Longboat Observer 2.10.22

LONGBOAT

Observer

Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978

Sweatin’ in paradise.

PAGE 18

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

FREE • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

VOLUME 44, NO. 27

Money floods in for studies

YOUR TOWN

Town gets started on drainage examinations for two neighborhoods. PAGE 3

Browsing brushwork Choices aplenty at show. PAGE 10

Nat Kaemmerer

Mote manatees like the Bengals The Cincinnati Bengals might be the underdogs at Super Bowl LVI, but manatees Hugh and Buffett at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium seem to feel good about them.

On their 14th year of picking Super Bowl champions, both picked the Bengals.

Buffett’s 11-2 record might take his pick as a good sign, but keep in mind that Hugh picked them, too, and he’s 6-7 on picking the champion.

The tradition uses training that improves the manatees’ care and well-being. Target training involves the manatee swimming to a target when a whistle blows, and they’re rewarded with food afterward.

Trainers use it to get them onto a stretcher to be weighed or to come to a vet. And, of course, what’s life without a little fun?

“Sarasota never gets to host the Super Bowl, so this is the next best thing,” Mote spokesperson Stephannie Kettle said.

“They get training so they don’t freeze up on game day.”

Nat Kaemmerer

Henry, Morgan and Jenn Thomas are happy with their art choices at last weekend’s first art show at the Town Center Green.

A+E

New owner, old friend

Nat Kaemmerer

Ten years swinging

Familiar face takes over at Euphemia Haye.. SEE PAGE 2

A special moment.

INSIDE

Mark Bergin

The only change to Euphemia Haye that Amy Whitt is adamant about is the mint jar near the restaurant’s entrance.

The men of St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church have been playing golf together for 10 years, but they’re still scrambling to determine the best among them.

On Feb. 17, the men’s club tournament will tee off at the Harbourside Golf Course.

When it started in 2012, they played at the IMG Academy course in Bradenton, but now they’re keeping it closer to home.

The tournament has always been played to raise money for charity. This year’s beneficiary is St. Catherine School.

Co-chairs Steve Golia and Mike Cichon said they have a lot of excited repeat players coming back for a round.

To join the proceedings, call the church office at 383-1255 to register.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

Euphemia Haye announces new owner Ray and D’Arcy Arpke sold Euphemia Haye to longtime employee Amy Whitt for an undisclosed sum.

MARK BERGIN

“They want to be able to spend more time with their family because they’ve sacrificed so much family time and everything for the restaurant,” Whitt said of the Arpkes. “The restaurant is essentially their baby.

“They’ve nurtured it and made it grow to what it is.”

The Arpkes plan to continue living in Longboat Key, but now they’ll have more time to visit family. “(On Friday, Jan. 28), we were off and we were like, ‘What do people do on a Friday?’” D’Arcy Arpke asked. “‘What are other people doing?’”

This year will mark the last time the couple works holiday shifts.

“The last time I’ve had a New Year’s Eve off was 1974,” Ray Arpke said.

For the past six years, office manager Brooke Thompson has worked with Whitt at Euphemia Haye.

“I can’t imagine anyone else here buying the restaurant,” Thompson said. “She lives (and) breathes the restaurant, and has since I’ve worked here.”

Thompson said she appreciates the familiarity of having Whitt take over given their previous experience working together.

“She’s sort of like a little sister to me, and I’m thrilled for her,” Thompson said of Whitt. “She found her home here and sort of grew into an adult at Euphemia Haye.”

Whitt is from St. Joseph, Illinois, a small town about 10 miles east of Champaign. She recalled her initial interview with D’Arcy Arpke.

“I came in and interviewed with D’Arcy, who is also from Champaign, believe it or not. (It’s) a small world,” Whitt said. “And we just hit it off right away.”

Euphemia Haye has undergone several changes through the years.

The Haye Loft was added in 1990.

The restaurant has expanded six times, going from 28 seats to 150.

Whitt insists she plans to keep Euphemia Haye the same. The restaurant celebrated its 40th anniversary in August 2020.

“Everything is going to stay Euphemia Haye as far as quality of food, the service,” Whitt said. “Just because

STAFF WRITER

A

my Whitt remembers meeting her bosses in September 2020 at a lawyer’s office.

Whitt, 39, said she thought she was in trouble even though she has worked with Ray and D’Arcy Arpke at Longboat Key landmark restaurant Euphemia Haye for nearly 15 years.

“I was like, ‘What’s going on here?’” Whitt said. “In my mind, I’m like: ‘What did I do? What did I say? Oh, my gosh, did I make somebody mad? Did I overstep my bounds somewhere?’”

Nothing like that. Instead, the Arpkes presented their proposal for Whitt to purchase the restaurant at 5540 Gulf of Mexico Drive upon their retirement.

“This was presented. Ray was in tears. I was in tears,” Whitt said. “I look at them like another set of parents.”

The Arpkes speak highly of Whitt.

“She was doing my job better than I was doing my job,” D’Arcy Arpke said.

Ray Arpke said he is impressed with Whitt’s work ethic. Years ago, Whitt picked up a second full-time job at the Publix at the Shoppes of Bay Isles so she could return home to the mainland from Longboat Key at times when traffic was lighter.

“That to me was like, that’s an ethic,” Ray Arpke said.

Whitt, who started as an administrative assistant in May 2007 and worked her way up to bookkeeper, said she closed the transaction on Dec. 13, 2021. The price was not disclosed.

The Arpkes plan to continue for the next year to help mentor Whitt, who was not the only person they considered to take over ownership.

Mark Bergin

Above: Since May 2007, Amy Whitt has worked with D’Arcy and Ray Arpke at Euphemia Haye. Right: The beloved Haye Loft was a set of apartments when the Arpkes bought the place.

Now it’s a dessert spot, bar and live music venue.

it’s changed ownership doesn’t mean that it’s going to change. I still want to carry on everything that they have built.”

The Arpkes had offers from people outside of the restaurant.

“People were like, ‘Oh, and when we get in here, we can change this and this and that,’” D’Arcy Arpke said. “We didn’t really want to hear that.”

However, Whitt has already made one slight adjustment.

“I always joke when people ask, ‘What are you going to change?’ I put mints on the front chest as you walk out,” Whitt said. “That’s my big change.”

File photo

Whitt teared up when asked what it meant to her that the Aprkes chose her to take over Euphemia Haye.

“It means that they believed in me.

That they trusted me; that they had the confidence... that I would be able to carry on everything that they’ve built,” Whitt said. “I always tell people that I’ve got huge shoes to fill.

“I know that I’m never going to fill them, but I’m going to try my hardest to get pretty close.”

Reporter Nat Kaemmerer contributed to this story.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

Photo courtesy of Tom Tucker

Water rose in the streets of Buttonwood Harbour on the night of Nov. 11, 2020, when Hurricane Eta passed through.

Combined, Longboat Key is due to spend $168,749 on drainage assessments for the Buttonwood Harbour and Sleepy Lagoon neighborhoods.

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

L

ongboat Key residents familiar with rising waters — particularly in Sleepy Lagoon and Buttonwood Harbour — could know by the end of the year why their neighborhoods experience flooding after heavy rains or high tides.

On Jan. 18, the town sent purchase orders to planning and design consulting company Kimley-Horn to conduct stormwater drainage assessments for both neighborhoods.

The work is designed to gather

File photo

Brista Homes founder and President Mark Ursini plans to build two single-family homes on Buttonwood Drive.

data on how and why flooding occurs to help engineers devise solutions.

The town is due to pay $90,016 for the eight-month Sleepy Lagoon assessment and $78,733 for the sixmonth Buttonwood Harbour assessment.

Tom Tucker is among the Buttonwood Harbour residents who have expressed concerns about the neighborhood’s infrastructure, specifically during heavy rains and high tides.

The Buttonwood Harbour neighborhood was developed and built in the 1960s.

DIFFERENT SIZES

Public Works Director Isaac Brownman said Sleepy Lagoon has more roadways and areas to evaluate, which is why the neighborhood’s assessment is longer and more costly than Buttonwood Harbour’s.

“We’re going to have one of our engineers review the areas, the elevations, the issues that are being described, provide recommendations for the town to react on whether it’s simple maintenance issues or water capital improvement projects,” Brownman said. “We’re going to plan for the program fund to be able to correct some of the inefficiencies in each area.”

Brownman said it was appropriate for the town to conduct studies on the Longbeach Village neighborhood, Sleepy Lagoon and Buttonwood Harbour, which are the three lowest areas of Longboat Key. He said the Village has already had two studies performed.

Sleepy Lagoon is in Manatee County. It consists of Juan Anasco Drive, De Narvaez Drive, Bayview Drive, Norton Street, Marbury Lane, Penfield Street, General Harris Street and Wake Island Road.

There also are plans in design and permitting for improvements to Lyons Lane.

“We’re doing some road work and efforts on Lyons Lane, but those are more targeted short term, like over the past couple of years to the next couple years, and then the sea-level rise (study) will give us a path forward on the longer-term issue, but we see them complementing each other,” Town Manager Tom Harmer said.

Buttonwood Harbour is in Sarasota County. It consists of the area between Triton Bend and Monroe Street.

Tucker said he was pleased with the comprehensiveness of the town’s plan to assess the drainage issues.

“Isaac kept his word, and he told me it would happen this way,” he said.

Brownman described the kind of data Kimley-Horn would collect and how it would help town leaders determine the best course of action.

“A lot of the data they’ve collected already,” Brownman said. “They’ve taken some of our APTIM (Environmental and Infrastructure Inc.) sealevel rise data for inlets and outfall elevations.”

Brownman said Kimley-Horn representatives will also use Southwest Florida Water Management District’s contour mapping elevation data, survey data and data for planned developments in the area.

The proposed developments include Brista Homes Founder and

President Mark Ursini’s proposal to build two single-family homes at 597 Buttonwood Drive. Longboat Key voters approved a residential density referendum in November 2021 for the site.

The Town Commission will have final authority on Ursini’s proposal to build the two homes, but the Planning and Zoning Board will also make a recommendation.

“I’ve been in constant communication with Buttonwood Harbour Association, their representatives, and keeping them in the loop on our preliminary designs,” Ursini said.

“I think we’re addressing the major concerns of the overall drainage on both Winslow (Place) and Buttonwood Drive.”

Ursini also seeks to develop 3150 Gulf of Mexico Drive into a 14,408-square-foot commercial plaza for up to eight tenants.

Ursini said he plans to address concerns about his developments and their effect on drainage.

He also hopes to increase the value of the surrounding homes and businesses.

The two-single family homes he plans to build on Buttonwood Drive are expected to have an approximate value between $2 million and $2.5 million.

“I would say I’m hoping to break ground by April 1 and be completed within one year,” Ursini said. “That would be the goal.”

Ursini has hired engineer Jason Coates of Bradenton-based Shoryer Dapala Engineering LLC to help with the proposals. The group has submitted a site development plan.

HEARING MAYBE THIS MONTH

The first of the public hearings for Ursini’s proposals could happen as soon as this month.

Tucker opposed the November 2021 referendum, wanting to fix the drainage issues first.

However, Tucker said Buttonwood Harbour’s drainage problems are interconnected.

Tucker specifically mentioned the Monroe Street easement, the Buttonwood Drive entrance to the neighborhood at Gulf of Mexico Drive, the easement between Buttonwood Drive and Triton Bend and the easement on Longview Drive.

Kimley-Horn is expected to retain Hyatt Survey Services Inc. to collect data in these areas, according to public records.

Both the Buttonwood Harbour and Sleepy Lagoon drainage assessments have these six tasks: n Project management and administration; n Data collection; n Topographic surveying; n Public engagement workshop; n Project alternatives and report; n Additional expenses/allowances.

“I would say I’m hoping to break ground by April 1 and be completed within one year. That would be the goal.”

— Mark Ursini

DRAINAGE ASSESSMENTS BUTTONWOOD HARBOUR n Cost: $78,733 n Duration: Six months n Locations: The area between Triton Bend and Monroe Street.

SLEEPY LAGOON n Cost: $90,016 n Duration: Eight months n Locations: It consists of Juan Anasco Drive, De Narvaez Drive, Bayview Drive, Norton Street, Marbury Lane, Penfield Street, General Harris Street and Wake Island Road. Also, there are plans in design and permitting for improvements to Lyons Lane.

Source: town of Longboat Key.

Kimley-Horn is expected to provide town leaders with monthly status reports and invoices. The town is also expected to hold at least one public workshop on the assessments.

Both assessments have an allowance of $5,000 for “unforeseen tasks required to complete the project.”

Brownman said the town uses an engineering consultant library to determine which firms to hire for projects. He called Kimley-Horn “the best firm for the job.”

“Kimley-Horn is a good firm,” Brownman said. “We’ve done work with them in the past. I’m familiar with them from my time in Sarasota County.”

Brownman explained the process the town will undergo. “(Kimley-Horn) is going to gather all that data, the observations of rainfall, feedback from the neighborhoods, the public, the residents living in the neighborhoods, put together an evaluation of recommendations to improve the area, and that gives us a basis that (would) start planning those improvements in our capital program and our maintenance efforts,” Brownman said.

BUDGET CYCLE

Brownman said preparations will begin this month and in March for fiscal year 2023 budget cycle projects.

“It’s not going to get into, necessarily, the FY 2023 budget cycle with specific projects, though there might be some dollars set aside for general drainage,” Brownman said. “It’s something we already do.”

Once town leaders get recommendations based on the assessments, Brownman said the town could then outline the specific costs for the necessary remedies.

“I hope that the final report and the elements that are derived from it are the beginning of the road and not the end of the road (toward finding solutions to mitigate drainage and flooding issues),” Tucker said.

From a broader standpoint, Harmer said Longboat Key must consider several factors as a barrier island. “(It’s) not just sea-level rise, but it’s also storm events, tropical storms, winter weather, hurricanes, back (Sarasota) Bay high-tide flooding – all these things impact the island in different ways,” Harmer said. “And portions of the island are lower than other portions.”

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

Town receives financial honor for 40th straight year

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Longboat Key has received a certificate of achievement for excellence in its financial reporting for the 40th year in a row from the Government Finance Officers Association.

“It’s a tremendous run,” Town Manager Tom Harmer said. “There’s a burden on us to keep it going. No one wants to skip a year after 40 years, so we can’t let our guard down.”

GFOA Technical Services Director Michele Mark Levine wrote a letter to the town in January.

“The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management,” Levine wrote.

Harmer said the town cannot simply resubmit the same documentation each year.

“It just highlights that over several generations of finance directors and finance teams, this level of professionalism has been a priority,” Harmer said.

Harmer credited Longboat Key Finance Director Sue Smith and her team.

“Sue will say that she’s part of the team, but I think one of the things that we really benefit from, she does such great job as the finance director, but she also has an auditor background,” Harmer said.

Commissioners applauded Smith during Monday’s meeting.

“On behalf of the finance team, we thank you,” Smith told commissioners.

A third-party auditor conducts a comprehensive audit of the town’s finances each year, and the report is compiled to summarize the closeout of the previous year. Harmer said the

File photo

town is continually trying to make improvements.

Mayor Ken Schneier said Smith and the finance department does a “great job.”

Government Finance Professionals Week is set for March 14-18.

Schneier is due to sign a proclamation to recognize the finance department’s work.

“What Tom (Harmer) hasn’t said is this: Sue (Smith) was only 9 years old when she first received this award, so that’s pretty remarkable,” Schneier joked.

Smith has worked as the Longboat Key finance director since 2013.

Finance Director Sue Smith has worked for the town of Longboat Key since 2013.

WHAT IS THE GFOA? The Government Finance Officers Association was founded in 1906. It represents public finance officials throughout the United States and Canada. The GFOA is advised by standing committees in seven areas of government finances. The association has more than 20,000 members in federal, state and local finance departments involved in planning, financing and implementing thousands of governmental operations in their respective jurisdictions.

GFOA’s mission is to advance excellence in public finance.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

5

Status quo The town has developed most of its easements for their intended purposes and is maintaining land holdings with no change of plans expected.

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

Longboat Key owns, uses and manages 61 land parcels but isn’t particularly interested in parting with any of it.

Planning, Zoning and Building Director Allen Parsons said the town occasionally gets inquires from people about buying land.

“Some of that may come from the perspective of, ‘Are these properties that can be developed or are these properties that could potentially be sold?’” Parsons said.

Parsons said one of the areas the town gets inquiries about is 6.1 acres along Binnacle Point Drive just north of Spanish Main and near Emerald Harbor.

“It is an open-space conservation zoned property, so that has some pretty restrictive reactions by zoning on it,” Parsons said. “It was given to the town as part of a settlement stipulation and acquired back in 1989 as a density swap for other properties.”

Emerald Harbor Association President Susan Jones said she and her neighbors were glad to hear the town’s code requires the property to “remain in (a) natural state with little or no disturbance.”

“It’s fine as it is,” Jones said. “We like that it’s not disturbed, and it’s basically trees, and there is flooding that goes on back there when there is high tide, so it is marshy back there.”

Jones said she’s spoken with neighbors about their hopes to keep the town-owned Binnacle Point Drive property in its current state.

“If you talk to most, if not all of the people within Emerald Harbor, they

TOP SPOTS Five biggest pieces of townowned land n Sisters Keys (Open Space): 99 acres n Joan M. Durante Park along with the stations for the Longboat Key Fire Rescue and Longboat Key Police departments: 41 acres n White Keys (Open Space): 37 acres n Quick Point Nature Preserve (Open Space): 32 acres n Open Space along Sarasota Bay, at the end of Binnacle Point Road: 8 acres Here is how the town’s biggest pieces of land compare to other private developments around Longboat Key: n Longboat Key Club: 410 acres n Residences at the St. Regis Longboat Key: 17.6 acres n Sage Longboat Key: 3.4 acres Information provided by Longboat Key Planning, Zoning and Building Director Allen Parsons.

would share that same view,” Jones said.

Parsons said he didn’t know all of the details of the Binnacle Point Drive settlement. However, Parsons said the land was initially zoned for open-space purposes but then got rezoned to restrict that.

“That’s not a property that would be developable without probably going back to that legal settlement agreement,” Parsons said.

Two easements exist in the Longbeach Village neighborhood that are not fully developed. Magnolia Road and Jackson Way are developed as streets, but parts of their rights of way — closer to Sarasota Bay — have not been developed. The town occasionally gets questioned on whether

File photo

Joan M. Durante Park, along with the stations for the Longboat Key Fire Rescue and Longboat Key Police departments, cover about 41 acres.

they could get developed as passive parks or public parking.

District 5 Commissioner Maureen Merrigan said she gets asked whether the town could use the Jackson Way easement as a potential place for the Longboat Key Police Department to dock its boat or as a dog park.

“Definitely no,” Town Attorney Maggie Mooney said. “These right of ways are dedicated for a particular use.”

Currently, the Longboat Key Police Department docks its boats at the Harbourside Docks.

Mayor Ken Schneier asked if the town could build another boat dock like the Linley Street boat ramps.

“People often say we don’t have enough of that,” Schneier said.

“We need to look at those documents and the specific plots and the right of ways and what those reserved uses were,” Mooney said. “And then, the answer can be determined based upon that review.”

Parsons said the town is limited

in whether it could further develop the Magnolia Road and Jackson Way easements.

“Generally, as I noted before, easements are dedicated for very specific purposes,” Parsons said. “These are rights of way easements for transportation, so the ability of the town to be able to develop more amenities on there is going to be fairly limited.”

Parsons said the town considers none of its holdings “surplus.”

“It’s recommended that none of those be considered surplus,” Parsons said. “Surplus is a way in which property that’s obsolete, unused, can be considered for some disposition, donating it, selling that property.”

Parsons also said Longboat Key is different from other municipalities throughout Florida. “(Other) jurisdictions may get proprieties just by virtue of people being delinquent on their taxes and ultimately, that going to that jurisdiction,” he said. “We just don’t have that kind of situation here.”

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*Although the town has 12 public beach access points, Planning Zoning and Building Director Allen Parsons said the two listed are town-owned parcels. Parsons said the other remaining 10 beach access points are considered rights of way.

Info provided by the town of Longboat Key.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

Eric Garwood

The Fillmore Drive lot is 1.98 acres. It and the adjacent curbside paid spaces can hold 268 cars.

City parks proposals to develop St. Armands lot Sarasota leaders vote 4-1 to take no action on proposals to build on city-owned parking lot.

ERIC GARWOOD MANAGING EDITOR

W

hat started in May as an unsolicited offer to buy and redevelop a city-owned parking lot on St. Armands Key came to a close – for now – on Monday with a Sarasota City Commission vote to take no further steps on the proposal.

The 4-1 vote doesn’t mean a developer couldn’t return with a revised offer for the 1.98-acre lot on Fillmore Drive.

But the unique provisions of St. Armand Circle’s paid-parking program and the requirements of a parking-garage bond that runs until

2038 prompted both City Attorney Robert Fournier and City Manager Marlon Brown to recommend commissioners set aside the plan.

“The time will come when it’s quite doable,” Fournier said, adding that now was not the time.

The interest in the Fillmore Drive lot dates to mid-2021, when representatives for JWM Management presented conceptual plans to the commission. JWM outlined its desire to construct a hotel, grocery store and residences. Following that offer, city commissioners in August signaled a desire to receive offers from any prospective purchasers.

Five offers were received ranging from $5 million to $11.8 million.

Condominiums and other hotels were suggested by developer Gregory Thomas Leonard, Jebco Ventures and Property Markets Group, Ocean Properties, Martin Hyde and JWM. But parking, as in the number of

paid city spaces now on the site, the number of paid city spaces on streets nearby and the number of private spaces required by a private development, arose as a critical issue.

Why? Because the city agreed to use paid-parking revenue to fund the construction of the Adams Drive garage on St. Armands. Under the terms of the 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. And bonds don’t work like typical consumer or mortgage loans. Often there is no provision for payoff earlier than the call date, which in this case happens no earlier than 2027. The bond expires in 2038.

Construction would take away revenue for roughly 18 months, and those 268 city slots were rendered unusable, cutting into the required income. There are about 1,600 paid parking slots in St. Armands in total.

Any developer would be required to not only replace those 268 spaces upon completion, but also come up with a plan to bridge the revenue gap created by construction and still find room for up to 100 or so privatebusiness spaces. Complicating matters, the maximum building height there is 35 feet, making a parking garage underneath a difficult proposition.

Brown said in October, and reiterated on Monday, that paying to retire the bond at the earliest possible date, 2027, would cost $16 million. The money, he said on Monday, would likely have to come from the city’s general fund.

“I’m really not in favor of using our general fund balance just so we can facilitate this sale that from every calculation I’m seeing doesn’t seem to give us that much of a benefit fiscally,” Mayor Erik Arroyo said.

In voting to take no further steps on the Fillmore Drive proposal, commissioners said it might make sense later to issue a request for proposal or an invitation to negotiate that includes specific points on what the city would like to see developed on the land, including potential zoning changes that could accommodate taller buildings with more parking options.

LONGBOAT KEY MAYOR’S STATEMENT “Thanks for the opportunity to speak to you again regarding the contemplated sale and development of the Fillmore lot on St. Armand’s key, part of a twopronged effort by certain parties to further develop that critical district. As Mayor of Longboat Key, I recognize that we are not a part of the city, but we are your closest neighbor and St. Armands’ biggest fan.

“The desirability of our barrier islands is not coincidental; nor is it automatic or predestined. It is fragile and takes studious care. Anyone who visits St. Armands on Halloween, Christmas Eve, or any time during season understands its special character and why the crowds gather there to enjoy its restaurants, shops and access to the beaches. No one has ever said to me, ‘Why are there so few people here?,’ ‘Why are there so many parking spaces,’ or ‘Gee, if we only had a hotel.’

“It is human nature to want to grow bigger and grander. And sometimes expansionary redevelopment is appropriate — for instance, where a property or neighborhood is failed or failing, or where a particular need must be filled.

But sometimes, as here, where the golden goose is thriving, if not bursting at the seams, it is incumbent on government to draw the line.

“I would only ask that you do what makes sense: refresh St. Armands, as some have done. Add space or a convenience store where it is allowed.

But please don’t remove parking; don’t increase density or height; don’t exacerbate the gridlocked traffic we on the barrier islands live with every day; and don’t sell the city’s most valuable asset on the keys.

“Finally, we on Longboat have watched with sympathy as residents of Siesta Key have tried to resist the tide of over-dense construction on their island. When their efforts to create their own community for this very reason were blocked, Sarasota extended a hand and invited Siesta to join the city, presumably at least in part to achieve that goal. Here is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the bona fides of that invitation by protecting another barrier island from unnecessary and unwanted growth.”

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

EARLY START 7:32 a.m., 1600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Noise complaint from land: The sound of construction equipment prompted a call to police. An officer advised the foreman of a construction project about the allowed hours for such noise. The foreman said he had lost track of time and ceased the work until the proper hour.

THURSDAY, FEB. 3

THEY CAN STAY 8 a.m., 500 block of Linley Street Citizen assist: A landlord asked police to stand by while he spoke to tenants about what he called violations of their rental agreement. He told police an eviction was possible, though there was some room for explanation. The landlord and tenants spoke, and the tenants appeared to provide a viable reason for the violations. The landlord said there was no need for continued police presence.

SATURDAY, JAN. 29

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION 9:44 p.m., 5400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Welfare check: A woman called police from her home in California, concerned about a relative in Longboat Key with whom she could not make contact. Police went to the address and found the relative safe. He said he had accidentally left his phone in the car of a real estate agent and was unable to call. An officer allowed the man to use a police department phone to call back.

audience to be evacuated from the Van Wezel. The crowd stood in the chilly weather until officials confirmed it was a false alarm.

The audience eagerly returned to the auditorium to hear Barry’s thoughts on modern comedy, the idea of cancel culture and how his weekend trip to the Florida Keys was interrupted by the news that he had won a Pulitzer.

MONDAY, JAN. 31

MAKING HOLES 3:23 p.m., 700 block of Saint Judes Drive South

—HARRY SAYER

HE’S BACK 5 p.m., 500 block of Sanctuary Drive Citizen assist: An officer was directed to a home following a report of a man who had gone for a walk but not returned. The man, who experiences dementia, was found before the police could arrive. He was fine.

RUFF, RUFF! (FIRE, FIRE!) 8:01 p.m., 6800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Fire assist: Police and fire-rescue units responded to a home following a report of a fire in the driveway. The flames were quickly extinguished.

The resident said oily rags used by a crew staining the home were to blame and that his dog had alerted him to the fire.

LET THERE BE (AUTOMATIC) LIGHT 8:55 p.m., 500 Bay Isles Parkway Citizen assist: A driver told a police officer she was having trouble seeing her lane while driving north on Gulf of Mexico Drive. The officer assessed the driver as being in good health and in no need of medical attention. He then checked her vehicle and discovered the headlight switch was in the off position, instead of automatic. With the headlights now activated, the driver was able to proceed home without incident.

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umor writer Dave Barry kept the crowd in stitches during an eventful RCLA Town Hall lecture on Feb. 7.

Dozens of Ringling College Library Association supporters traveled to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall to see the Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist, who replaced photographer Paul Nicklen as speaker for February’s event.

The event proved full of surprises, though, when a fire alarm was triggered and forced Barry and the entire

TUESDAY, FEB. 1

FRIDAY, JAN. 28

Columnist, author makes RCLA crowd laugh

7

COPS CORNER

IN PERSON ONLY 9:26 a.m., 2100 block of Harbourside Drive Citizen assist: A caller asked police to come pick up unneeded medications from her home but to call before arriving. An officer called but received a busy signal. Upon his arrival, he told the caller such a drug disposal needed to take place in person at the police station.

Above: Town Hall Chair Ashley Brown ends the event with a Q&A with Dave Barry. Left: The audience had to wait outside for a time until it was all clear to head back in.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

Citizen assist: Police responded to a work area after a caller advised that a crew taking part in the town’s underground utilities project was drilling on the wrong side of the road. The caller wanted to file an official report. Police asked a member of the town’s Public Works Department to come speak to the caller.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 2

Photos by Harry Sayer

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

OPINION / OUR VIEW

LONGBOAT

“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 Digital & Engagement Editor / Kaelyn Adix, KAdix@YourObserver.com Copy Editor / Shawn Candela, SCandela@YourObserver.com Editorial Designers / Melissa Leduc, MLeduc@YourObserver.com; José Valle, JValle@YourObserver.com A+E Editor / Spencer Fordin, SFordin@YourObserver.com Black Tie Editor / Harry Sayer, HSayer@YourObserver.com Courtesy photo

Autonomous weeders can remove weeds from crops without herbicide.

Everglades, Sarasota Bay could benefit from robot technology Automated weeders could save farmers from using harmful herbicides that contribute to runoff and poor water quality.

ADRIAN MOORE AND GRAYCE BURNS

I

t is likely that weed killer and pesticide runoff from all of us who live near the water, and from farms, contribute significantly to fueling both red tide and blue-green algae outbreaks in Florida. Both cause massive sea life die-offs and foul our beaches and coastal waters, with grave impact to the environment and our beachtourism-based economy. Keeping our water and beaches clean is vital for a better environment and our quality of life.

Technological innovations in agriculture promise to make big inroads in reducing agricultural runoff into rivers, streams and coastal waters and might soon expand to lawn care and landscaping to reduce harmful runoff from urban and suburban areas. In the last few decades, new farming technologies like surveillance drones, autonomous tractors and high-tech greenhouses improved farming efficiency. Those technologies have already spilled over to urban and suburban uses, especially drones and robomowers. New advancements in weed control techniques could be the next big agricultural tech breakthrough to transform modern farming.

For example, a company called Carbon Robotics is one of several companies that make automated farming equipment, including what it calls the “Autonomous Laserweeder,” an automated weeding machine using laser beams to zap a field’s weeds — no chemicals required.

Automated, laser-guided methods of weed control for agriculture could mean that farmers will no longer have to use dangerous herbicides or less-effective natural weed control options. Because natural herbicides cannot kill the roots of weeds as effectively as more chemically modified compounds, many natural pesticides require farmers to spray their crops multiple times a

season, whereas traditional chemical methods need only one application but are loaded with chemicals that poison our waters.

Roboweeders can fully weed anywhere from 15 to 20 acres a day, while weeding by hand the average farm team could barely cover that same ground in a week. And the roboweeder can work day and night, in bad weather, and kills only the weeds and not beneficial plants.

It also does not harm the soil like herbicides do, so the need for soil additives is reduced. Adding up the savings from not buying herbicides and soil additives and the higher productivity of the roboweeder, the economics of lasers over spraying start to makes sense.

This technology, like the others mentioned, starts with farms and their economies of scale.

Laserweeding works by using high-resolution cameras to differentiate weeds from crops and avoid harming the health of the soil. The learning and improvements from agricultural uses will make it easier to build databases to allow that system to recognize yard, garden and decorative plants from weeds.

As the technology improves and costs come down, it is easy to see how they can be used by homeowners and landscapers in urban and suburban settings.

Laserweeding might also have direct benefits for human health.

Current estimates suggest that her-

bicide use within the last half century has caused major soil depletion, leading researchers to estimate that vegetables have lost up to 40% of their nutritional value compared with older crops. Since the farmer does not have to use any chemicals at all, laserweeding is likely more beneficial for the soil than even the safest herbicides. This is even more true for home gardens, where herbicides can get directly onto food plants and the effects on the soil are more concentrated.

It is generally exciting to see the market, and technological innovation, coming up with new ways to solve a tough tradeoff in farming—how to balance keeping food prices down with low-cost weed control vs the harms herbicides can inflict. It’s even more exciting when the same innovation can help us all to cut or eliminate herbicide runoff from our homes, parks, golf courses, street medians, etc. Every bit of that runoff we reduce helps reduce the risk of red tide and bluegreen algae outbreaks. Never seeing one of those again is something we think everyone can get behind.

Adrian Moore is the vice president of Reason Foundation and lives in Sarasota, and Grayce Burns is a writer for the organization.

LETTERS Recoveries are not proof that drug works I was dismayed to read the opinion article by Matt Walsh discussing the “success” stories of Vanessa Hamalian, a nurse practitioner who prescribes ivermectin as both a preventive and treatment for COVID-19, among other protocols.

Credible science is based on large, randomized controlled studies, not the individual experiences of a few.

If I tossed a coin 10 times and seven times it landed on a head, it would not be justified to conclude that tossing coins will turn up a head 70% of the time.

It was recognized early on that the vaccines did not prevent becoming “infected,” which simply means harboring the virus. That is why, despite being fully vaccinated, people were advised to keep wearing masks, maintain safe distancing and avoid indoor gatherings. This was because, although they might not be ill, they can still be highly effective vectors for transmitting

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, Taylor Poe, Louise Martin, Shawna Polana Digital Developer / Jason Camillo, JCamillo@YourObserver.com Director of Information Technology / Adam Quinlin, AQuinlin@YourObserver.com Chief Financial Officer / Laura Strickland, LStrickland@YourObserver.com Controller / Rafael Labrin, RLabrin@ YourObserver.com Office and Accounting Coordinator / Donna Condon, DCondon@ YourObserver.com

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the virus.

However, evidence has demonstrated that the vaccines are effective in preventing severe illness and death.

Although many people have died and have suffered longer effects from COVID-19, most people recover and do well. So, citing recovery as proof of the effectiveness of a treatment, in my opinion, is uninformed and irresponsible.

I am not a researcher, a virologist or an epidemiologist. I practiced medicine as a family doctor for 35 years. I learned during that time to listen to people who have earned their “chops” by extensive studies and doing credible research using the scientific method.

Viruses can only mutate when they can replicate. Until we can reduce the number of people who will continue to act as effective vectors for the virus, we will not be able to win this battle, and we may continue to struggle against new variants that may be even more deadly and able to bypass the avail-

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able vaccines.

A criticism of the mRNA vaccines, which has been frequently promulgated, is that they were launched too quickly under the “Operation Warp Speed.” The reality is that they have been under research and development for decades, which is why once the genome of the virus was known, vaccines to target it were able to be developed quickly.

It is unfortunate that a vaccine that might have prevented the death and lingering illness of so many people has become so politicized.

I hope this letter helps at least a few to go out and get vaccinated.

Yes, it has been said that the latest variant, omicron, is “milder,” but just remember “mild” is not the same thing as “milder.” If it were not a variant of “concern,” would so many people still be filling the hospitals and dying?

CEO / Matt Walsh Vice President / Lisa Walsh Chairman Emeritus / David Beliles 1970 Main St. Sarasota, FL 34236 941-366-3468 File photo

LORRAINE ROBERTSON, M.D. LAKEWOOD RANCH

Vanessa Hamalian treated more than 1,000 patients with ivermectin.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

Six inducted into St. Armands’ Ring of Fame 2022 ceremony moves under the big top to welcome half-dozen, including Nik Wallenda.

ERIC GARWOOD MANAGING EDITOR

N

ik Wallenda’s friends had some encouraging words Saturday night at the 26th annual induction ceremony for the Circus Ring of Fame, under the big top in Nathan Benderson Park.

There was Gov. Ron DeSantis on the giant video screen, followed by actor-comedian Paul Reubens.

There were Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski and the Rev. Joel Osteen. David Copperfield and Whoopi Goldberg sent video messages.

Between warm cheers from the crowd, their recorded messages were in step with the credo of the highwire walker and newest member of the Ring of Fame: “Don’t give up.”

Gronkowski even compared induction into the Ring of Fame to winning a Super Bowl, “and I know something about winning Super Bowls.”

Wallenda’s acceptance was the final piece in a glittering event held for the first time inside the big top instead of St. Armands Circle, where the Ring of Fame’s more than 140 members are honored with plaques on permanent display.

Circus Ring of Fame Chair William Powell told the audience the organization had plenty of time to rethink its plans for the event after cancelling in January 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While we honor our history, let’s not let it get in the way of progress,” he said in opening remarks to the two-hour, free-to-attend show that was streamed live on several circus-connected websites. “We are evolving our model. 2021 was a lot of meetings. It led to where were we are today.”

Saturday night featured tributes

Photos by Eric Garwood

to the inductees, performances by Sailor Circus’ Kaylee Dutkiewicz high above the circus ring and Elan Espana, an eighth-generation circus performer who dazzled the crowd with his Diablo juggling. Mayor Erik Arroyo and City Commission member Hagen Brody appeared, declaring Feb. 5 Circus Appreciation Day. Espana was also awarded the first Generation Next award, emblematic of a rising star in the circus world.

The real stars, however, were the six inductees. In a show hosted by ringmasters Heidi Herriott and Mike Naughton, medals and plaques were awarded to “Galaxy Girl” Tina Winn, longtime trapeze artist and Sailor Circus teacher Willie Edelston, circus producer George Carden, animal act trainers the Richter and Casserlly Families, the circus industry’s advance-promotion professionals and Wallenda.

Edelston’s son Tom accepted the award for his father, who died in 2021. Edelston signed with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus as a trapeze artist and performed extensively through the decades for numerous shows. He also volunteered for more than 50 years with Sarasota’s Sailor Circus, teaching the art of performing.

Above: Ringmasters Heidi Herriott and Mike Naughton preside over Saturday night’s big finale, the unveiling of the Ring of Fame plaques. Left: Inductee Nik Wallenda responds to the crowd’s applause.

Tom Edelston said it wasn’t unusual for former students of his father’s to rush up to him in public for a hug and a thank you. Tom said his father once told him that “if you were truly great, others will do your bragging for you.”

“Dad, right here with this, you have a lot of people bragging for you,” Tom Edelston said of the Ring of Fame plaque and medal. “You’re going to have a ring on St. Armands Circle for generations to come. Con-

gratulations, Dad. You do deserve it.”

Herriott introduced Wallenda as a performer with a deep connection to the early days of the circus. The Wallenda troupe was inducted into the Ring of Fame in 1988.

“They have dominated the headlines for over nine decades, starting with their first appearance with the Ringling Brothers Circus, the Greatest Show on Earth, in 1928,” she said. “Today, it’s only befitting that we honor the great-grandson of the family patriarch, Karl Wallenda.”

Of late, Wallenda has traversed Niagara Falls on a tightrope, and in 2019, along with Lijana Wallenda, crossed Times Square 25 stories above the street. In March 2020, Wallenda crossed a volcano in Nicaragua. During the local COVID-19 lockdown, Wallenda orchestrated a series of drive-in thrill shows at Benderson Park and around Florida.

“Reflecting on my career, I was writing some notes and started

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

9

THE INDUCTEES n Tina Winn: Performing as Galaxy Girl, the seventh-generation performer began her circus training as a child with her family and has performed for decades. She is an extreme aerialist, often performing up to 130 feet off the ground. n George Carden: A Missouribased circus producer who has raised millions of dollars for charitable causes through his circus and sponsoring organizations. n Willie Edelston: He signed with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus as a trapeze artist and performed extensively through the decades for numerous shows. He also volunteered for more than 50 years with Sarasota’s Sailor Circus. n The Casserlly and Richter Families: Among Europe’s top circus families, best known for animal acts and acrobatic productions. n The advance professionals: The Ring of Fame honored the industry’s promoters who execute marketing, advertising, sales, sponsorships and public relations fucntions. n Nik Wallenda: Great-grandson of legendary performer Karl Wallenda, Nik has performed recently in a series of televised high-wire shows over Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon, Times Square and an active Central American volcano.

bawling my eyes out,” Wallenda said.

“It was a life. I have been so beyond blessed.”

He said he owed all of his TV specials and fame to his family legacy.

“Life is being on stage; life is performing in front of a live audience; life is under a big top, in a ring, doing what I was made to do,” Wallenda said. “That’s life. I think we as performers often take our lives for granted. We take it for granted how blessed we are, to be able to do what we love. Something we are passionate about.”

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

Photos by Nat Kaemmerer

Above: Artists set up their booths in Town Center Green’s parking lot. Right: Artist Lindi Miller

Festival of the Arts draws crowds

S

Above: Sherry and Dave Thompson with Tony Tuseth Right: Artist Don McCullough

Above: Tube Dude set up a heart sculpture by the festival entrance. Left: Robert Johnson

—NAT KAEMMERER

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ome of the art at the Longboat Key Festival of the Arts probably looked familiar to anyone who’s driven down Gulf of Mexico Drive and noticed the multitude of Tube Dude mailboxes. The creator of those metal marvels, Scott Gerber, was just one of dozens of artists present at the first Festival of the Arts on the Key on Feb. 5-6.

Like the Market on Longboat Key, the festival took place in the parking lot of Town Center Green. Although the weekend stayed gray and chilly, hundreds came through the Longboat Key Festival of the Arts over the two days. There was only a slight drizzle on Feb. 5, and artists said it didn’t negatively impact the turnout too much. Residents and visitors still came out to browse the art, buy a few pieces and get some kettlecorn and lemonade from two stands set up in the parking lot.

Painter Robert Johnson, who used to be based on Anna Maria Island, brought a painting of Longboat Key that he said he made specifically for the island’s show. It’s his latest piece.

“It’s a good turnout for not great weather,” Johnson said. “It’s great to be here, and life is good when you’re on Longboat Key. Longboat Key needs a good annual art show, and I’m glad these guys got this going.”

Show director Elaine Laurent, who organized the festival with Howard Alan Events, said the event was mostly populated with Longboat Key locals who were interested in supporting local talent without having to leave the island.

“Everybody’s always nervous when a new show starts, but at 10 (a.m.) yesterday the gates opened and the floodgates opened,” Laurent said. “We got great comments on the quality of the art and how happy people are to have this show here. One artist had to close up shop because she sold out of everything.”

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

11

TRIBUTES Leonard Biberman, M.D. 1939-2022

gift of music (and a piano) to his granddaughter Josie, when she was 5 years old.

Josie continues to play piano and the saxophone, and is a member of her high school band in Sarasota, FL. He also enjoyed reading on a wide variety of topics including history, philosophy, religion, autobiographies, in addition to keeping up with several car magazines. He enjoyed his dog Freddie, skiing, tennis and for many years fishing.

He was buried on January 13, 2022, at Temple Beth Shalom Cemetery. Contributions can be made to Temple Beth Shalom, to the University of Virginia, or a Humane Society.

Leonard Biberman, M.D., passed away peacefully, on the night of January 10, 2022, with his wife, Gloria, his children (Sandra Liederman and Charles Biberman) and granddaughter Josie Liederman, by his side.

He is also survived by Susana, Charles’ wife, and Patrick, Charles’ stepson.

He is predeceased by his parents, Etta Epstein and Joseph Chaim Biberman and brothers, Marvin and Sidney, and his nephew Professor Matthew Biberman of Louisville, KY. Leonard was born on September 13, 1939 in Baltimore, Maryland, after which he was raised in Norfolk, Virginia. Leonard had the good fortune of growing up with a group of close friends, who he knew as classmates from grade school through high school; several of these friends were college fraternity brothers.

He graduated from Norfolk’s Maury High School in 1957. It was from his older brother Sidney, that he was exposed to motorcycles, from which led to a lifetime love of cars, and which also may have led to an interest in physics. Sidney was a wellknown builder and repairer of vintage motorcycles, including the Vincent, who operated a repair shop in Norfolk.

Leonard graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the Uni-

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Joyce Stacy and Merilyn McMurray

30th Field Hospital. During this time he and Gloria enjoyed travel in Europe, Israel and Jordan. In 1971 Leonard moved with his young family to Fishkill, and later to nearby Poughkeepsie, New York where he joined the Mid-Hudson Medical Group and attended to patients at Vassar Brothers Hospital, as an Internal Medicine and Cardiology Physician.

In 2005 he and his wife Gloria moved to Longboat Key, Florida, to retire where for years he had attended a medical meeting and made friends with a group of doctors and their spouses.

Leonard continued his involvement in medicine in retirement, working part time for about 16 years, in a pain clinic up until he entered the hospital upon his death.

Leonard was a loving, kind, driven and interesting man. He took piano lessons will into retirement and found pleasure in giving the

Leonard was a loving, kind, driven and interesting man. versity of Virginia in 3 years, in 1960, in the Philosophy Honors Program. He graduated from the University’s Medical School, in 1964.

While at Virginia, Leonard’s honors included living on the Lawn and Range and being a member of the Raven Society, the oldest and most prestigious honor society on the Grounds (campus). He also was a member of ZBT, with several of his friends from Norfolk.

Leonard’s training in Internal Medicine and Cardiology included work at Boston City Hospital in Boston and The University of Kentucky at Lexington.

Leonard served 3 years in the US Army as a Major in Augsburg, Germany at the

DONATIONS: Contributions can be made to Temple Beth Shalom, to the University of Virginia, or a Humane Society.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

TRIBUTES

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FROM

The family and friends of Christopher Boyne are sad to give news of his recent passing on January 29th, 2022.

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that was a haven to many of their friends for good times on the deck watching for manatee, enjoying cocktails, or a sunset boat ride in the Bay. Before most boating and fishing days, Chris would enjoy having breakfast with his friends at New Pass Bait Shop, where his business was located and where many fishing tales were shared with his buddies and associates.

A Catholic service of remembrance will be held at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea on Longboat Key, February 15th at 3:00 PM. Immediately following, there will be a celebration of life for Christopher at the New Pass Grill and Bait Shop on City Island in Sarasota.

Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Lynne Boyne at 630 Longview Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228. In lieu of flowers, Lynne has suggested that donations be made

His many clients will attest to the love of the sport and the open sea that Chris shared with them... to the GBS-CIDP Organization for the outreach, support, and research of Guillaine-Barre Syndrome and related variants of CIPD neurological disorders.

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Captain Chris, as he was affectionately known, was born on January 8, 1968 to parents Peter Boyne and Erma Zvonyik of Connecticut and is survived by the love of his life Lynne, and his parents, four sisters and two brothers in Connecticut.

With a tremendous love of fishing inspired by his grandfather, Chris made his way to Florida in the 1990’s and worked for firms in landscape design and irrigation that allowed the freedom to explore the waters off Sarasota shores.

While working a project in the Longboat Key neighborhoods, he met Lynne and they were married in 2000. While living on the Key, Chris began to work and became licensed as a sport fishing captain and eventually purchased his own vessel and began a deep-sea charter fishing business, Poco Grande Sportfishing.

His many clients will attest to the love of the sport and the open sea that Chris shared with them, scoring many a big fish and fabulous catches, plus a lot of fun times with new friendships.

Chris was also very capable in construction and with Lynne, designed and renovated their Longboat home

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

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YOUR CALENDAR

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

FRIDAY, FEB. 11

CLASSES IN THE GARDEN From 3-5 p.m. at Driftwood Beach Home and Garden, 6838 Gulf of Mexico Drive, take a Boards and Bubbles class with resident chef Tina Anderson. Attendees will sip bubbly and learn how to construct fruit, vegetable and charcuterie boards. $65 a person. Call 9600568 to register.

MONDAY, FEB. 14

PICKLEBALL BASICS At 11:30 a.m. outdoors at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road, learn the basics of pickleball.

Register by calling 383-6493. $10 per person or free for members.

VIJAY VENKATESH, PIANO From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key, watch a video of the Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning’s Music Monday performances with Vijay Venkatesh, Indian-American pianist. $10 per person. Visit SILLSarasota.org or TBI-LBK.org.

sessions, ending Feb. 28. $120 for members, $130 for others. Call 383-8222 or email EducationCenter@TBI-LBK.org to register.

third Thursday of the month for breakfast and a speaker. Breakfast is $10. Email Lynn Larson at lynnlarson@comcast.net to register.

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.

FUNCTIONAL FITNESS From 9-10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, with certified fitness trainer Gerald Scott. Increase strength and balance for all levels.

Eight sessions end Feb. 24. $88 for members and $104 for others. Call 383-8222 or email EducationCenter@TBI-LBK.org to register.

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.

THURSDAY, FEB. 17

GUIDED AUTOBIOGRAPHY From 1-2 p.m. on Zoom with the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel with Melissa Kotler Schwartz. Eight sessions began Jan. 10 but can be prorated for four sessions. $145 for members and $155 for others. Call 383-8222 or email EducationCenter@TBI-LBK. org to register.

SATURDAY, FEB. 19

HOLLYWOOD ICONS THROUGH THE DECADES (1920S-1950S) From 1-4 p.m. on Zoom and inperson at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, with film critic Gus Mollasis. View movies followed by discussion. Available on a prorated basis. $75 for members and $85 for others. Call 383-8222 or email EducationCenter@TBI-LBK.org to register.

GOLF TOURNAMENT With an 8 a.m. start time and 7 a.m. registration, the St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church Men’s Club will host a golf tournament at the Harbourside Golf Course.

The tournament will be an 18-hole scramble with prizes, a raffle and silent auction. The tournament is $150 and includes lunch. Call 3831255 to register.

SAVOR THE SOUNDS At 5:30 p.m. at Town Center Green, 600 Bay Isles Road, enjoy a concert by Kettle of Fish. Picnics are encouraged, and attendees can buy tickets for $25 each ahead of time or a VIP table for $250. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Longboat Key Chamber office, 5390 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 102, in The Centre Shops on Longboat Key. For information call 383-2466.

RECURRING EVENTS MONDAYS

GENTLE CHAIR YOGA From 9-10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, with Emme Shapiro, certified yoga instructor.

Eight sessions, but can be prorated. $88 for members and $104 for others. Call 383-8222 or email EducationCenter@TBI-LBK.org to register.

AT THE MOVIES From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Zoom and at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, with film critic Gus Mollasis.

Discuss assigned films over eight

MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

LONGBOAT LIBRARY The Longboat Library is open again from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visit the library at 555 Bay Isles Road. There will also be a half-price sale on the library’s collection of used books every Wednesday. Call 383-2011 for information.

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY

MUSCLES AND MORE WITH ANN ALVIS From 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 GMD, use strength equipment to build flexibility, endurance and balance. Class focuses on proper lifting technique. Class is $10 for members and $15 for others. Visit LongboatKey.org for information.

PUMPING THE PRIME WITH MIRABAI HOLLAND At 10 a.m. at the Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 GMD, take this low-impact cardio and strength class. Participants should be able to get up and down from the floor. Bring a mat or towel.

Classes are outside. Class is $10 for members and $15 for others.

File photo

BEST BET FRIDAY, FEB. 11

THE MARKET ON LONGBOAT KEY From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Town Center Green, 600 Bay Isles Road, browse the wares of 66 vendors, including three food trucks. The market will feature products including produce, art and home goods. Email Nancy@CoquinaMarket.com for information.

For information, email Mirabai Holland at mirabai@movingfree.com or call 201-956-1466

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 FOR HEALTH & VITALITY From 9-10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, with Brian Nell.

Improve your balance, loosen your joints and increase flexibility with this gentle movement. Eight sessions end Feb. 22. Join on a prorated basis; $88 for members and $104 for others. Call 383-8222 or email EducationCenter@TBI-LBK. org to register.

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.

Cost is $10. RSVP required; call 383-6493.

MAH JONGG From 1-3 pm at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Fun time for experienced players. To check availability at the tables, email MaryAnnBrady@TheParadiseCenter.org.

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 203605-4066 or email Info@LongboatKeyRotary.org.

TUESDAYS AND THURSDAY

PILATES SCULPT WITH DEBBY DEBILE From 9-10 a.m. at the Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 GMD. Class is $10 for members and $15 for others. Visit LongboatKey.org for information.

FEEL GOOD YOGA WITH DEBBY DEBILE From 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 GMD, get into this therapeutic yoga style that combines gentle vinyasa, alignment and restorative yoga. Suitable for all levels. Class is $10 for members and $15 for others. Visit LongboatKey.org for information.

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 383-6493.

YOU’VE GOT TO SEE THIS MOVIE From 1-2:30 p.m. and 3-4:30 p.m. on Zoom and in-person at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, with movie critic Kathie Moon. Discuss assigned movies. Eight sessions end Feb. 23. $120 for members and $130 for others. Call 383-8222 or email EducationCenter@TBI-LBK. org to register.

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

5 Ways to Worship at All Angels

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

941-383-8161 • www.AllAngelsLBK.org

371510-1

• Walk-up Church - listen to the service outside

Catholic Church

Sunday Service 10:00 AM The Rev. Pritchard The Dr. Rev.Norman Dr. FredM. Finks

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

Masks Are Optional

Visitors & Residents Welcome

372272-1

www.christchurchlbk.org

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.

372308-1

372658-1

Watch Our 10:00 AM Service Live:

An Ecumenical Church that Welcomes all People Founded in 1956

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.

St. Mary, Star of the Sea,

Worship With Us at Our Church

•

TAI CHI From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Reuben Fernandez teaches the class outdoors, weather permitting. Free for members; $10 for others. Walkins welcome. Call 383-6493.

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

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Dedication of our Church Home

941.383.8833 (office)

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. Free for members; $10 for others. Call 383-6493.

Saturday at 5pm Sunday at 9 & 11am or worship with us online at saklc.com/live or via Facebook

• Zoom service - join meeting number 595-570-1807

•

FRIDAYS

JOIN US WORSHIP

• Live-stream - go to AllAngelsLBK.org to watch on-line

6400 Gulf of Mexico Dr.

THE FOREIGN FILM FEST From 2-5 p.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road with film critic Gus Mollasis. View and discuss assigned films. Four sessions begin Feb. 3. $75 for members and $110 for others. Call 383-8222 or email EducationCenter@TBI-LBK.org to register.

LUTHERAN CHURCH

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

www.bit.ly/cclbksermons or www.christchurchlbk.org (follow YouTube link)

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 $10. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

St. Armands Key

All Angels Episcopal Church | 563 Bay Isles Rd

Growing in Jesus’ Name

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 teachers.

All skill levels are welcome. There is an $8 suggested donation for each session. Refreshments will be provided. RSVP to 952-9251.

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

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

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

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

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Known as Florida’s Cultural Coast® Sarasota is well known for its abundance of arts all within a small geographic area. Fill your days fishing, kayaking and paddle boarding in the Sarasota Bayfront.

Head to Lido Key, dotted with farmers markets, festivals, and white sand beaches. Charter a boat from Marina Jack or stroll around St. Armands Circle. When night falls, the fun continues with live jazz, the Sarasota Opera, Circus Arts Conservatory, The Rosemary District, and hundreds of world-class culinary options.

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East views from Peninsula site

Classifieds 30 Games 29 Real Estate 27 Weather 29

FEBRUARY 10, 2022

YOUR NEIGHBORS YOUR GUIDE TO

ISLAND R MANCE

A

romantic day in paradise sounds like a dream — and for couples on Longboat Key, that dream can come true most days of the year. But on Valentine’s Day, you’ve got to up your game. We’ve got ideas for several

kinds of couples, so take a look, make your plans, and enjoy a day of romance.

And if all else fails or these couple types don’t ring true, you’re still a Longboat couple — head to the beach for sunset.

—NAT KAEMMERER

For the adventurous couple: A boat trip Longboat Key residents Mike and Sue Ann Ciccone’s dates often revolve around happy hour or the high seas. What’s more romantic than a boat, your partner and a sunset? The pair will pack up lunches (from Publix, of course, Sue Ann said) and head out to Beer Can Island. Sometimes they’re with friends, but sometimes they go by themselves and enjoy each other’s company.

Don’t own a boat? Kayaks or paddleboards are boats, too, you know. And they’re much easier to rent than a powerboat if you’re not experienced in things nautical. Pack lunch, sip a drink, and don’t forget to look so deeply into each other’s eyes that you forget to watch the sunset.

As for the Ciccones, Mike is working on Valentine’s Day, so they’ll celebrate another time, including in April, by embarking on a boat of a different tonnage for an anniversary cruise. But of course, Sue Ann will still get flowers — she prefers orchids to classic roses.

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Ron Shields and Brenda Terihay are tennis players, but they don’t take their love to the court — Terihay insists she couldn’t keep up with former Longboat Key Public Tennis Center pro Shields.

Brenda “We are very competitive,” Terihay Terihay said. “One thing we and Ron haven’t done that I’ll win is pingShields. pong.”

They do play putt-putt, which Terihay wins more often. The pair met through tennis after mutual friends insisted they had to meet, and they’ll be getting married on Feb. 22.

If one of you isn’t a top-notch tennis pro for a living, you might find “love” on the tennis court. Terihay and Shields say several of their couple friends who are more evenly matched play doubles or singles against each other, but not with them, because no one wants Shields and Terihay on the same deadly team.

If you’re the sporty types, link up with another couple and battle for courtship champions, or if you’ve got a running mental tally on everything either of you has won during your relationship, duke it out against each other. Even if you lose singles, you’ll still be a couple.

For the quiet couple: Read their mind Sue Ann and Mike Ciccone

For the traditional couple: Dinner at a nice restaurant

Catherine and Michael Garey head the Lazy Lobster on Longboat Key, which will have specials for Valentine’s Day.

For the sporty couple: Love on the court

Google “romantic restaurant Longboat Key” and just about every spot on the island comes up: Euphemia Haye, Lazy Lobster, Dry Dock, La Norma, Shore, Mar Vista, you name it. No couple can go wrong with dinner for two, and a little collaboration and menu research before heading out will ensure the perfect experience.

Seafood savants will find their favorites at Lazy Lobster, Dry Dock, Chart House and Shore, while the hardcore romantics might fall for the twinkling lights at Euphemia Haye. Make sure you have reservations beforehand or you’ll end up with a pub-sub or a slice of pizza, floundering on V-Day. With a dinner date on Valentine’s Day, why not go the whole nine yards? Put on a nice outfit, greet your girl with flowers, and pick her up at the door like it’s your first date.

Romance each other — it won’t be easier than at a dinner for two, Longboat Key style.

There are plenty of romance books to be had at the library, or novels that pique your partner’s interest.

If you’re the type of couple who says it all by saying nothing at all, try a reading date for Valentine’s Day. Longboat Library volunteer and avid reader Anne Roberts said she and her late husband always got each other books for holidays, because they were both bookworms and knew what the other liked.

For your bibliophile beau, plan a date to the Longboat Library and see how well you can pick out their next great read. Rather than doing the whole song-and-dance of a dinner date, make a nice meal at home before settling into your favorite spots and reading each other’s books.

For the outdoorsy couple: A picnic at Joan M. Durante Park

What better spot for a romantic picnic than a park that one man named for his beloved wife? James Durante donated money to the town for the park and named it after his late wife, Joan, who was very outdoorsy by all accounts. Pack a picnic or grab food from Harry’s Continental Kitchens nearby and take a walk to the gazebo in the park. You’ll have to bring your own table, but you and your sweetheart will get some quality time alone with you and the trees. After your picnic, walk to the magnolia tree planted in honor of Joan or back to a bench with a view of the bay.

The pavilion in Joan Durante Park is perfect for a picnic.

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

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

Experiments in exercise

Right: Attendees were identified with gold stars on their shirts after they checked in. Far right: Reuben Fernandez leads the class in tai chi.

F

Photos by Nat Kaemmerer

Above: About 30 people came to try exercises.

Far left: Debbie White leads the class in hula.

Left: Sandi Love leads in the healing art of qi gong.

or several people, it was their first time swaying in time with music, imitating rain and the sun and the sea with their hands as they moved their feet in the motion of hula. And for many of those people, it wouldn’t be the last. About 30 people attended The Paradise Center’s FitFest on Feb. 4 and tried out seven exercise classes, including Debbie White’s hula class.

“It was my first time at The Paradise Center,” Peep Brereton said. “I’m going to come back and hula dance. It’ll be completely new.”

Executive Director Suzy Brenner organized teachers into 15-minute increments and kept them all on schedule with bite-sized bouts of movement. Classes included Zumba, Pilates, stretch and strengthen, hula, tai chi, qi gong and meditation. This is the first time Brenner organized the event at The Paradise Center’s building, but it had been done four years ago at the organization’s Longboat Island Chapel home and two years ago at Temple Beth Israel.

“We have a lot of people who just come for one or two things and assume they wouldn’t like hula or Zumba,” Brenner said. “This way it kind of forces them to try things.”

About half of the attendees were nonmembers, including several people Brenner said she didn’t recognize. Several people who had come to play mahjong put on their comfiest, stretchiest clothes for FitFest, and even people who said they would come sit and watch classes got pulled into participating by the infectious energy in The Paradise Center’s parking lot.

“It can be intimidating to go to a new place, no matter how old you are, so this is a good way to try something new,” Brenner said.

She led three classes herself, while Debbie White led hula, Sandi Love led qi gong and meditation, and Reuben Fernandez led tai chi.

Cutting down their classes to fit into 15-minute increments was difficult because each instructor wanted to highlight the best parts of their practice while still doing it properly.

“It takes a lot of thought,” Fernandez said.

“What I think is that people think about tai chi classes as a choreography of movements, or what we call our flow, so I thought that’s what I’ll focus on.”

—NAT KAEMMERER

JUST LISTED

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 372294-1

941.724.7228

CathyMeldahl@michaelsaunders.com

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FULL BAY VIEWS

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18-story luxury development located on Boulevard of the Arts in the heart of downtown Sarasota’s Waterfront District. The project will provide lavish amenities, the latest smart building technology and stunning views of Bay Park, Sarasota Bay and the city skyline. Typical floor plans $1.9M - $5.5M / Penthouses $7.5M - $14M

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RYAN ACKERMAN ryan@ackermangroup.net

CALL US TODAY! (941) 387-1820 St. Armands Office: 443 John Ringling Blvd., Ste. FL, Sarasota, FL 34236 Longboat Key Office: 595 Bay Isles Rd., Suite 250, Longboat Key, FL 34228 This is not a solicitation of another broker’s listing.. Market data supplied by Market Quest June 2021.

BARBARA ACKERMAN barbara@ackermangroup.net

THE ACKERMAN GROUP THE NAME TO KNOW IN REAL ESTATE 371495-1

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

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

AHOY: The “Captain” at the Longboat Key Club Moorings.

FAM I LY THEY’RE BACK...

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

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WHITNEY BEACH PLAZA • 6840 GULF OF MEXICO DR. • LONGBOAT KEY

At Toale Brothers, we understand the value of A COVID Vaccine Mandated Campus

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loved ones. That’s why we are still owned and

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

REID MURPHY PRESENTS

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

941-232-3304

Reid Murphy is an expert realtor backed by 30+ years of experience in the luxury real estate market of Longboat Key and surrounding areas. Passionate about providing realtor services beyond ordinary, and his ability to understand individual needs, along with a commitment to deliver a smooth transaction makes him one of the most sought after real estate agents in the region.

Buying or selling, Reid will lead you through a smooth and successful real estate experience throughout Sarasota, the islands, Bird Key, Lido, and St. Armands.

NEWLY LISTED

BLACKBURN BAY OSPREY $3,195,000 Boater’s Dream 4BR/3.5Ba on .58 acres w/private dock + sandy launch for small watercraft. Direct access & extensive views of Intracoastal and sunsets over Casey Key.

SARASOTA PENTHOUSE $5,875,000 Downtown Ritz Carlton 3BR Ensuite Residence. Magnificent 4,276 sf open floor plan. Spectacular views. World class amenities.

LONGBOAT KEY SEA GATE $1,895,000 Direct Gulf Front, pristine 2nd floor end-unit 2BR/2BA. Floor to ceiling sunsets.

Covered balcony for relaxing beachside. Beachside heated pool and a long stretch of beach dotted with tiki huts and lounge chairs. Resort-like amenities.

LONGBOAT KEY BAYFRONT ESTATE $6,595,000 Rare opportunity to build your dream home! Oversized Bayfront lot, 100ft on the bay, beach access across the street w/ side canal for privacy. Elevated separate guest house w/parking beneath is a bonus structure no longer permitted for new builds.

LONGBOAT KEY PRE-CONSTRUCTION Unique opportunity to purchase a waterfront dream home on an extremely private estatesized lot. 5BR, 5.5BA home,4,400 SF. Pool w/ spa. Deep water dock. $4,795,000

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22

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

Wine, cheese and pre-owned paintings

P Linn Torres painstakingly organized the paintings.

re-owned, pre-loved, prepared paintings and other artwork nearly covered the walls of the gallery at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church at the opening of the church’s New to You art sale.

On Feb. 3, about 30 people came to browse the pieces of art, which ranged from large paintings to tiny pottery creations, donated by church and community members.

This is the second year of the sale.

Office director Linn Torres put the gallery together, taking artwork down and putting it back up until she had a look she loved.

More than 100 pieces came into the church for the sale, and Torres couldn’t even fit them all out there at first. Even with some still in the back, there were several frames leaned against the wall. They’ll keep taking pieces throughout the month so they can be sold or kept for a future gallery.

“New art is literally arriving every day,” Torres said. “On the first day, I sold five pieces, and five pieces were brought in. I’m so

IF YOU GO The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Visit the church at 563 Bay Isles Road, or call 3838161 for information.

grateful to the community.”

The money raised, which rose to more than $1,000 in the first few days of the gallery, will be donated to Habitat for Humanity. All Angels is involved in the Interfaith Build this year, in which several communities of faith work together to build a home. Director of Development Emily Lane spoke at the wine and cheese hour about the family that will receive the home. A working woman will get an ADAcompliant home so her 20-yearold son with cerebral palsy can take care of himself at home while she works. Three church members attended the home’s groundbreaking on Jan. 27.

Elaine Smith, Emily Lane and the Rev. Dave Marshall

—NAT KAEMMERER Above: Donna and David Cassesse Below: Allen McGee and Anne Roberts

Above: Larry and Pam Elder Below: Sandy Wood and Cathie Wilt

Photos by Nat Kaemmerer

Judy Weidemann, Linda Drajem, Mary Callahan and Mary Moses

40% Water.

100% Fun. Lakewood Ranch living with a twist Waterside is more than just a place for living. It’s a place for shopping, dining, exploring and adventuring. Here, life happens around seven pristine lakes with 20 miles of shoreline, acres of nature preserve and Waterside Place, a dynamic lakefront town center, all connected by trails, paths and water taxi.

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© 2022 Lakewood Ranch. Product, pricing and amenities subject to change without notice.

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Just Listed

Country Club Shores

500 Halyard Lane • Longboat Key, FL

"Elevate Your Escape”

$2,495,000

Stylish and comfortably appointed waterfront home and ½ acre lot in the esteemed Country Club Shores community on Longboat Key. Striking ceiling architecture, recessed lighting and a row of skylights create an ambiance of openness bathed in natural light. Open the full wall of sliders in the great room to seamlessly connect the interior to the exterior, where the expansive, enhanced pool area awaits. The split plan boasts 2 full bedrooms plus a third converted bedroom, with the master suite offering access to the pool area, breathtaking canal vistas and an opulent master bath.

Bruce Myer

Realtor

®

941.376.5311 595 BAY ISLES ROAD, SUITE 250 LONGBOAT KEY, FL 34228

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Bruce@BruceMyer.com • www.BruceMyer.com

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

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

WHY? WHY?

Nat Kaemmerer

Drifting into place The store on the north end of Longboat Key has catered to and cultivated its community for a year.

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

NAT KAEMMERER STAFF WRITER

Consider Selling Your Property In ThisProperty Robust Market Consider Selling Your

In This Robust Market

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

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

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

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

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

Longboat Anna Maria Island • Sarasota Longboat Key Office • 5360 Gulf of Mexico Drive,Key Ste•101 • Longboat Key, FL Lakewood Ranch • East & West Bradenton

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24

Business in the front and party in the back was the motto at Driftwood Beach Home and Garden’s one-year anniversary celebration. Owner Heather Rippy balanced customers streaming in and out of the store with a birthday celebration in the back, complete with elaborate charcuterie boards made on items from the store and pretty paper plates and napkins from her picnic section.

“I’m just so grateful,” Rippy said.

“I feel so, so lucky. I have the nicest customers ever, and I really feel like we’ve been able to create community here.”

The community showed for the celebration, stopping in for a quick, “congratulations” or staying for chit-chat and some chow. Tina Anderson, a chef who does classes at the store’s garden, put together the charcuterie boards, and Rippy’s daughters, Bliss and Lark, helped keep the dessert table stocked for residents and customers who’d been coming since nearly the beginning.

One couple, Larry and Melissa Robb, learned of the store when they biked by it. They’d stop in on their bikes and come back with the car to buy the items they’d fallen in love with.

“To bring it from what it was in a year to this is amazing,” Larry Robb said. “There’s always something new. It’s a highlight to take a bike ride and see what Heather’s doing.”

Rippy has curated a collection of eclectic home and garden items, from cookbooks in every color and food group imaginable to a range of pots and garden gloves to accompany the seeds and orchids she sells. Her philosophy is rooted in the success of small businesses everywhere, and she focuses on buying from local or fair-trade businesses. Stephanie Troxler, who painted a watercolor map of Longboat Key that’s been popular with customers, was among those who stopped by. Irina LaRose, who owns the salon Design2000 next door, said Rippy’s store has brought many new customers to the plaza and to her business.

“The synergy is great,” LaRose said. “We have people come shop while they wait for appointments, and she’ll send people to us. She’s so supportive and will hand out our cards. It’s nice to have another woman business owner here to talk about what to do in summer and ideas for our businesses.”

Heather Rippy runs Driftwood Beach Home and Garden.

LOCAL NEWS. A Local Difference.

Eric Garwood MANAGING EDITOR

Hometown: Melbourne, Florida Currently Living: Sarasota, Florida Alma mater: University of South Florida Observer Employee: Five Years What you do when you are not working?

My wife and I enjoy exploring parks, traveling and walking.

Connect: egarwood@yourobserver.com

There’s so much to enjoy here in Sarasota.

I’ve lived in several regions of Florida, and Sarasota has more to offer than any of them. I’m so happy to be part of the Observer team, telling the stories of the people and events that take place here.

JOIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD //

Support independent local journalism today at YourObserver.com/newsies

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

25

SO LD

We Listed We Sold We Made it Happen!

February 10, 2022

Call us today for similar results

PE

ND

Enjoy epic sunset views, from this residence. Walls of glass showcasing the Gulf of Mexico.

You;re welcomed into a bright open floor plan that offers you 4 bedrooms 3 baths1 half bath.

Offered for $4,500,000 www.LongboatKeyLuxury.com

ND

ING

1300 Benjamin Franklin Dr. #803

THE WATER CLUB 1241 Gulf of Mexico Dr #408

PE

The Beach Residences

Judy Kepecz-Hays Team 941-587-1700

ING

6211 GULF OF MEXICO DR. | Longboat Key | www.6211GulfofMexico.com Asking price was: $10,880,000 Enjoy the Gulf of Mexico as your backyard with this custom designed gulf-front estate. Fall in love with the details and architecture you won’t find anywhere else. 4 bedrooms plus den or 5 bedrooms 5 baths. 6-car garage and an impressive lower level. Forever sunset views await you.

Beautifully updated, and furnished. This residence offers views of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

3,000 sq. ft. 3 bed 3 baths Offered $2,250,000 www.TheWaterClub408.com

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

Lori Lawson

Steven Kepecz

941.735.4385

941.376.6411

ACTIVE LISTINGS Ritz-Carlton Managed

NEW ON THE MARKET

The Beach Residences 1300 Benjamin Franklin Dr. #809 Epic views, day and night from this very private casual elegant residence. Walls of glass showcasing the beauty of Sarasota Bay and Skyline as your backdrop. Step out of your private elevator into your 3,352 sq. ft. residence, bright open floor plan that offers you 3 bedrooms 3 baths or 2 bedrooms plus den. Two parking spaces included and two pets welcome no weight limit.

Offered for $2,985,000. www.TheBeachResidences809.com

L’Ambiance 415 L Ambiance Drive Unit B602

Enjoy 270 degrees of unobstructed Bay with Gulf views in this exquisitely designed residence. This southern exposed 2,500 sq. ft. residence offers 2 bedrooms plus a den and 2.5 baths. When you step out of your private elevator it opens up to your private foyer.

Panoramic walls of glass sliders in every room and a 700’ wraparound terrace. Located behind the gates of the Longboat Key Club enjoy the luxury lifestyle that living on the beach offers. Only minutes away from St. Armands Circle famous restaurants and boutiques. One small pet welcome.

Offered for $2,785,000. www.LAmbianceB602.com

Ritz-Carlton Residences 1111 Ritz Carlton Drive #1204 As an owner, you will be pampered with world-class amenities a luxurious lifestyle in Sarasota. This residence provides a generous amount of square footage featuring 3 bedrooms, and walls of glass overlooking an expansive terrace for entertaining and relaxing. Southern Exposure with beautiful Bay views from every room. Two parking spaces included and two pets welcome.

Offered for $3,950,000. www.Ritz-Carlton1204.com

$2.3 BILLION IN CAREER SALES If you’re thinking of buying or selling, please call us for exceptional service.

Judy Kepecz-Hays | 941.587.1700

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

$134 MILLION IN CLOSED SALES IN 2021

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Ritz-Carlton Managed

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

SARASOTA 4645 Ainsley Place 7 Beds 6 Baths 4,272 Sq. Ft. Kim Ogilvie 941-376-1717 A4514309 $22,000,000

SARASOTA 1335 2nd Street PH10 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,363 Sq. Ft. Jonathan Abrams 941-232-2868 A4523297 $4,899,900

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

LONGBOAT KEY 3606 Fair Oaks Place 5 Beds 3 Baths 3,842 Sq. Ft. Kathy Callahan 941-900-8088 A4523345 $3,500,000

LONGBOAT KEY 711 Russell Street 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,862 Sq. Ft. Cindy Fischer & Mark J Baron 941-465-1124 A4520114 $1,400,000

SARASOTA 2203 Hillview Street Tim Koons-McGee 941-320-7073 A4518090 $1,250,000

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

SARASOTA 1917 Rose Street 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,839 Sq. Ft. Maria Beck PA & Jalina Beck 646-531-4118 A4521547 $1,150,000

LONGBOAT KEY 4311 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 401 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,293 Sq. Ft. Victoria Lear 941-350-1064 A4522542 $1,100,000

LONGBOAT KEY 680 Fox Street 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,544 Sq. Ft. Cindy Fischer & Mark J Baron 941-465-1124 A4520803 $995,000

SARASOTA 800 Tamiami Trail 307 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,911 Sq. Ft. Ann Martin & Joanna Benante 941-356-7717 A4523832 $995,000

SARASOTA 1 Benjamin Franklin Drive 73 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,389 Sq. Ft. Douglas Parks 941-400-9087 A4523994 $970,000

LONGBOAT KEY 5655 Gulf Of Mexico Drive C203 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,399 Sq. Ft. Richard Perlman 941-228-8580 A4523418 $929,900

SARASOTA 7700 Iguana Drive 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,550 Sq. Ft. Lee Byron & Sue Keal 941-350-5542 A4512842 $899,998

LONGBOAT KEY 656 Tarawitt Drive 10,799 Sq. Ft. Ian Addy, PA & Gail Wittig 941-961-8850 A4518192 $845,000

ELLENTON 5531 70th Drive E 5 Beds 4/1 Baths 3,654 Sq. Ft. Dan Desoto, Jr 941-567-8006 A4523681 $769,000

BRADENTON 3005 65th Street E 4 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,272 Sq. Ft. Barbara Dumbaugh & Victoria Lear 941-951-6660 A4523425 $750,000

SARASOTA 4542 Cedar Brush Terrace 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,261 Sq. Ft. Linda Driggs & Sara Boudarga 941-374-2920 A4523473 $565,000

LONGBOAT KEY 4390 Exeter Drive I-206 2 Beds 2 Baths 962 Sq. Ft. Sandi Layfield & Michael Nink, PA 941-914-2807 A4523843 $549,000

SARASOTA 170 Roosevelt Drive 15 1 Bed 1 Baths 672 Sq. Ft. Rudy Dudon 941-234-3991 A4523219 $489,900

SARASOTA 4715 Tivoli Avenue 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,933 Sq. Ft. Pam Sweeney 941-266-9622 A4523596 $445,000

ELLENTON 6023 Broad River Run 4 Beds 3 Baths 1,879 Sq. Ft. Stephanie Okuley 941-773-2677 A4523602 $390,000

BRADENTON 3413 Avenida Madera A 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,773 Sq. Ft. Drew Russell 941-993-3739 A4522510 $385,000

SARASOTA 2911 Swifton Drive 71 2 Beds 2 Baths 934 Sq. Ft. Tina Biter 941-932-3367 A4523957 $239,900

PALMETTO 2915 8th Street Court W Debbie Vogler 941-705-3328 A4512663 $225,000

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

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

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

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

REAL ESTATE

Country Club Shores property sells for more than $7.7 million

|

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

JAN. 24-28

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in Country Club Shores tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Troy Dolan sold his home at 642 Ranger Lane to Todd and Lisa Zimmerman, of Longboat Key, for $7,725,000. Built in 2001, it has six bedrooms, seven-and-a-half baths, a pool and 7,091 square feet of living area. It sold for $4.5 million in 2013.

BIRD KEY

SRQ Home Holdings LLC sold the home at 374 Bobwhite Drive to MAV Ventures LLC for $3.8 million. Built in 1969, it has four bedrooms, fourand-a-half baths, a pool and 3,409 square feet of living area. It sold for $2,875,000 in 2021.

LONGBOAT KEY ESTATES

Nancy Jenkins, of Longboat Key, sold her home at 629 Kingfisher Lane to Crispin Noel Cabatingan Francisco and Ma. Fatima De Vera Francisco, trustees, of Montgomery, Ohio, for $2.3 million. Built in 1958, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,762 square feet of living area.

It sold for $260,000 in 1995.

LIDO SURF AND SAND

Judith Sheehan, trustee, of Aurora, Ohio, sold the Unit 702 condominium at 1100 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Edward and Amy Venerable, of Centennial, Colorado, for $2 million. Built in 1976, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,154 square feet of living area. It sold for $1 million in 2015.

MARINA BAY

Leslie Jannott, trustee, of Fairfield, Connecticut, sold the Unit 312

Eric Garwood

Built in 2001, the home at 642 Ranger Lane has six bedrooms, seven-and-a-half baths, a pool and 7,091 square feet of living area.

condominium at 2550 Harbourside Drive to Jennifer Shimek, of Longboat Key, for $1.61 million. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,830 square feet of living area. It sold for $900,000 in 2013.

BAILEY DOBSON

Coady Development Partners LLC sold the home at 540 Gulf Bay Road to James Coady, of Paw Paw, Michigan, for $1,375,000. Built in 1993, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,880 square feet of living area. It sold for $850,000 in 2021.

FAIRWAY BAY

Thomas Michael Petri and Anna Petri, of San Antonio, sold their Unit 544 condominium at 2110 Harbourside Drive to William and Catherine Shell, of Nashville, Tennessee, for $1.11 million. Built in 1988, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,031 square feet of living area. It sold for $615,000 in 2020.

ISLANDER CLUB OF LONGBOAT

Equity Trust Co. as Custodian FBO IRA account #200216004, Equity Trust Co. as Custodian FBO IRA account #200220096 and Premier Capital Properties Inc. sold the Unit 93-N condominium at 2301 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Dominick and Susan Manzi, of Staten Island, New York, for $1.05 million. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,235 square feet of living area. It sold for $262,000 in 1995.

LONGBOAT HARBOUR

Luc Pierre Bourgon, trustee, of Ontario, Canada, sold the Unit 306 condominium at 4320 Falmouth Drive to John and Dawna Goodwin, of Longboat Key, for $725,000. Built in 1969, it has two bedrooms, one

bath and 1,092 square feet of living area. It sold for $300,000 in 2010.

BEACH HARBOR CLUB

Martin Finn and Susan Hamel, of Stamford, Connecticut, sold their Unit E-212 condominium at 3808 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Miroslaw and Iwona Pawelec, of Mequon, Wisconsin, for $670,000. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, three baths and 2,544 square feet of living area. It sold for $350,000 in 2001.

Terrell and Lanee Philippe sold their Unit C-211 condominium at 3806 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Giacomo Salvatore Licari and Gina Licari, of Tampa, for $420,000. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,062 square feet of living area.

In with the new NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION

TOP BUILDING PERMITS These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of Jan. 28-Feb. 3 in order of dollar amounts.

L O N G B OAT K E Y ADDRESS 6830 Longboat Drive S.

PERMIT New single family

APPLICANT Timothy Allen Haney

AMOUNT 559,000

1211 GMD #310

Interior alterations

Patricia and Norton Baron

305,635

672 Dream Island Road

Interior alterations

672 D I R LLC

185,000

5550 GMD

Replace damaged

Town of Longboat Key

Longboat Key

The Residences at the St. Regis | 941.213.3300 | From $2.4MM to $10.9MM | Call for appointment | SRResidencesLongboatKey.com

111,428

boardwalks,

NOW TAKING CONTRACTS

observation pier at Joan Durante Park 2371 Harbour Oaks Drive

Interior alterations

Heutel Revocable Trust

97,034

6860 Hughes St.

Pool, spa and deck

2358970 Ontario Inc

72,800

668 Lyons Lane

Solar electric system Kevin C. Pass

65,528

551 Wedge Lane

Spa

Stephani Rick

58,000

775 Longboat Club Road

Windows and door

Shawn M. Sheridan

36,689

573 Juan Anasco Drive

Dock and lift

Alexander Daniel Conlan

26,704

3471 Bayou Sound

Plumbing

David W. Scheible

24,000

590 Jessmyth Drive

Mechanical

Frederick W. Merizon

23,995

701 Old Compass Toad

Dock and lift

Christopher J. Dumas

23,425

6200 GMD

Windows

Longboat Island Chapel

23,078

Downtown St. Petersburg

#804

5991 Emerald Harbor Drive Windows

Walter Behm, Jr.

21,987

6941 Bayside Drive

Plumbing

Woodstock America LLP

20,100

1945 GMD #212

Windows and door

Nuzzo Family Trust

19,887

1211 GMD #602

A/C change-out

Linda Chalfin

18,722

668 Spanish Drive N.

Re-roof

Thomas M. Cooney

17,940

Jeffrey A. Daniel

17,222 16,566

100 Sands Point Road #201 Lift 501 Cutter Lane

Seawall

John G. Keane

4965 GMD Unit 202

A/C change-out

Mitchell Horwitz and Lori Smith 15,990

501 Cutter Lane

Dock and lift

John G. Keane

15,000

1241 GMD #706

A/C change-out

Vincent Di Simone

13,753

2120 Harbourside Drive #651 A/C change-out

Matthew R. and Carole A. Zito

13,498

7149 Longboat Drive N.

Mechanical

John Richard Exley III

12,600

4234 GMD Unit E1

Door

Gregg E. Simmons

12,426

711 Old Compass Road

Demo all existing

Green Heron Development

12,000 11,500

400 Central | 727.209.7848 | From the $1MM’s | Call for appointment. | Residences400central.com 2 UNITS LEFT

Downtown Sarasota

The Collection | 941.232.2868 | From the $2MM’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

Electrical

Jeffrey L. Tushar

2055 GMD #105

Windows and door

John W. Wicker, Jr.

10,913

6701 GMD Unit 335

Door

Adrian Ivancevich

10,790

1485 GMD #209

A/C change-out

Richard Lawrence

10,306 Source: Town of Longboat Key

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structures and pool 511 Putting Green Lane

MichaelSaunders.com/New-Homes | 844.591.4333 | Sarasota, Florida Prices as of February 2022.

Licensed Real Estate Broker

27

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

WILD FLORIDA

Sarasota’s Best Voted One of

An exploration beyond the pavement.

American alligators keep Myakka’s wetlands healthy

28 Years in a Row!

YOUR HOME DESERVES Hunter Douglas!

M

BLINDS•SHUTTERS DRAPERIES•WALLCOVERINGS

941-925-7800 mmwallcoveringsblinds.com 4801 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota Across from The Landings

373191-1

Janet and Curt Mattson Owners

LONGBOAT KEY DELAYED VIDEO SERIES LAKEWOOD RANCH SERIES SARASOTA SERIES VENICE SERIES

Tickets at the Door Only $10

Savor Sounds the Sounds Savor the

SARASOTA INSTITUTE OF LIFETIME LEARNING

A Lifetime of Learning in Two Exciting Series

Sarasota,10:30 am - Venice, 3:00 pm Longboat Key Video, February 21, 7:30 pm

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

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

VIP Tickets

General Admission

$250 (Table of 8)

$25 in advance

Advance purchase only.

Limited availability.

Sarasota,10:30 am - Venice, 2:30 pm

The Online Accelerator Baroness Margaret Jay will discuss

$35 at the door

Weather permitting - No Refunds

how the Covid 19 pandemic has unexpectedly increased our internet use.

Is it short term or a permanent change? Should we welcome it or fear it?

ADVANCE TICKET SALES Monday - Friday from 9 am to 5 pm Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce 5390 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, Suite 102 Call the chamber for tickets — 941-383-2466

Wednesday, February 16 Sarasota,10:30 am

2022 Elections: Perspectives on National and Florida Races

Temple Beth Israel

Concert

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

Rachel Halvorson, Viola As principal violist with the Sarasota Orchestra, Rachel also plays in the Sarasota Orchestra String Quartet. She is a passionate advocate for contemporary classical music and is a new faculty member at the Sarasota Music Conservatory.

Tuesday, February 15

Thursday, February 24 7:30 PM

Savor the Sounds Musical Series

600 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key

AN INSIDER’S VIEW OF TODAY’S WORLD

LBKBeth Temple VIDEO SERIES Israel

Friends of Myakka River exists to support Myakka River State Park and the Wild and Scenic Myakka River. Together, we’re protecting and sharing Myakka’s Magic, to the benefit of future generations and our own.

5:30 pm - 7 pm (Gates open at 4:30 pm)

Monday, Febuary 14

Global Issues

Thursday, February 17 7:30 PM

—MIRI HARDY FRIENDS OF MYAKKA RIVER

KETTLE OF FISH

MUSICAL CONVERSATIONS WITH GREAT PERFORMERS

LBK VIDEO SERIES

demand. If you’re keen to take the 2.5-mile walk on the wild side down to Deep Hole, an early start is highly recommended.

Saturday, February 19th

Music Mondays

Temple Beth Israel

Wild Florida is a monthly feature written by Miri Hardy, the first executive director of the Friends of Myakka River. Hardy has been a Sarasota resident since 2014 and holds a doctorate in social psychology from Washington University in St. Louis. She is happiest exploring wild Florida, often on her bike, and capturing its beauty though the lens of her camera.

Longboat Key • 2022

Next Week’s Programs Include:

Monday, Febuary 21 7:30 PM

ENJOY THE WILD

Presented by

Longboat Key, Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, and Venice - in Person or Video On Demand

LBK VIDEO SERIES

Miri Hardy

American alligators have a crucial role in keeping wetland habitats healthy and affect habitats in ways that benefit other species.

THE LONGBOAT KEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Florida is again at the epicenter of politics.

Dr. Susan A. MacManus will focus on the most partisan-competitive races and the state’s diverse electorate.

Thursday, February 17

Sarasota,10:30 am - Lakewood Ranch, 3:30 Friday, February 18 Venice,10:00 am

Reckoning With the Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity Dr. Robert P. Jones will explain how white

Upcoming Savor the Sounds Concerts:

Christianity has sustained a project of opposing black equality that has framed the entire American story.

Complete program details:

sillsarasota.org

Longboat Key SILL Video Series www.tbi-lbk.org Check our website for Safety Protocols

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

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Wallcoverings & Blinds, Inc. Since 1989

yakka River State Park, which provides critical habitat for diverse wildlife, is renowned for its American alligators. Nearly driven to extinction in the 1950s, these iconic Florida natives are the largest reptiles in North America.

Critical members of Myakka’s ecosystem, they depend on wetlands, and Myakka’s wetlands depend on them.

Wetlands provide crucial services to the environment and the public — including water purification, flood control and erosion prevention — and alligators help keep them healthy.

As apex predators at the top of the food chain, they limit the numbers of animals that might overtax marsh vegetation. Considered ecosystem engineers, they create “gator holes” that stay full of water, not only during the summer wet season but also in the winter, when rains stop. This provides vital water as well as habitat for them and many other species.

Winter is a great time to observe alligators — from a safe distance — when these cold-blooded reptiles often come out of the water to control their body temperature by basking in the sun. And to view them, nothing compares with a visit to Myakka’s Wilderness Preserve, a 7,500-acre tract where you’ll likely find many alligators at the aptly named Deep Hole.

Deep Hole is a 131-foot-deep sinkhole at the Lower Myakka Lake that is mostly obscured during the summer. But during winter, when waters recede, fish migrate into the hole, concentrating them in a confined area. Alligators congregate on its banks, creating a spectacle.

To maintain its wilderness quality and benefit reclusive wildlife, visitation to this part of the park is limited to 30 people a day, with no motor vehicles or even bikes permitted. Day permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis at the ranger station each morning and are in high

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

SUNRISE / SUNSET

FRIDAY, FEB. 11

Sunrise

Sunset

Thursday, Feb. 10

7:10a

6:18p

Friday, Feb. 11

7:10a

6:19p

Saturday, Feb. 12

7:09a

6:20p

Sunday, Feb. 13

7:08a

6:21p

SATURDAY, FEB. 12

Monday, Feb. 14

7:08a

6:21p

High: 70 Low: 59 Chance of rain: 20%

Tuesday, Feb. 15

7:07a

6:22p

Wednesday, Feb. 16

7:06a

6:23p

High: 67 Low: 56 Chance of rain: 5%

29

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

WEATHER

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST

|

MOON PHASES SUNDAY, FEB. 13 High: 65 Low: 50 Chance of rain: 51%

March 10 March 18 March 24 March 31 First Full Last New

TIDES Highs Lows

Diane Suner captured this snowy egret image on North Lido Beach.

Thursday, Feb. 10

—

6:21p

2:54a

—

Friday, Feb. 11

—

7:29p

3:56a

—

Saturday, Feb. 12

—

8:34p

4:47a

—

Sunday, Feb. 13

12:51p

9:29p

5:31a

3:49p

Monday, Feb. 14

1:00p

10:16p

6:07a

4:39p

Tuesday, Feb. 15

1:07p

10:58p

6:39a

5:22p

Wednesday, Feb. 16

1:12p

11:39p

7:07a

6:04p

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

MANASOTA FLOORING INC 941.493.7441 | www.manasotaonline.com

crossword

celebrity cipher

WALK AROUND THE BLOCK by Paul Coulter. Edited by Amanda Rafkin 56 Mine extractions 58 Not “with it” 60 Duel-purpose equipment?

61 Gets on DOWN 62 Bring together 1 “___ the season ...”

67 Burn a little 2 As many as 68 Little kids 3 On a ___ (just for fun) 69 Singer India.___ 4 Bad day for Caesar 70 “Go ahead!”

5 Person living the high 71 French film award hidlife? den in “chances are” 6 Brewing ingredient 72 “Ad ___” (2019 film) 7 Boxer dubbed “The 73 “The Matrix ResurrecGreatest” tions” genre 8 Bedside light 74 Reduce by cutting 9 Hot water, metaphori75 Snooped cally 76 Dutch cheese 10 Dutch beer 77 Take in or let out 11 Narrow valley 78 Subtly suggested 12 Beam of sunlight 80 In the center of 13 Not the same 81 Org. that inspects air 14 Its capital is Minsk bags?

15 Fender flaw 83 Blueprint detail, for 16 The “A” of BART short 17 Curiosity rover’s 87 Thurman who played destination Poison Ivy 19 Many kilt wearers 90 “Bravo!”

24 Podcast interviewer 91 Away, in a way 26 Quaint stopovers 92 Egg-based paint 29 Words before a kiss 93 Slam-dancing spot 34 Sound heard through a 95 Fail to articulate stethoscope 96 Small amount 35 Fine-tunes 97 Classic theater name 36 Constantly irritate 99 Does as a group?

37 Holey shoe 100 Bumpy amphibians 38 Like sundial numerals 104 Skater Rippon 39 Artist Yoko 105 Brain section 41 “Still awake?”

106 In need of directions 42 Salsa and guacamole, 107 With proficiency e.g.

108 “Little piggies” 43 LGBTQ+ activist 109 Talk back to George 110 Jason’s ship 44 Bean products?

111 Flirty eye gesture 45 “Ya think?!”

112 Joint with a cap 48 ___ and cheese 114 Dallas NBAer 52 Tennis champ Ste116 Letter before omega phens 117 Football scores (Abbr.)

53 Per item 54 Give the cold shoulder to 55 Capital near a fjord

122 Ran into 123 Group of quail 124 Desert refuge 125 Takes a hit

©2022 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

32 Under-cover location?

33 Coffee vessel 1 Bulb bloom 34 San Francisco gaybor6 Mediterranean island hood (last 4 letters ...) nation 40 Biden’s secretary of 11 Food, informally defense (... + first 2) 15 Beaver’s construction 46 Squirrel away 18 Apple tablet software 47 “I’m treating!”

20 It’s a real eye-opener 49 Cooking liquids 21 Narrow road 50 Big fuss 22 Prohibition, e.g.

51 “Do ___ others ...”

23 Long rides? (See the last 3 letters of this clue’s 52 Country with a Taualuga dance answer ...)

25 Certain makeup pencil 54 Chicken noodle, e.g. (... + the first 2 of this one) 56 Gave the thumbs-up 57 “My fault!” (last 2 let27 “Let’s hear it!” ters ...)

28 Add 30 Airline with a kangaroo 59 Agency measuring the U.S. population (... + logo 31 Non-earthlings (Abbr.) first 2) 63 L.A. winter hours

371152-1

941.748.4679 | Venice

64 “High” time?

65 Orange juice option 66 About an hour before two 67 Get dry, like lips 68 ‘90s exercise trend 70 Speaker’s platform 71 Redeem, like chips 74 Opening for sweat 75 Dessert wine 76 Practical joke 79 Houdini, e.g. (last 2 letters ...)

82 Go it alone (... + first 4) 84 Use a swizzle stick 85 Artistic inspiration 86 Spades and hearts, e.g.

88 Mini-golf stroke 89 Response to “Speak!”

90 Enter 92 Not wild

93 Euripides tragedy 94 A life’s purpose (last 3 letters ...)

98 Online shopping button (... + first 2) 101 Texter’s chuckle 102 Archer’s asset 103 Lip balm brand 104 Indirectly refer (to) 107 Turn into a musical, say 109 Seattle NFL player 113 Part of a frame that you pass through (last 3 letters ...)

115 Material spotted on a runway? (... + first 2) 118 Tummy muscles 119 Racetrack shape 120 Lock of hair 121 Conversed in ASL

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“SDJU HMBBYGT EGSEJG ADTGBLRMDT USA NMD CG HYLGBMCJG MDT PMEEU MR RPG LMHG RYHG.”

– NPBYL BSNZ

“GZF TGFYK TGZYK DP DPNNPF JX UGFP XGYYGTPK OPF PBWURYP. JN JV KJUJEJVOPK TJNO OPF RWVVJEI.” – KWE FWNOPF GE DPNNH TOJNP

“JB WOO EPH DBBJ TBK GWY, VT WOO EPH SHWYX WNWFOWVOH, FY WOO EPH CWTX TBK GWY, FY WOO EPH ROWGHX TBK GWY.” © 2022 NEA, Inc.

– SFW ZWIIBC

Puzzle Three Clue: N equals V

941.355.8437 | Bradenton

Puzzle Two Clue: B equals X

Sarasota

KITCHENS, BATHROOMS, BEDROOMS & MORE

Puzzle One Clue: Z equals K

HARDWOOD

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

©2022 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

2-10-22

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

RED PAGES DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at 2PM Service Directory - Friday at 3PM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card The Longboat Observer reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher. *It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in the Longboat Observer to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with towncodes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property.

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.

Vacation/ Seasonal Rentals

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

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer.

Call 941-955-4888 Or Email ad to: classified@yourobserver.com (Please provide your name and address) Or Online at: www.yourobserver.com Or mail to: The Observer Group 1970 Main St. - 3rd Floor Sarasota, Fl 34236 CHANDELIER METAL, BROWN, HARDWARE INCLUDE. LIKE NEW, $20 (941) 920-2494 GOLF CLUBS- Ping Eye 2 irons Green Dot. Many other golf accessories. All for $125.

Call 724.624.0100

Antiques/ Collectibles OLD ORIENTAL RUGS wanted

by Collector. Highest prices paid.

Please Call/Text 203-228-4868

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

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

SELL STUFF HERE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

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

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

Contact lin44139@yahoo.com or linetsky2021@icloud.com or with desired rental price. Rent various: $2,000/month $3,000/month. Sales tax and fees are included.

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

WANTED TO rent; Whitney Bay side. 2 bedroom condo, Jan 1/23 - Mar 31/23. Retired Canadian couple. No pets. Responsible homeowners. Repeat possibility. contact Donna Gunn at 941-3832180 or iswig@sympatico.ca

BUY STUFF HERE! YourObserver.com/RedPages WEEKLY MONTHLY SEASONAL Rates Beachfront, Bayfront and In Between Houses or Condos Reservations 941-383-5577 wagnerlbkrentals@gmail.com Visa/MC

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

M-F Ask about our special rates!

CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

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

941809-3660, 941-809-3662.

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

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

Call 941-726-2677.

Real Estate Wanted BIRD KEY HOME WANTED TO BUY! Cash with 30 day closing. No realtor commission or fees to seller. Direct sale.

Call Don 717-319-1159

Call for a FREE Evaluation!

941-536-6372 EpicHomeCare@yahoo.com Rosa Torres- Owner

PERSONAL TRAINER by Physical Therapist (A) for 55+ Are you in pain? Having difficulty getting up in the morning and feeling weak/tired during the day? This may be because of a lack of physical exercise or your body telling you it needs some extra attention. Contact us today for Free in Home Assessment! (941) 730-2899 https://www.sunshinestrengthandbalance.com

GARAGE SALE

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

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

Cleaning

Wagner Realty Since 1939

You’re only cheating yourself.

Autos Wanted

Epic Home Care Personal Care-Respite Care Alzheimer’s CareLight Cleaning Med AdministrationMeal Prep Shopping, Errands & More

Auto Transport

101 Longboat Key, FL 34228

peekers’ place

auto

Call for coming soon listings.

PLACE YOUR AD:

BLUE DOLPHIN CAFE

FRIDAY NIGHT DINNERS ARE BACK AT OUR LONGBOAT KEY CENTRE SHOPS LOCATION!!

FRIDAY **FEBRUARY 11TH **

 LIVE MAINE LOBSTER  BLUE FIN CRAB CAKES  LINGUINE WITH SCALLOPS  PRIME RIB

Call: 941-955-4888 Email: RedPages@ YourObserver.com Online: YourObserver.com /RedPages

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

INCLUDING HOMEMADE PIES! AND MUCH MORE... JUST ASK...

FRIDAYS OPEN 5P.M.-8P.M. SERVING DINNER ITEMS

941-383-3787 CALL FOR RESERVATIONS BEER & WINE AVAILABLE

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

5360 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Suite

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

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

Owner/agent $530,000.

Restaurants

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

ENTIRE REGULAR DINNER MENU ALSO AVAILABLE!

941-955-4888

Homes for Sale

Stroll to Siesta Key Beach 4 Bed 2 Bath Heated Pool, 2 Car Garage $799,000

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

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

Free estimates. 941-744-1020.

35+ years experience.

15% DISCOUNT FOR 4-WEEK RUN

ALL ENTREES SERVED WITH CHEF’S CHOICE STARCH & VEGETABLE

As low as $17.50 per week!

www.rentalsonlongboat.com

Sorrento Shores Waterfront 3 Bed 2 Bath Fantastic Views, New Dock $995,000

Adult Care Services

Painting

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

CLAUDIA C. Cleaning Services.

Experienced, dependable, and ready to begin!

Residential.

Excellent references.

941-773-6895.

Transportation LONGBOAT LIMOUSINE Your local luxury transportation provider since 1994.

New luxury Sedans and SUVs. Fully Licenced and insured.

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

This week’s Crossword answers

Government PUBLIC NOTICE LOST OR ABANDONED PROPERTY Held by Longboat Key Police Department 5460 Gulf of Mexico Dr. THE LONGBOAT KEY POLICE DEPARTMENT IS HOLDING A ROWBOAT, WALLETS, AND ELECTRONICS ALL TURNED IN AS FOUND DURING THIS TIME PERIOD OF 12-01-21 THRU 0126-22. IF NOT CLAIMED BY OWNERS, ITEMS SHALL BE DISPOSED OF AS AUTHORIZED BY F.S.S. 705.103. INQUIRES 941361-6411 x1928

SELL IT FAST HERE! POST YOUR AD WITH EASE YourObserver.com/RedPages

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “Only married people understand you can be miserable and happy at the same time.”

Chris Rock Puzzle Two Solution: “Our world would be better if more followed her example. It is diminished with her passing.”

Dan Rather on Betty White Puzzle Three Solution: “Do all the good you can, by all the means available, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can.”

Mia Farrow

This week’s Sudoku answers

©2022 Universal Uclick

©2022 NEA, Inc.

Items Under $200

real estate

stuff

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

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

home services

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

redpages@yourobserver.com • yourobserver.com/redpages

RED PAGES AD RATES

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

Furniture Repair

373059

941-504-0903

Open 7 Days a Week | Covered Parking & Elevator Access

FREE PICKUP / DELIVERY • FREE ONSITE QUOTES

MM40360

Handyman $100 COUPON

Naji Aoun

GladysKhabbaz@gmail.com 805 Molly Circle, Sarasota

SERVING YOU IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME

Health 373041

GET YOUR LIFE BACK! Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

941-CLEAN IT 2 5 3 - 2 6 4 8 FREE INSTANT ESTIMATES when you Call RICK for SCHEDULING

Pressure Washing

Honesty, Integrity and Pride

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression provides safe, gentle & effective relief for

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

• Deck/Paver And Much More

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

941-778-2882 • 941-387-0607

Roofing

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc.

373439

373496

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

Check out our 5 Star Reviews on Google

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

Building & Roofing Contractor

Like Us on Facebook

MIC INSURANCE

CRACK REPAIR

SIDEWALKS • DRIVEWAYS

374672

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

Insurance

Concrete

BUZ CORP D/B/A

CONCRETE FUSION

EXPERIENCE KNOWLEDGE SOLUTIONS

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

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

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

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

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

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

Doors

Sliding Glass Door Repair

941-345-5264

specialty screens / screw replacement / paint Doors and more!

RED PAGES Bring Results 941-955-4888 Manufacture and|workmanship Warranties

Dog Grooming

374673

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

373440

Home • Condo • Auto • Umbrella • Boat • Flood

“FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE”

| scaperotta@aol.com

373441

DRIES IN HOURS – NOT DAYS • SATISFACTION GUARANTEED

941-544-1066 Italian American Owned

374674

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

373061

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC

BEFORE

AFTER

Serving Sarasota/Manatee Area Since 2004

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

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

House Washing, Roofs, Screen Cages, Pavers, Driveways and Walkways.

Pressure Washing

FREE CONSULTATION 941.358.2224

Carpet Cleaning

#1 in IR REPA c Cra k 5%

PRESSURE WASHING

Give Us a Call - We Can Help

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

Serving AMI, LBK and Bradenton for 25 years

$100 COUPON

SOFT WASH

$100 COUPON

AMANDA

$100 COUPON

WE ARE THE SOFT WASH PRESSURE WASHING PROS

373769

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

$100 COUPON $100 COUPON

374135

Beauty

Power Washing $100 COUPON $100 COUPON

HoHoBuysCars.com

374136

5-Star Rated

$100 COUPON

WE COME TO YOU

373060

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

Furniture Sales & Repairs Cushions • Slings • Re-powdercoating

FAST • EASY • SAFE

941.270.4400

Massage

Patio Furniture Repairs.com

SELL YOUR CAR!

31

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

$100 COUPON

Auto Service

|

Windows Res./Com.

(941) 345-5264

Lic./Ins.

ndow & Pressure Clea et Wi nin s n wn as Sunrise Win g Su erly kno d

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

Form Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

SELL YOUR STUFF HERE!

UP TO

Personal Services

STANDARD WINDOWS

25

ows

140

$

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

SPECIAL 00 5

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

senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941- 284 - 5880

374675

Purified water window cleaning available!!

Insurance

SECUR-ALL INSURANCE AGENCY

Sandra Smith

| 941.383.3388

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

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

374137

373040

374733

$

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022

ROGER SELLS

LUXURY WATERFRONT PROPERTIES

MORE THAN $206 MILLION CLOSED IN 2021

1313 WESTWAY DRIVE Designer waterfront estate in Lido Shores! This custom-designed marvel was the vision of famed

•

Designer estate built in 2005 by Perrone Construction, chief designer Adrienne Vittadini, and architect Cliff Scholz

•

Resting on more than a 1/2-acre of property overlooking sailboat waters and the Gulf of Mexico

•

Extensively updated in 2013, with interior and exterior square footage added

•

Interior square feet is 7,336, including 6 bedrooms, 7 full and 2 half baths

•

Travertine terraces and sundeck, with summer kitchen, heated saltwater swimming pool and spa (both resurfaced in 2021)

•

Community access to private beach club

•

www.1313WestwayDrive.com

fashion/home designer Adrienne Vittadini, architect Cliff Scholz, and luxury home builder Perrone Construction. Vittadini’s concept behind the design of this “modern-day Venetian villa” was to create luxurious accommodations that perfectly blend contemporary and traditional features, complemented by classical columns, high ceilings and doorways, oversized frameless windows and walls of floor-toceiling impact glass that open to grand water views. The layout is spread across two floors and ideally frames the stunning vistas throughout. From almost any room in the house, you can look out into the azure waters that flow out to New Pass and the Gulf of Mexico. A favorite spot on the main level will be the light and bright family room, overlooking panoramic water views, featuring walls of pocketing glass sliders with screen protection that lead out to the pool deck, for a wonderful indoor-outdoor experience.

The newer, rebuilt Trex dock with bench seating is the perfect finishing touch. Enjoy a sunny walk or drive that will take you to Lido Shore’s private, gated beach access, offering its own pavilion and parking.

CALL TODAY FOR YOUR EXCLUSIVE TOUR (941) 387-1840 443 John Ringling Boulevard, Suite F | Sarasota, FL 34236 595 Bay Isles Road , Suite 250 | Longboat Key, FL 34228 www.Pettingell.com | www.bestSarasotarealestate.net Twitter.com/RealRoger | Instagram.com/RogerPettingell | Roger@Pettingell.com Owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC 371478-1

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