemmerer

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021

HAIR • NAILS • SPA

Educational breakfast for Kiwanis Club Program Director Susan Goldfarb spoke to the club about the center’s first season as a new entity.

NAT KAEMMERER STAFF WRITER

Les Ciseaux Salon & Spa has a new owner, Dawn Lewis!

An employee at Les Ciseaux for over 24 years, Dawn recently purchased the business and will continue its legacy of unparalleled service.

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St Armand’s Circle • Above Columbia

Class was in session at the Nov. 18 meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key. The gathered members heard from Education Center at Temple Beth Israel’s program director, Susan Goldfarb, over breakfast.

Goldfarb was previously executive director of the Longboat Key Education Center, which dissolved in the past year due to financial hardship during the pandemic. The concept of lifelong learning was reborn again when Temple Beth Israel Executive Director Isaac Azerad approached Goldfarb about becoming part of the temple. Now, Goldfarb and her staff are employees of the temple but still doing what they’ve always done: providing education.

“We went from seeing 500 people a day to five people a week, in season, so COVID killed it, and Zoom didn’t save it,” Goldfarb said. “We’re starting a new idea that the temple had because they needed some excitement added to their temple, so they thought that would be the answer.

And it has been.”

Goldfarb has been involved with education on Longboat Key for 35 years, when she met Longboat Key Education Center Founder Laura Taubes and began working on public relations for the school. Before that, she had been a flight attendant, Canadian welcome house director for immigrants, costumer for the National Ballet of Canada and Canadian Opera Co., server at Cafe L’Europe, restaurant reviewer, French bakery wholesaler, and real estate advertising and PR director.

When Taubes wanted to retire, she sought Goldfarb to take it over.

Taubes knew Goldfarb wasn’t doing what she loved, and despite Goldfarb’s anxieties, she took it over with

Nat Kaemmerer

PARTY TICKETS

With just a couple weeks to go until Dec. 4, the Kiwanis Lawn Party planning is at a peak. The 50/50 raffle is up to a minimum pot of $10,000, and there are a total of 22 restaurants on board. Tickets are still on sale for noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Town Center Green for $75 each at LBKLawnParty.org.

Susan Goldfarb and Michael Garey

Taubes’ full confidence.

“She had 35 programs, and I brought it up over the years to 175, and that’s how I paid my staff and myself,” Goldfarb said. “Education turned out to be my passion. My father always said, ‘Susan, in life, you have to have someone to love, something to do and something to look forward to.’ That was a great philosophy, and I added ‘something to do that you have the passion for.’ That’s what’s carried me now for 35 years.”

Goldfarb has been able to retain nearly all of her teachers and programs since starting the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, and they’re in the thick of the fall semester right now. All TBI members get free membership, and many members from the Longboat Key Education Center picked their membership up again.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

THE ISLANDS

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021

17

TANGERINE BAY

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$1,490,000

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Over $100 Million in Pending & Closed sales volume to date!

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BARBARA ACKERMAN barbara@ackermangroup.net

ackermansrq.com

October 2021 Sales Statistics

Representing all residential listings in the Stellar MLS coverage area as of November 9th.

Longboat Key Office: 595 Bay Isles Rd., Suite 250, Longboat Key, Fl 34228 St. Armands Office: 443 John Ringling Blvd., Ste. F, Sarasota, Fl 34236 This is not a solicitation of another broker’s listing.. Market data supplied by Market Quest June 2021.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021

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Help Every Child Have a Chance to Thrive

“Our major goal is really to keep all children in our community from being abused, neglected or abandoned,” adds CEO Brena Slater.

The nonprofit is unique in that it takes a holistic approach to caring for the children of Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties, collaborating with several local organizations, including the sheriff’s offices, to look after the whole child.

“We’ve put a lot of effort into working with our community partners,” Slater says. “We make sure we have a team of people to wrap support around those families.”

To serve their mission, Safe Children Coalition has developed a variety of programs that touch every aspect of children’s lives and those of their guardians, whether they’re relatives, foster parents, or biological parents.

These programs run the gamut from prevention services like their youth shelter to in-home and out-of-home case management including adoption.

In fiscal year 2021, they helped nearly 8,000 kids through several programs.

While reunification with a child’s family is Safe Children Coalition’s ultimate goal when the child has to be removed from the home, foster care and adoption play a large role in what the organization does.

“Some of our favorite adoptions are our teens,” Slater says.

Recently, a young man who had a lot of issues was placed in a foster home

by Safe Children Coalition. In the few months since he joined the family, his attitude and behavior greatly

improved, and he has become open to being adopted.

Many teens in foster care are fearful.

“They don’t want to be rejected again,” Slater says. The young man’s foster family, who hadn’t considered adoption previously, also expressed interest in permanently becoming his parents, making the situation a remarkable success all around, thanks to the work of Safe Children Coalition.

ON TOP OF THE WORLD: Huk of Longboat Key is a 3-month-old miniature goldendoodle on his maiden voyage aboard his parents’ boat.

Last year there were nearly 1,700 children in foster and out-of-home care. Right now, there are 1,100 children in out-of- home care under the jurisdiction of Safe Children Coalition.

More foster homes are needed. Slater says factors like marital status, sexual orientation and age are not barriers to becoming a foster parent. In fact, she says empty-nesters have been some of their best foster parents.

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Another program, HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters), focuses on getting 2Beginning Sunday, December 19th, 2021 to 5-year-olds ready for school by Sunday, April 24th, 2022 educating them through and their parents or guardians in the home. Currently all home visitors are former HIPPY Beginning Sunday, December 19th, 2021 participants. A previous home visitor through Sunday, April 24th, 2022 was a formerly illiterate-turnedcollege-graduate mother whose life and those of her children were forever changed by the program. She also convinced her neighborhood’s parents to enroll in HIPPY.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021

19

REID MURPHY PRESENTS

LUXURY ON THE WATER BUYING or SELLING Call Reid for a successful real estate experience!

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Arlington floor plan, direct Gulf-front, 3rd floor, South Tower 3BR/3.5BA 3,500sf premier condo. Elevator to private-foyer. Luxurious, resort-style ammenities w/24hr staffed gated-access in the heart of Longboat Key. Minutes from great restaurants, shopping, golf, marinas, Mote Marine, St. Armands Circle & downtown Sarasota.

CASEY KEY GULF FRONT Spectacular opportunity!

Gulf front estate lot directly on the beach. Includes a Bayfront dock w/ power, water & hydraulic lift for 40 ft. boat plus excellent water depth. 12 ft above sea level, mature landscaping for great privacy. $6,000,000

SARASOTA PENTHOUSE Downtown Ritz Carlton 3BR Ensuite Residence.

Magnificent 4,276 sf open floor plan. Spectacular views. World class amenities. $5,875,000

LONGBOAT KEY BAYFRONT ESTATE Rare opportunity. Update to your liking with a remodel, or build your dream home!

Oversized Bayfront lot, 100ft on the bay w/ side canal for privacy plus. Elevated separate guest house w/ parking below is a bonus structure no longer permitted for new builds. Beach access across the street. $6,595,000

HOLMES BEACH ISLAND PARADISE Gulf front. Furnished 3BD/2BA open plan in this six unit complex with great rental opportunities. $1,125,000

LONGBOAT KEY GULFFRONT Beachfront 3BR/3BA 4,200sf recently renovated two story home w/ attached garage sits on 0.49 acres on north Longboat Key. $6,395,000

LONGBOAT KEY BONAIRE Steps from the beach, West Indies style 4BR/5BA home in Bonaire community.

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20

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021

ADOPT

SAKLC decks the halls

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t’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church. On Nov. 22, members and staff got into the spirit with a decorating day.

Soft Christmas music played throughout the church as boughs were fluffed, lights untangled and wreaths hauled up the walls. In the fellowship hall, among a sea of untrimmed trees and yet-to-be-hung wreaths, Ann Walborn wrestled with a tree with a section of unlit lights, trying to work the problem bulbs out in exchange for fresh bright lights.

“It’s always the section in the middle,” Walborn said.

In the front hall of the church, Denise Watermeier, Judy Matthies and Kathy Kussy divvied up large angel ornaments to put on the largest tree, finding the best wings to fill unfluffed limbs on the giant fir. Outside, volunteers and maintenance technician Larry Romer tied themselves in knots as they worked to untangle the long strings of outdoor lights and extension cords.

Living and Working on Longboat Key for 40 Years

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 368169-1

941.724.7228

CathyMeldahl@michaelsaunders.com

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Photos by Nat Kaemmerer

Above: Michael Bodnyk carries a wreath to be hung.

Below: Kathy Morrison wraps a tree in lights.

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Bruce Myer

Realtor

|

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021

21

®

941.376.5311

595 BAY ISLES ROAD, SUITE 250 LONGBOAT KEY, FL 34228

New Listings Coming Every Week - Call me!

Just Listed & Pending

THE ATRIUM - 2120 HARBOURSIDE DR., #636 Beautifully remodeled, furnished 2BR+DEN/2BA residence in Fairway Bay with panoramic Bay and city views.. $1,195,000 2120harbourside636.com

Just Listed & Pending

BAY ISLES HARBOR SECTION - 550 HARBOR POINT ROAD 5BR/5.5BA estate with over 6,000SF of exceptionally styled living space and 156’ of prime deep-water frontage. $6,995,000 550harborpoint.com

Now Pending

THE ATRIUM - 2110 Harbourside Dr., #526 GREAT VALUE! 2BR+DEN/2BA residence with bay and city views, updates, and 2 under-building parking spaces. $895,000 2210harbourside526.com

ARLINGTON PARK - 2073 Grove Street, Sarasota New construction with designer finishes, Mark Sultana designed 3BR/3BA residence with pool will be completed this month.. $1,250,000

Wondering where to start your home search?

IN 2021 OVER $146 MILLION IN SOLD & PENDING SALES

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www.BruceMyer.com Visit brucemyer.com for the Seller’s story!

368240-1

CALL BRUCE MYER 941.376.5311

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021

SARASOTA 401 Quay Commons 1903 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 6,131 Sq. Ft. Nora Johnson & Klaus Lang 941-809-1700 A4513907 $11,250,000

CORTEZ 12925 42nd Terrace W 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 5,138 Sq. Ft. Ann Martin & Joanna Benante 941-356-7717 A4502107 $4,750,000

BRADENTON 8415 Broadstone Court 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 5,189 Sq. Ft. Stacy Haas 941-587-4359 A4515827 $4,395,000

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

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

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

SARASOTA 525 Bird Key Drive 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,527 Sq. Ft. The Walter Group 941-232-2000 A4517683 $2,695,000

LONGBOAT KEY 435 L Ambiance Drive H702 2 Beds 3 Baths 2,385 Sq. Ft. Ian Addy, PA & Gail Wittig, LLC 941-961-8850 A4517748 $2,500,000

SARASOTA 650 Golden Gate Point 502 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,949 Sq. Ft. Douglas Parks 941-400-9087 A4515165 $1,775,000

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

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 2719 Gulf Drive 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,119 Sq. Ft. Melinda Alvarez 941-704-0633 A4506596 $1,549,900

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

UNIVERSITY PARK 7003 Lancaster Court 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,439 Sq. Ft. Robert Krasow 617-840-1181 A4515333 $1,400,000

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

SARASOTA 2203 Hillview Street 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,246 Sq. Ft. Tim Koons-McGee 941-320-7073 A4517377 $1,250,000

SARASOTA 555 S Gulfstream Avenue 1504 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,682 Sq. Ft. Marybeth Flynn 941-704-1477 A4517780 $1,200,000

SARASOTA 1750 Benjamin Franklin Drive 9E 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,548 Sq. Ft. Linda Thompson 941-400-0805 A4517532 $750,000

BRADENTON 5132 96th Street E 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,604 Sq. Ft. Mackenzie Longueuil & Pat Mudgett 941-961-4023 A4517811 $749,900

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

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

BRADENTON 7407 16th Avenue W 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,540 Sq. Ft. Erica Thomas 941-799-9365 A4516021 $365,000

BRADENTON 426 Palm Tree Drive 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,304 Sq. Ft. Jennifer Jordan 941-705-6615 A4517452 $260,000

BRADENTON 2506 14th Avenue W 2 Beds 1 Baths 1,170 Sq. Ft. Joanne Jenkins & Jill Kawecki 941-228-7878 A4517339 $250,000

SARASOTA 483 Meadow Lark Drive 4 Beds 3/2 Baths 5,468 Sq. Ft. The Walter Group 941-232-2000 A4510572 $6,950,000

SARASOTA 345 S Polk Drive 5 Beds 5/2 Baths 4,991 Sq. Ft. Barbara May & Fred Sassen 404-822-9264 A4515494 $6,250,000

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

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM 357399-1

22

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

Sleepy Lagoon home sells for $6.3 million

|

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021

REAL ESTATE

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

23

NOV. 15-19

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in Sleepy Lagoon tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Dennis and Sandra Herr, trustees, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, sold the home at 6553 Gulfside Road to Donda Mullis, trustee, of Longboat Key, for $6.3 million.

Built in 2010, it has three bedrooms, three-anda-half baths and 4,201 square feet of living area.

BIRD KEY

David and Jennifer Marley, trustees, sold the home at 475 E. Royal Flamingo Drive to Amy and Paul Lidsky, of Sarasota, for $5 million.

Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,316 square feet of living area.

BONAIRE AT LONGBOAT KEY

Jeremy Paul Seed, Francesca Vecchio-Wright and John Frederick Hanbidge, trustees, of Ontario, Canada, sold the Unit 8 condominium at 5005 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Paul Seed, of Ontario, Canada, for $3.5 million. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,115 square feet of living area. It sold for $3.5 million in April.

SANCTUARY AT LONGBOAT KEY CLUB

Paul Bier, trustee, of West Orange, New Jersey, sold the Unit A-503 condominium at 535 Sanctuary Drive to Bruce and Terry Creighton, of Ontario, Canada, for $1.6 million.

Built in 1990, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,375 square feet of living area. It sold for $500,000 in 1990.

BEACHPLACE

Paul LaBelle, of Waverly, Pennsylvania, sold his Unit 304 condominium at 1125 Gulf of Mexico Drive to DEBTOM LLC for $850,000. Built in 1979, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,503 square feet of living area. It sold for $155,000 in 1986.

Mark Bergin

The home on Gulfside Road was built in 2010. It has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 4,201 square feet of living area.

INN ON THE BEACH

FP Silver Sands LLC sold the Unit 3204 condominium at 230 Sands Point Road to Christopher Spray and James McVay, trustees, of Great Bend, Kansas, for $740,000. Built in 1982, it has one bedroom, one bath and 640 square feet of living area. It sold for $533,000 in 2020.

LBK5101 LLC sold the Unit 5101 condominium at 250 Sands Point Road to FP Silver Sands LLC for $625,000. Built in 1982, it has one bedroom, one bath and 716 square feet of living area. It sold for $290,000 in 2019.

PELICAN HARBOUR BEACH CLUB

Drive to LIDORANCH.COM LLC for $633,000. Built in 1980, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,293 square feet of living area. It sold for $395,000 in 2016.

BEACH HARBOR CLUB

Ernest and Cynthia Withers, of Bradenton, sold their Unit C-304 condominium at 3806 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Yury Linetsky, of Longboat Key, for $400,000. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,046 square feet of living area. It sold for $240,000 in 2016.

Colleen Landaiche, trustee, of Kingston, Tennessee, sold the

Linda Krause, trustee, of Naperville, Illinois, sold the Unit A-1 condominium at 4234 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Grant Lawrence Smith and Renee Tallman Smith, of Alameda, California, for $665,000. Built in 1973, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,636 square feet of living area. It sold for $295,000 in 1996.

Unit B-306 condominium at 3804 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Anne Comerford, of Longboat Key, for $399,000. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,007 square feet of living area. It sold for $86,000 in 1997.

SPANISH MAIN YACHT CLUB

James Martina, trustee, of Centennial, Colorado, sold the Unit 21 condominium at 669 Spanish Drive N. to David and Lisa Salzberg, of Millburn, New Jersey, for $360,000. Built in 1969, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,087 square feet of living area. It sold for $78,000 in 1991.

In with the new SALES GALLERY OPEN

LIDO TOWERS

John and Brigitte Wos, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 313 condominium at 1001 Benjamin Franklin

Longboat Key

TOP BUILDING PERMITS These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of Nov. 19-23 in order of dollar amounts.

L O N G B OAT K E Y ADDRESS 600 Preserve Court

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

SALES GALLERY NOW OPEN

PERMIT New single-family

APPLICANT Preserve at Longbeach LLC

AMOUNT $1 million

4651 Gulf of Mexico Drive

$979,000

residence 4651 GMD

New commercial

HVAC 584 Yawl Lane

Replacement single-Jeffrey S. Snauwaert Trust

family residence

$754,000

3000 Harbourside Drive

Interior alterations

LB 500 LLC

680 Magnolia Road

Pool, spa and deck

2358970 Ontario Inc

5055 GMD Unit 323

Windows and doors Robert J. Neumann

$41,090

6437 GMD

Interior alterations

6437LBK LLC

$27,860

1511 GMD #302

Interior alterations

Fortunado-Redstone Trust

$27,600

5120 GMD

Electrical

Scott A. Hase

$24,350

361 N. Shore Road

Re-roof

Mark Occhipinti

$17,796

4234 GMD Unit X1

Water damage repair Francis J. Magill

$13,944

2185 Harbourside Drive

Shutters

Lisa M. Buttenheim

$13,293

6685 GMD

Electrical

David M. Kantor

$13,150

3370 GMD

Deck

Smith Family Revocable Trust $12,000

5321 GMD

Re-roof

Villa Casuarina

6100 GMD

Windows

Kathy A. Simonds

$8,666

Downtown St. Petersburg

$150,000 $92,850

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

MOVE IN FALL 2022

#1401

$12,000

Peter Lanzavecchia

$8,600

Re-roof

John Maverick Coutret

$8,480

3330 GMD #206D

A/C change-out

Elliot-Leslie Family Revocable

$6,231

Trust

4825 GMD Unit 204

A/C change-out

Linda Carol Bagley Wiggs

$6,050

550 De Narvaez Drive

A/C change-out

Edmund W. Schuler

$6,024

2016 Harbourside Drive

Plumbing

John L. Edgeworth Revocable

$2,600

#344

Trust

821 Bayport Way

Plumbing

James A. Truitt

$2,500

1241GMD #1004

Water heater

Linda L. Jurgenssen

$2,450

3590 Fair Oaks Lane

Water heater

Carolyn A. Etten

$2,450 Source: Town of Longboat Key

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

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

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

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

Licensed Real Estate Broker

357318-1

2362 Harbour Oaks Drive Electrical 727 Spanish Drive S.

Downtown Sarasota

24

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021

Interfaith institution continues in 2021 Nat Kaemmerer

368563-1

The tradition brings six houses of worship together for a night of reflection and celebration.

Sarasota’s Best Voted One of

28 Years in a Row!

BLINDS•SHUTTERS DRAPERIES•WALLCOVERINGS

941-925-7800 mmwallcoveringsblinds.com Wallcoverings & Blinds, Inc. Since 1989

4801 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota Across from The Landings 369080-1

Janet and Curt Mattson Owners

NAT KAEMMERER STAFF WRITER

Dozens of members of Longboat Key’s communities of faith came to Longboat Island Chapel for the annual interfaith Thanksgiving service on Nov. 23.

All six local houses of worship were represented: All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church; Christ Church of Longboat Key; Longboat Island Chapel; St. Armands Key Lutheran Church; St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church; and Temple Beth Israel.

As usual, the service began with a prelude from Ann Stephenson-Moe on the organ and the processional hymn. As leader of the host church, the Rev. Brock Patterson welcomed everyone to Longboat Island Chapel before Rabbi Stephen Sniderman read the presidential proclamation deeming Thanksgiving a holiday, the Rev. Norman Pritchard led the gathered attendees in a prayer of confession, and the Rev. David Marshall led them in a litany of Thanksgiving.

It’s tradition that the newest clergy member on the island gives the message at the interfaith service.

Technically, that’s Patterson, not the Rev. Robert Dziedziak, but because 2020 was a strange year, Dziedziak hadn’t given his message yet. Dziedziak, who leads the

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congregation at St. Mary, led with a joke: A man who was hard of hearing was speeding with his wife in the car when he got pulled over. The officer, with questions retranslated into shouting by the man’s wife, read his license and noticed that he was from Arkansas. The officer commented that she had once dated the worst, most horrible, ugly man from Arkansas. When the man asked his wife what she said, she yelled, “She said she knows you!” After a rumble of laughter from the crowd, Dziedziak began.

“We’re all from different churches, which is really beautiful,” Dziedziak said. “But I thought of this celebration, and for me it comes to my mind as an image of a beautiful stainedglass window. We are all different flavors, different colors, but we are all children of the same almighty loving God. This stained-glass window is made of all of us here.”

Dziedziak’s message focused on keeping an eye out for blessings in disguise. He spoke of a family in Ireland who was set to sail the U.S., but one son was bitten by a dog just before the journey. They didn’t go — and the vessel they would have been on sank. Many blessings in disguise aren’t so stark, but Dziedziak reminded everyone to look for them just the same.

The evening’s offerings were donated to Resurrection House, a faith-based organization that works with the unhoused population in Sarasota County and offers resources to help people get on track.

After the service, attendees filed out quickly, as there was no fellowship hour because of the pandemic.

The Rev. Robert Dziedziak, the Rev. Norman Pritchard, Rabbi Stephen Sniderman, MiMi Horwitz, the Rev. Brock Patterson and the Rev. Dave Marshall

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, DECEMBER 2, 2021

Lori Lawson

Steven Kepecz

941.735.4385

941.376.6411

25

December 4, 2021

Ritz-Carlton Managed Residences Penthouse

ISLANDER CLUB • 2295 Gulf of Mexico Dr #55S Instant Enjoyment bright & open floorplan . Enjoy lovely sunset views from the poolside. With floor-toceiling hurricane impact glass throughout, wood floors in main living area, newer kitchen, and bathrooms.

Generous 38ft terrace displaying beautiful garden view and phenomenal amenities. Olympic sized pool, newly upgraded social room. Fitness Center overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Minutes to Publix and CVS Offered for $788,000 | www.IslanderClub55S.com

THE BEACH RESIDENCES OF LIDO KEY 1300 Benjamin Franklin Dr. Penthouse 1201 This is a WOW residence “the best views in the building”. Enjoy sunrise and sunsets year-round. 4200 sq. ft. two wrap around terraces, southwest and east corner. Endless resort-style amenities; travertine floors, Subzero, and Dacor appliances. Newer BBQ on terrace, motorized blinds, high ceilings, and a private 2-car garage plus 1 space. Two pets welcome.

Offered for $5,985,000 |www.1300Penthouse1201.

THE WATER CLUB • 1241 Gulf of Mexico Dr #408 Fall in love with this beautifully updated and furnished residence at The Water Club. This 3000 sq. ft residence offers Bay and Gulf views. 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. Two pets welcome. Offered for $2,350,000 FURNISHED www.TheWaterClub408.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.

Offered $10,880,000 | www.6211GulfofMexico.com

EW

N

ATRIUM • 2110 Harborside Dr. Unit 556 Enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner from your wrap around terrace with Sarasota Bay and Skyline views as your backyard. 3 bedrooms, 2100 sq. ft. of instant enjoyment. Recently updated, new hurricane storm shutters as a resident of Bay Isles you have access to the private Bay Isles Beach Club. Amenities include oversized heated swimming pool Schedule your private showing today. Contact Steven Kepecz 941.376.6411 Offered for $1,025,000.00

E

IC

PR

SUNSET BEACH 2101 Gulf of Mexico Dr Unit 2301 Love at first sight, magnificent corner residence with epic views of the Gulf of Mexico, lush garden, and pool. Better than new. This two-bedroom, two-bath residence offers you a unique feeling of living in your very own beach cottage with all of the benefits of condominium living. $1,100,000.00 FURNISHED www.SunsetBeach2301.com

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. Two pets welcome. Two under building parking spaces. $2,950,000 FURNISHED www.159PentHouseE305.com

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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

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

369512-1

TANGERINE BAY • 370 Gulf of Mexico Dr #421 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 Offered for $1,100,000 | www.TangerineBay421.com

26

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021

REPUTATION ON TRUST HAPPYBUILT HANUKKAH SINCE 1985

From the staff at

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Photos by Nat Kaemmerer

Above: Cathy Bishop and Marlene McBrier Right: Dozens of toys piled in throughout the two-day event.

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

SARASOTA HOLIDAY PARADE!

Children First benefits from Sip and Shop

Saturday, Dec. 4 | 7pm

W

hen in doubt, help the kids out. J. McLaughlin Store Manager Melanie Dale hosted a Sip and Shop event for Children First on Nov. 19 and 20.

The true sponsor of the Sip and Shop was Longboat Key Turtle Watch. However, instead of collecting 15% of the day’s proceeds as the organization would have during any other Sip and Shop, LBKTW deferred its funds to Children First, a head-start program in Sarasota County that serves 900 children annually. Throughout the two days, 15% of J. McLaughlin’s sales went to Children First, and shoppers brought in unwrapped presents for the kids.

LBKTW was there to educate rather than

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.

End: Gulfstream Ave.

S A R A S O TA

DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION

50

— NAT KAEMMERER

%

SO

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SALES@THEDEMARCAY.COM

|

941.404.8858

|

SALES CENTER AT 32 S. PALM AVE.

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THEDEMARCAY.COM

©2021 Wolf Development Strategies and Wolf Residential. All Rights Reserved. Wolf Residential and Coldwell Banker operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. fully supports the principles of the fair housing act and the equal opportunity act. Oral representations cannot be relied upon as correctly stating representations of the developer. For correct representations, make reference to the documents required by section 718.503, Florida Statues, to be furnished by a developer to a buyer or lessee 350522-1

368537-1

Start: Main St. & Washington Blvd.

raise money, so LBKTW President Tim Thurman spent Saturday talking about the next turtle season, which will be governed by new rules taking effect in 2022.

In the store, volunteers Cathy Bishop and Marlene McBrier gave information on Children First, handed out sips to shoppers and collected toys.

Next, Dale will host a food drive at the store through Dec. 18. She’s working with Christ Church of Longboat Key to gather food and funds for Our Daily Bread in Bradenton. Nonperishable goods can be dropped off during store hours.

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

SUNRISE / SUNSET

FRIDAY, DEC. 3

High: 74 Low: 59 Chance of rain: 6%

Thursday, Dec. 2 7:04a 5:35p

SATURDAY, DEC. 4 High: 75 Low: 62 Chance of rain: 6%

Sunrise Sunset

Friday, Dec. 3

7:05a

5:35p

Saturday, Dec. 4

7:05a

5:35p

Sunday, Dec. 5

7:06a

5:35p

Monday, Dec. 6

7:07a

5:36p

Tuesday, Dec. 7

7:07a

5:36p

Wednesday, Dec. 8

7:08a

5:36p

WEATHER

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST

27

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021

|

MOON PHASES

SUNDAY, DEC. 5 High: 75 Low: 62 Chance of rain: 14%

Dec. 26 Last

Jan. 2 New

Jan. 9 First

Jan. 17 Full

TIDES

Mary Kondrat photographed a downpour off Longboat Key.

Highs Lows

Thursday, Dec. 2

11:23a

9:36p

5:06a

4:13p

Friday, Dec. 3

12:30p

10:10p

5:55a

4:40p

Saturday, Dec. 4

1:39p

10:48p

6:45a

5:01p

Sunday, Dec. 5

2:56p

11:31p

7:37a

5:17p

Monday, Dec. 6

—

—

8:31a

—

Tuesday, Dec. 7

12:19a

—

9:27a

—

1:12a

—

10:24a

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Wednesday, Dec. 8 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 OUT OF SORTS by Gary Larson. Edited by David Steinberg

©2021 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

1 Soft, bland food 4 They’re usually closed before a bar closes 8 Word before “dust” or “rush” 12 Take from the top 16 “Skylanding” sculptor Yoko 17 Balm ingredient 18 Plains tribe 20 Wearies (of) 22 “Eww!” 23 Lopsided victory at a swim meet?

27 Submarine sandwich 29 Wrath 30 Tear roughly 31 What women do at a huge debutante ball?

349248-1

941.748.4679 | Venice

54 Eaten up 124 “Stop right there!”

125 Enjoy caviar, perhaps 56 Legendary Himalayan beast 126 Put the kibosh on 60 Didn’t discard 61 Luggage attachment DOWN 62 Scottish skirts 1 Paste in Pukalani 63 Spheres 2 Fish in Caesar salad 64 Skewered Indonesian recipes dish 3 Mobile game whose 65 Apple product on a players catch creatures desk 4 Not allowed 66 Twosome 5 Everyone 67 Gumbo vegetable 6 “You stink!”

72 Stan’s partner in 7 Attach a zipper, e.g. comedy 8 Squashes and pump73 Habitual thief, briefly kins 74 Fish that are transpar9 Animal that sleeps in ent at birth a raft 75 Pose a question 10 British bathroom 76 Little devils 11 Absolutely, informally 81 Reassure 12 One of 12, in recovery 82 Was in battle 13 New Zealander 84 Sweetie 14 Tehran’s land 86 Full of green plants 15 Courage to keep going 87 Vogue alternative 19 ___ throat 88 Guinness of “Star 21 Waste conduit Wars” 24 Sounds from sows 89 Reckless 25 “You stink!”

91 Kind of instinct 26 Optimistic 92 Flexible 28 Cartoon chihuahua 94 Snaillike 31 Uber rivals 95 ___ noir 32 Noodle thicker than 37 Guitarist Paul batting cage?

97 Very dry, as cham96 Vacation with stops at soba pagne 38 Makeup maker 65 Nasdaq launches many parks 33 Train whistle’s sound 97 Ink stain 99 Grocery store section 39 Socially awkward 68 Menu for Cut and 34 Vexes 100 Sounds from ewes people Paste 98 Snorkeling spots 35 Most senior 40 Balm targets 69 Certainly not well-done 101 Actress Tyler 99 In addition 41 Each partner, at times? 70 Pay for a poker hand 102 Enable a purse to hold 36 Through, on an itiner- 100 Fella ary more items?

43 Storage container 71 Steal some kisses?

103 ___ further notice 41 Lauder of cosmetics 105 Stealthy way to walk 44 Oddballs 77 Broadcast 104 Starbucks serving 42 Compete 109 Math degree?

45 Hand-holding at a club, 78 Future J.D.’s hurdle 106 Mazelike furniture 44 Didn’t discard 110 Help illegally e.g., briefly 79 Smaller quantity store 45 ___ platter (Hawaiian 107 Left at sea?

111 Exercise routine 46 Greek letter within 80 Catholic rite tray of food) geared toward star “epsilon” 83 Seafood delicacies 108 Backside 46 Created a crossword 112 “Impressive!” athletes?

47 Portions dipped in butter sauce theme, say 117 Afflict 49 Regret 85 Moose’s relative 113 Part of a cell nucleus 48 En ___ (as a group) 119 Levels in a stadium 50 Frying in a little fat 86 2020 or 2024 114 Spoiled 49 Brazilian city by the 120 Sotomayor of the 55 Daytime TV drama 90 Rite ___ 115 Lilly of pharmaceusea, for short 56 Nervousness while 91 What knows the ways Supreme Court ticals 50 Yemen’s capital 121 Touched down putting, in golf of the world? (Abbr.)

116 Lust or pride 51 Oak nut 122 Shipwrecked sailor’s 57 What Clearasil targets 92 Quiet interludes 118 Psychedelic synthe52 Tech startup’s image? sized in 1938 signal 58 Company VIP 93 Bygone carrier 53 Colorful salamander 123 Off the beaten ___ 59 Miss three times in the 94 Wild shopping trip

celebrity cipher

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

“ALLV ZU RLC Z HPMFAK DZMIAK DZM TLUR IKGW ZMI IKGPMK URK IZOVMKHH.” – ZMMK GOZMV “WUG BDTO GX AUKO VDWA DSV COOZ GEZW. ... M DJJOXL LIDL M’K SUL XONCOJL DSV ML’A UT -- M JDS ALDNL UHON DEDMS LUKUNNUB.” – TDZOW JGUJU “E’OS NSVLUSK WGLYIXGYIW TF BYILUSF WGVW CSLJSMWEYU EZ WGS SUSTF YJ XLSVWUSZZ.”

– BVUSNNS TYUVS Puzzle Three Clue: M equals C

941.355.8437 | Bradenton

Puzzle Two Clue H equals V

Sarasota

KITCHENS, BATHROOMS, BEDROOMS & MORE

Puzzle One Clue C equals W

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

12-2-21

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021

RED PAGES Service Directory - Friday at 3PM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card The Longboat Observer reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher. *It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in the Longboat Observer to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with towncodes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property.

Notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Homes for Rent

Items Under $200

Help Wanted

CHANDELIER METAL, BROWN, HARDWARE INCLUDE. LIKE NEW, $30 (941) 920-2494

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

RECLINER ASHLEY leather recliner. Dark brown. $150 (386) 503-8950 lv msg

Homes for Sale Luxurious Lake Club 4 Bed 4 Bath Built in 2019 Lakefront Lakewood Ranch $2,500,000 Sorrento Shores Waterfront 3 Bed 2 Bath Fantastic Views, New Dock $995,000 Stroll to Siesta Key Beach 4 B e d 2 B a th Heated Pool, 2 Car Garage $799,000 Longboat Key Beach House: on Canal, 2BED-2BATH, Dock.

Owner/agent $530,000.

Call for coming soon listings.

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

Call 941-726-2677.

CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

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Condos/Apts. for Rent

auto Autos Wanted

real estate

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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.

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

Antiques/Collectibles

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

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

Adult Care Services

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

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

M-F M-F Ask about our special rates!

Ask about our special rates!

Wagner Realty Wagner Realty Since 1939 Since 1939 www.rentalsonlongboat.com www.rentalsonlongboat.com

Perfect Solutions For Seniors

BUY STUFF HERE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

Phone (941) 809-1438

LONGBOAT LIMOUSINE CLAUDIA C. Cleaning Services.

Experienced, dependable, and ready to begin!

Residential.

Excellent references.

941-773-6895.

Your local luxury transportation provider since 1994.

New luxury Sedans and SUVs. Fully Licenced and insured.

Call/Text 941-383-1235

CLEANING BY Brazilian Lady.

Meticulous, reliable, deep cleaning specialist. Residential.

Commercial. New Construction.

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E-mail: longboatlimousine @yahoo.com

This week’s Crossword answers

©2021 Universal Uclick

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness.”

Anne Frank Puzzle Two Solution: “You wake up some days and feel ugly. ...

I accept that I’m not perfect and it’s OK -- I can start over again tomorrow.”

Kaley Cuoco Puzzle Three Solution: “I’ve learned throughout my journey that perfection is the enemy of greatness.”

Janelle Monae

This week’s Sudoku answers

©2021 NEA, Inc.

HHA# 299994819

Auto Service

Beauty

WE COME TO YOU

FAST • EASY • SAFE

941.270.4400

HoHoBuysCars.com

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

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

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

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Free estimates. 941-744-1020.

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* Assistance with Daily Living Ac-

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Watch Batteries Installed

Painting

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We Buy & Sell Costume Jewelry, Coins, Watches

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LONGBOAT KEY, FLORIDA: 2 Bedrooms, 2 baths. Over 1600 Square feet. Ground 1st floor. 75” TV’s, fully upgraded.

Monthly annually. Contact lin44139@yahoo.com or linetsky2021@icloud.com or with desired rental price. Rent various: $6,000/month $8,000/month

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Call/text Anna: 941-932-1600

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

368887

jobs

stuff

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

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.

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

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

You’re only cheating yourself.

DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at 2PM

Auto Transport

peekers’ place

redpages@yourobserver.com • yourobserver.com/redpages

Vacation/ Seasonal Rentals

home services

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

Home Services

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

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

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

Gun Shop

Power Washing

AMANDA

Pressure Washing

424-333-0713 | rockstarmobilehair@gmail.com www.rockstarmobilehairsalon.com Carpet Cleaning

367715

GET YOUR LIFE BACK!

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Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

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

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

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

Sliding Glass Door Repair

MIC INSURANCE

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Manufacture and workmanship Warranties

Lic./Ins.

w & Pressure Cl indo345-5264 W(941) eani t e s ng as Sunrise Wi n w o n k Sun y l nd er Form Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

EXPERIENCE KNOWLEDGE SOLUTIONS

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

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BEFORE

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Serving Sarasota/Manatee Area Since 2004

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Honesty, Integrity and Pride

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

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Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941- 284 - 5880

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

RED PAGES Bring Results | 941-955-4888

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!

TREASURES FOUND HERE!

TO ADVERTISE CALL 941-955-4888 OR VISIT YOUROBSERVER.COM/REDPAGES

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Purified water window cleaning available!!

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021

ROGER SELLS

LUXURY WATERFRONT PROPERTIES

MORE THAN $200 MILLION CLOSED IN 2021

3731 INDIAN BEACH PLACE

$6,495,000

Built in 2006 with the exceptionally high standards of Triangle Construction, designed with energy efficient and sustainable materials, this 5BR, lavish bayfront residence is the epitome of a luxurious waterfront lifestyle. Thoughtfully designed to showcase breathtaking bay vistas and crimson sunsets from just about every corner of its 6,000+ square foot interior space, this home is spread across two living levels. Boasting all the amenities required for a resort-style experience, offering thousands of feet of elaborate outdoor entertaining areas. The perfect place to escape with its enviable central location minutes from downtown, verdant gardens protecting the nearly one-acre of property, extensive updates, and a beautifully updated interior that is ready for you to immediately enjoy.

15111 GADDY UP RANCH ROAD

$4,895,000

•

5 Bedrooms. 41/2 Bathrooms

•

Situated directly on the tranquil waters of Sarasota Bay, offering beautiful sunset and water views that stretch out to the twinkling city skyline

•

Gorgeous updates adorn every corner of the lavish interior, complemented by lush manicured landscaping surrounding many options for relaxation and boating

•

www.3731IndianBeach.com

862 GRANDE PASS WAY

$3,100,000

Country breezes rustling through century old oaks and pines welcome you to this unique, 82.5-acre property known as the Gaddy Up Ranch.

Located in Sarasota County, nearby to Myakka River State Park, this Gentleman’s Ranch is a quiet, private retreat, while still being close to the cultural lifestyle 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.

Begin your dream beach home at this private, gated enclave on the southern tip of Boca Grande, featuring breathtaking sunsets views highlighted by the perfect backdrop of the Gulf of Mexico, Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande Pass. 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, with beach access, fishing options and observation pier.

www.GaddyUpRanchSRQ.com

www.862GrandePassWay.com

1241 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE #805

$1,899,000

4725 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE #208

$695,000

3804 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE #B106

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.

Immediately start enjoying this lovely resort-style residence at Sand Cay, located directly on the Gulf shores of Longboat Key. Boasting weekly rental options (3-day minimum).

This lovely beach-to-bay getaway is conveniently located just a few sunny steps from beautiful Gulf beach shores of Longboat Key. Ready to enjoy as a place to escape or as a rental property.

www.WaterClubSouth805.com

www.SandCay208.com

www.BeachHarborClubB106.com

$450,000

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

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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

SOUTHSIDE VILLAGE

Holiday Stroll The Most Family Friendly Fun Time in Southside Village Friday, Dec. 10 • 5-9 p.m.

Pictures with Santa Music Compound’s annual Holiday Concert Treats & Activities for Kids of ALL ages!

Hot Cocoa & Castle Bouncy House Unbelievable Raffle Return of the Snow Slide!

Exhilarating Trampoline Adventurous Climbing Wall TO BENEFIT THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS Southside Village HOLIDAY STROLL

Friday, Dec 8 • 5-9 p.m.

PARKING AVAILABLE IN THE SOUTH PARKING GARAGE 0F SARASOTA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AT 41 AND HILLVIEW ST.

SO U T H SI D E V I L L A G E . O RG

DEC. 8 The most Family Friendly, Fun time in Southside

Santa will be on site The Music Compound will host their Holiday Concert Free Treats and activities | Unbelievable Raffle

COFFRIN

JEWELERS Fabulous Snow Slide The Shoppe Worth Discovering

| Exhilarating Trampoline Adventurous Climbing Wall

Proceeds Benefit Girls Inc. of Sarasota County

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

L & S Partners

Inspire Collaborate Educate

SOUTHSIDEVILLAGE.ORG

DEBBI W OL F I N G ER , R EALT OR , R OSE B AY I N T ER N AT I ON AL R E KN I C KS TAV ER N & G R I L L | G EC KO’ S G R I L L & PU B M ORT ON ’ S G OU R M ET M AR KET G U L F C OAST C OM M U N I T Y F OU N D AT I ON DR. T OD D R EU T ER , D M D , M D , OR AL & I M PL AN T SU R G ERY BIT E SQU AD | JOD AT L AW G R OU P | C OF F R I N JEW L ER S

FREE Parking available in the South Parking Garage of Sarasota Memorial Hospital at 41 and Hillview St. LAW O F F IC E O F A N DREW RO SIN , PA | BLU H O M E C O F F RIN J EW ELERS | A F C URG EN T CA RE SA RA SOTA M EM O RIA L H O SPITA L