Longboat Observer 4.15.21

LONGBOAT

Health Matters APRIL 2021

SARASOTA

Observer

Observer Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978

INSIDE

From facials to microneedling, skin care treatments can keep you looking your best. PAGE 2

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

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VOLUME 43, NO. 36

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PHYSICIAN SPOTLIGHT

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Therapy animals bring Zen to the workplace.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

Three apply for District 5 Merrigan, Jaleski, Carman in the running for Zunz’s former position. SEE PAGE 4A

Nat Kaemmerer

Richard Solorzano

So long, Solorzano After 44 years, Sands Point maintenance man Richard Solorzano has retired.

The 67-year-old been with the community since 1977. He had worked at the Sarasota Kennel Club and at Columbia Restaurant on St. Armands Circle, but stuck around Sands Point for the area and the people.

Solorzano was recognized at the April 9 board meeting with a bonus and gifts.

“He deserves all the honors he can get,” condominium board President Julian Hansen said. “He was always there when he needed him.”

Other residents showed up to the board meeting to recognize the man who has been there longer than just about any of them, though several said it was the first time they’ve seen him without his trademark hat and sunglasses.

CIRCLING BACK St. Armands art festival returns after 2020 absence.

SEE PAGE 8B

Courtesy photo

Shells stand up to storms Bob Dreyfus, who maintains artwork of shells and beach objects by Banyan Bay Club, won’t let the wind and rain stop his creations.

After years of maintaining them through early spring, Dreyfus is well-versed in brushing off the annoyance of a windblown beach. After April 11’s storms, the bottom row was washed out, but Dreyfus recovered it and brushed off the rest. He’s been working on this year’s design for months and regularly added to it.

Despite Dreyfus’ careful ministrations to the shells and sand, it won’t last much longer. He’ll dismantle it by the beginning of turtle season, which starts May 1.

Nat Kaemmerer

Mary Lou Johnson of Longboat Key was among the presenters at the St. Armands Circle event last weekend.

Longboat Key still sorting out Tropical Storm Eta repairs Both residents and the town continue to work on fixing damage from the November storm.

SEE PAGE 3A Mark Bergin

A 213-foot section of a boardwalk and an observation deck in Joan M. Durante Park will be repaired with upgraded materials.

NEIGHBORS

Missing the top dog on the Circle.

SEE PAGE 1B

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

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Town hires special legal counsels for St. Regis hearings, sewage break The hirings help ensure Town Attorney Maggie Mooney does not have a conflict of interest with the proposed changes to the St. Regis site.

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

Longboat Key is set to have special legal counsel to serve town staff as it deals with proposed changes to the St. Regis redevelopment.

“The reason for that is on certain complicated matters, as your town attorney, I’m obligated by the Florida Bar to either represent the board or the staff, but I cannot represent both,” Town Attorney Maggie Mooney said.

Jennifer Cowan with the Tampa-based law firm of Bryant Miller Olive is set to fill in for Mooney as it pertains to the St. Regis public hearings. Cowan serves as the attorney for the town of Treasure Island. It will cost $275 per hour for her services and $245 per hour for her associates.

“It is anticipated that the costs associated with those services would be reimbursable from the developer of the project,” Mooney said.

Photo by Mark Bergin

Maggie Mooney has worked as Longboat Key’s town attorney since July 2013.

Unicorp National Developments Inc., the developer of the property, proposed several changes in March that will reduce the density of the project along with other changes.

Once the town staff reviews Unicorp’s application, public hearings are planned before the Town Commission and the Planning and Zoning Board.

“We did this on the initial application for St. Regis and we’re doing it again because of the complicated nature of that development,” Town Manager Tom Harmer said of the decision to hire outside legal counsel. “Last time, the town attorney hired outside counsel to repre-

sent the town staff in the review because she sits up here with the Town Commission, so she advises the Town Commission on any legal issues that may come up and wanted to have a separate attorney representing the staff so there was no conflict there on her direction.”

Last week, the Town Commission also agreed to hire Sarasotabased law firm GarciaDell to help evaluate the possibility of filing litigation after the June 2020 sewage break.

It will cost $275 per hour for Martin Garcia and Josh Dell’s work and a paralegal rate of $125 per hour.

“The attorneys Martin Garcia and Josh Dell have represented the town’s interests in certain other litigation very successfully in the past,” Mooney said. “They are familiar with the town, and we have a good working relationship with them.”

Garcia and Dell advised the town on issues related to the demolition of the former Colony site. Now, they’ll help the town evaluate the possibility of filing litigation to make up the financial losses stemming from the June 2020 sewage break.

“There is potential liability to be attributed to other parties arising out of the damages the town has incurred that are clearly set for in the consent order as we just discussed,” Mooney said.

LAW FIRM, INSURER DENY TOWN After approving the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s consent order in February, the town is either required to pay $188,382 or implement an in-kind environmental project worth at least $281,073 as a penalty for its June 2020 sewage spill.

The town is pursuing the environmental project option with plans to make wet well upgrades at Master Lift Station D on Gulf Bay Road and replacing a backup generator at the site.

In March, Town Attorney Maggie Mooney wrote an indemnification letter asking for hundreds of thousands of dollars from the engineering firm Greeley and Hansen to offset the cost of penalties.

According to the firm’s report on Aug. 14, 2017, the sewage pipe that broke had an estimated 20-25 years of life remaining. The report recommended reinspection of the pipe in four to five years. The force main was built in 1973.

In a reply letter written on behalf of Greeley and Hansen, Gray Robinson attorney Joseph Fitos claimed G&H never received Mooney’s indemnification letter. Fitos wrote that G&H became aware of the town’s request for money upon reading the Longboat Observer’s coverage about it.

“Until it was blindsided by the article, [G&H] was not aware of any additional issues concerning the force main other than what was discussed during its initial call with the town in September 2020,”

Fitos wrote. “Moreover, prior to reviewing the article, [G&H] was not aware that the town was attempting to hold [G&H] responsible for the force main leak nor was [G&H] aware that the town was seeking compensation for repair and remediation efforts that were undertaken by the town without [G&H’s] knowledge or involvement.”

Fitos declined to comment because of the possibility of litigation.

G&H isn’t the only entity the town is seeking money from after the sewage break.

On behalf of the town’s insurer, Public Risk Management of Florida, attorney Donovan Roper of the law firm Roper and Roper wrote a 29-page letter denying Longboat Key’s claim for coverage for the damages from the sewage leak.

PRM claims the town’s coverage does not insure against the breakage of pipes.

Mooney wrote to town commissioners explaining why the town has sent letters to G&H and PRM. “The demand letters sent from my office to Greeley and Hansen and the town’s insurer were sent for the purpose of preserving the town’s rights and potential claims against those parties after the town entered into a consent order with the FDEP and the town’s damages became more quantifiable,” Mooney wrote. “The recent responses from both of these parties’ respective legal counsel will be thoroughly evaluated and responded to, as appropriate.”

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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APRIL 9, 2021

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

NOV. 12, 2020 Photos by Mark Bergin

The stormwater from Tropical Storm Eta flooded Fred Kagi’s pool as shown on Nov. 12, 2020, right. The water flooded Kagi’s home. Even after the Kagi family bought a new pool filter and drained the pool twice, it still had an oversaturation of salt from Tropical Storm Eta in November 2020.

WORK IN PROGRESS While some repairs after tropical storm Eta are finished, others are yet to be completed.

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

L

ongbeach Village resident Fred Kagi can recall the flooding his home endured during Tropical Storm Eta like it was yesterday.

“When it came in, all the walls, 4 feet up all the way around, every room, the entire house,” the lifelong Floridian said of the November 2020 storm that caught coastal residents off-guard not with high winds or torrential rains, but a large tidal surge from the gulf and Sarasota Bay. “All these doors had to be replaced, so basically the whole house was redone because of the toxic-level seawater coming in over the land.”

Earlier this month, Kagi and his wife, Carol, finished about $80,000 worth of repairs to their Russell Street home. Insurance paid for a good portion of the expenses after the couple met their $5,000 deductible.

“It feels like it’s finally over,” Carol Kagi said.

However, the insurance didn’t pay for the storage of their belongings that weren’t damaged because the couple had to move everything out of their home for repairs. Plus, they had to live for two months in a townhouse in Manatee County.

With the Atlantic hurricane season approaching on June 1, Fred Kagi has stocked up on sandbags for his home. Eta took him by surprise considering he’s endured much more severe storms and hurricanes throughout the course of his life.

“If I had had the sandbags sitting right there, I still wouldn’t have done anything with them because this was a little tropical storm,” Fred Kagi said.

Even after the Kagi family drained the pool twice and bought a new pool filter, it still had an oversaturation of saltwater from Tropical Storm Eta in November 2020.

Village neighbor Ali Claypoole

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and her family had similar issues.

Claypoole lives on Fox Street while her mom is nearby on Russell Street.

“We’ve been staying in my mom’s house and our house, it’s just been a delay after delay,” Claypoole said.

The Claypoole family also stayed in a few rentals while the homes underwent repairs. She said it was hard to find accommodations for five people and two dogs. Like the Kagis, the Claypoole’s insurance didn’t cover living expenses.

“They were like weirdly season rates. A lot of them [are] very expensive,” Claypoole said. “That part isn’t covered. We were lucky.

We had homeowners insurance on both [of] our houses.”

Twin Shores residents Mike and Nicki Bergin had to move into their Canadian neighbor’s condominium when Eta destroyed their home. The neighbor was unable to visit Longboat Key because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Nicki and I have been overwhelmed with the daily outpouring of kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity by all in our Twin Shores family,” Mike Bergin wrote in an email.

JOAN M. DURANTE PARK REPAIRS

Longboat Key residents aren’t the only ones still dealing with repairs from Eta. Earlier this month, the Town Commission voted to amend the fiscal year 2021 budget to make repairs to damage caused

by Tropical Storm Eta at Joan M. Durante Park.

Commissioners voted 6-0 to set aside as much as $167,143 for the work to repair several boardwalks along the eastern part of the park.

“The staff would like to upgrade the decking from wood to composite, so there’s an additional charge for that,” Town Manager Tom Harmer said.

Longboat Key Streets, Facilities, Parks & Recreation Manager Mark Richardson said a 213-foot section of a boardwalk and an

Fred Kagi demonstrates about how high the stormwater runoff was inside his home during Tropical Storm Eta.

Fred Kagi has stocked up on sandbags for his Russell Street home.

A 213-foot section of a boardwalk and an observation deck in Joan M. Durante Park will get converted to composite.

observation deck will be converted to composite.

The town plans to send out a bid for the work this month. After 30 days, it will take between two to four weeks for the town to award the bid. Ultimately, it depends on the selected contractor’s schedule for how soon the boardwalks will get fixed.

The town submitted an insurance claim for the Durante Park repairs. The insurance company reimbursed Longboat Key for $117,143 after the town met its deductible of $1,144.

The town will use an additional $50,000 from the Parks and Recreation Capital Project Fund, which still has $100,781 left.

Harmer said the balance in the Parks and Recreation Capital Project Fund hadn’t been assigned to any projects.

The town will determine the overall cost of the repairs based on the bids it receives. Any leftover will get put back Parks and Recreation Capital Project Fund.

Public Works Director Isaac Brownman explained why the town wants to use composite to repair the boardwalks.

“The composite decking allows it to be longer lasting rather than wood,” Brownman said. “It’s either going to be wood or composite, and composite just has a longer life cycle, a significantly longer life cycle.”

The town received quotes of $133,486 and $136,814 for the repairs. It also received upcharge quotes for composite decking materials of $7,933 and $15,600.

The quotes the town received did not include engineering and permitting costs.

Before Monday’s decision, the difference between the insurance money provided and the estimated cost of the project left a deficit.

The nine wooden boardwalks not damaged by Eta will remain, Richardson said.

Reporter Nat Kaemmerer contributed to this story.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

Three people apply for vacant District 5 Town Commission seat The seat has been open since March 22 when Ed Zunz stepped down to move.

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

Three people have applied for the vacant District 5 seat on the Longboat Key Town Commission, all of whom are involved with town or community organizations or have been in the past.

Longboat Key North co-chair Maureen Merrigan, former town commissioner Gene Jaleski and campaign consultant Christopher Carman submitted applications to the town by the 4 p.m.

Friday deadline.

The six seated commissioners will appoint one of them at 11:30 a.m. Monday, April 19 to fill the vacancy left by Ed Zunz, who resigned in March because he moved out of the District 5 boundary.

The appointee would serve until the next town election in March 2022. The winner of the election would serve what remains of Zunz’s term until March 2023.

Merrigan is a co-chair of the LBK North community group, which represents 24 homeowners associations and more than 800 households.

“We have monthly meetings, we’re very engaged in what’s

going on in the north end [and] what’s going on in the town,” Merrigan said. “I attended a tremendous amount of commission meetings and spoke at them when we had them live. I listened to them over Zoom.”

Jaleski has lived in Longboat Key since 1985 and served on the Town Commission from March 2009 until his resignation in May 2010.

He ran unsuccessfully for commission seats in 2015 and 2017, losing to Phill Younger and Jim Brown.

“My background is technical, software engineering, system engineering, research, research and development,” Jaleski said. “We’re in a highly technical phase of the town undergrounding [project], beach nourishment, redevelopment of the parks, fiscal policies, a lot of technical stuff coming up, and I would be a voice on the commission with a background and ability to research and analyze complex technical situations, which right now, there is no one there.”

Carman has lived in Longboat Key for 51 years and has professional experience in the hospitality, political and retail environments. In the past, Carman

has served on the town’s Zoning Board of Adjustment and he currently serves on the Citizens Tax Oversight Committee.

“I think [those who] actually have a job who work and live on Longboat need a representative,” Carman said.

The Longboat Observer asked Merrigan, Jaleski and Carman why they want to fill the vacant District 5 seat: Why did you decide to apply for the vacant District 5 seat?

Merrigan: A couple of things. I mean, one, I was asked to apply. I had several people ask me. Longboat Key North folks, in the past, they’ve asked if I would consider running for commissioner.

And then I had a number of people say, ‘Would you at least consider fulfilling Ed’s role?’

And I said, ‘You know what, let me think about that.’ And I said, ‘Sure, I think I would do that.’

The big reason is I care about the Key, and I care about the north end. And, I think I’d be an effective commissioner.

The reason I think people asked me to run, I’ve done enough in the community here. I think they

Photo courtesy of Maureen Merrigan

Maureen Merrigan serves as the co-chair and board member of the LBK North community group.

get that I understand issues, I do my homework, I listen to others and I’m action-oriented. So I think, for those reasons, people have asked me to do that.

Jaleski: Because I think there is a need for a person with technical experience and background, [who] understands the history of the town that can help the town make intelligent decisions.

Carman: I decided to apply for the vacant seat because I looked at the people that were already applying. And, one of them has

only been here about four years.

The other one has been here an extended length of time, but [he was] elected as a commissioner and then decided to give up halfway through.

And I figured they both had their chances, or they’re maybe not as qualified as myself. So I think it’s time for younger blood and more people that are [younger than] the age of 60, to actually get involved in government. Since we’ve got four new women, why not having somebody [younger than] 55 years of age on the [commission]?

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

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I never say anything off the top of my head. I always accompany it with research and industry facts. That’s missing right now.

Right now, we just listen to a bunch of people coming in we call experts. And, we don’t know whether they’re right or wrong, at least no one on the commission knows whether they’re right or wrong. They just simply accept what they’re told whether it be an optimal solution or not.

There’s always a profit motive based on all this stuff. These people they bring in have money to be made.

Mark Bergin

Mark Bergin

Gene Jaleski served as Longboat Key town commissioner from March 2009-May 2010.

Christopher Carman serves on the Longboat Key Citizens Tax Oversight Committee.

If you were appointed to fill the District 5 vacancy, what would you hope to accomplish?

Objectives [meeting]? What do we want to accomplish? And then doing the right thing in terms of where we allocate our resources or our priorities, right?

And are we involving the community in kind of hearing their opinions and how they weigh in?

I never think that the commission should be sort of closed ears, and they just make personal decisions. It really should be, you know, what does the community want? And what do the residents want? And what makes sense for the Key short term, but also long term?

Merrigan: I think they’ve got a number of things on the plate that they have to address. One is, I think we’ve got a good group of commissioners, right now we’ve got some good folks in the town and the staff.

They’ll come out of this upcoming meeting, really looking at the goals and objectives and what has to get done. It really is balancing, what do we

do to use our monies and our budgets appropriately? We’ve got infrastructure things that have to be addressed.

Besides a sewer pipe, there’s also technology things that we’re in the midst of doing. We live on a barrier island that has to make sure we’re prepared for hurricanes and emergencies. So making sure that’s in place.

Continuing to have zoning issues or density issues that continue to bubble up. Really kind of keeping an eye on that.

Part of it is seeing what comes out of the [April 19] Goals and

Jaleski: I would hope to help the commission make informed decisions about whatever they do. I have no agenda other than making optimal choices for the town.

I would like to address the way the town goes about funding the beaches and how they go about renourishing the North Shore beaches and up and down the island, I think there are more beneficial ways of doing it that cost less money annually.

I’ve had numerous articles and letters to the commission submitting well-founded, factbased views of what I’m saying.

Carman: I would have a little bit of a learning curve. I’d need to see what exactly has been worked on so far.

But, I think one of the things I’d like to definitely get involved with is the electrical poles and the lighting here in the [Longbeach] Village neighborhood because everybody doesn’t like the lighting, which the current Town Commission wants to have.

[The neighborhood wants] the shorter, more decorative ones, whereas the town wants to put up the higher, less decorative ones.

And since they should be trying to appeal to the customer base, which is the people that pay their taxes here in Longboat Key, I think people want to have the shorter, more decorative ones that should be the ones that the town should install for them.

Every time I look in the paper, there’s another article about how they hate their current design.

They want to have these shorter, more decorative ones. I would definitely work to promote getting that changed and switched.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

Chamber hires director of marketing and communications

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Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce President Gail Loefgren is getting some help.

While Loefgren is still looking for a full-time executive assistant, the chamber has hired Christine Rothberg as its director of marketing and communications.

“I get to use my experience as a marketing communications person, and really turn the role into a dual role, which is first connecting the visitors and residents to Longboat Key life and the resources,” Rothberg said. “And, also marketing support for the members, as well as networking opportunities for them within the membership.”

Rothberg, 51, will assist the chamber in the part-time role with social media endeavors, email communication, flyers, invitations and more. She also has worked as a marketing consultant for the Sand Cay Beach Resort since September 2019, which is a role she will continue.

“It’s rolling with the punches,” Rothberg said of her two roles.

“It’s a lot of being flexible.”

From September 2016-September 2019, Rothberg worked as a marketing manager for the Casa Del Mar Beach Resort on Longboat Key. She has also held marketing and communications roles with Suffolk University Law School, Boston College, the Curry Rockefeller Group and PlexiDor Dog Doors.

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She said she hopes to help spread awareness about the chamber; increase membership acquisition; improve the user experience on the chamber’s website; and fulfill visitors’ and residents’ needs.

“We’re always trying to make sure that everything is updated,” Rothberg said. “That’s really my job is to make sure that their information is in here, and they’re being looked at.”

Outside of work, Rothberg said she enjoys traveling, but it’s been hard with the pandemic. For three years in the 1980s, she lived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

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The St. Regis logos are the trademarks of Marriott International, Inc., or its affiliates. A Unicorp National Developments, Inc. project. The Residences at The St. Regis Longboat Key are not owned, developed or sold by Marriott International, Inc., The St. Regis or their affiliates. Unicorp National Developments, Inc. uses the St. Regis trademarks and trade names under a license from The St. Regis. If this license is terminated or expires without renewal, the residential project will no longer be associated with, or have any rights to use, the St. Regis brand trade names or trademarks. All images and designs depicted herein are artist’s conceptual renderings, which are based upon preliminary development plans, and are subject to change without notice in the manner provided in the offering documents. All such materials are not to scale and are shown solely for illustrative purposes.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

LONGBOAT

OPINION / OUR VIEW

‘Hotel house’ dilemma A 90-page ordinance of regulatory hassles is not the answer to abusive vacation rentals. There are alternatives to the heavy hand of the government.

T

he signs are like summer dandelions — seemingly in every yard on St. Armands and Lido Keys.

Although nestled in one of the greatest vacation spots and tourist destinations in Florida, many of the residents on these two keys don’t like what’s happening in about a dozen homes identified as “hotel houses.”

Just about everyone can sympathize. For sure, the vast majority of people want to live in a safe, clean, peaceful, attractive neighborhood where neighbors get along, are friendly and share many of the same values — especially those values related to the way everyone lives.

No one wants to live next to a group of 20 or 30 annoying, raucous, drunk, dirty-mouth vacationers who don’t give a hoot about the neighbors they’ll probably never see again.

And that explains the proliferation of signs on the two keys. For more than two years, residents have been pleading and appeared three times at City Commission meetings urging the city to do something about what they deem to be out-ofcontrol “hotel houses.”

Take Lucretia Tuffile, who lives on S. Washington Drive, and spoke to commissioners in January 2020: “… I feel sick that the neighborhood I love and raising my daughter in is being changed because of a company trying to make money. It should not be allowed.

“We want families and people who live here year-round and have jobs and own local businesses. Do you really want a bunch of rental homes with 20-plus people in them affecting your community? My community? Please tell me the answer is no.”

At that same meeting, Chris Goglia, vice president of the St.

Armands Neighborhood Association, showed commissioners a map of St. Armands and Lido Keys identifying 12 “hotel houses” with common ownership and 22 similar hotel houses on Siesta Key. Goglia highlighted one home that has been advertising online that it “sleeps 25.”

Persuaded, commissioners did what they often do: Ordered the city attorney to prepare an ordinance with regulations that vacation rental homes and their owners would have to meet.

So here we are now. And not surprisingly, the 88-page ordinance City Attorney Bob Fournier prepared and commissioners approved on first reading last week is a bible of red tape.

Rather than do extensive research to determine how other communities have addressed vacation rentals — as the St. Armands representatives requested, the City Commission did what elected officials always do: They opted to make more laws and regulations while forgetting what government always forgets: When you make more laws, you take away people’s freedoms and, in this instance, property rights.

Clearly, Fournier’s proposed ordinance is intended to be so onerous and annoying that it will discourage any future developers and vacation home operators from coming into Sarasota’s barrier islands.

Voila! Just what the residents want.

You should read through the ordinance (see: YourObserver. com/VacationRentalOrdinance). It starts with requiring all single-family, two-family, three-family residences to register with the city ($250 fee). The requirements of that registration include, among dozens: n Naming a designated representative who will act as prop-

erty manager — on-call 24-7 and required to be on site at the home within an hour of a request. n A document detailing the number of bedrooms and full bathrooms; plus an exterior site sketch of the property identifying all structures, pools, hot tubs, spas, fencing; and an interior building sketch for each floor identifying all bedrooms, other rooms, exits, hallways, stairways and elevators. n Proof the property is in compliance with the Florida Building Code and the Florida Fire Prevention Code; and that it has passed a city inspection. n A signed affidavit by the rental property’s owner that he or she is aware of all of the city’s vacation rental ordinances and city zoning regulations. n Posted signs inside with the address of the nearest hospital; non-emergency police number; dates and times of trash pickup; emergency evacuation instructions; and a statement excessive sound is subject to fine. n Homes with six or more bedrooms are required to keep a registry of occupants — names, addresses, phone numbers and must be available for inspection by the city “at all times.” n The maximum number of occupants in a single-family home district will be 10; 12 in a multiple family zone. And no more than six guests at a time can visit, and those visitors are prohibited from being in the home from 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. n For good measure, every home must post: “You are vacation-

ing in a residential single-family zoned neighborhood. Please be a good neighbor by not making excessive noise or engaging in boisterous behavior, especially after 11 p.m. Such behavior can deprive your neighbors of the peaceful enjoyment of their home.”

You really need to read the entire ordinance to absorb how the extent of the regulations and imagine how they will create another new layer of city government, enforcement responsibility and, inevitably, increased taxpayer expense.

Now mind you, we wouldn’t want one of these homes as a next-door neighbor if they became a rotating fraternity bacchanalia. And we understand the neighbors’ distress.

But we would urge Sarasota city commissioners to think again before blithely approving this ordinance. Think about it in the context of: n Property rights. What about the couple that builds an eightbedroom waterfront vacation home on S. Washington and twice a year hosts 25 of their family members for a fun weekend reunion? Would they be subject to all of these “hotel house” regulations? No. Is this ordinance creating classes of owners with different rights? n Are the aggrieved residents asking the city to control other people’s property to their benefit at no cost? What about other city residents who have noisy neighbors? What do they get?

Rather than turn to government for every remedy, here are four alternatives to consider: n The St. Armands and Lido Key residents can vote to create deed restrictions. n Push the city to enforce the city and state nuisance laws. n Harass the “hotel house” owners the way their renters harass the neighbors to convince them it is in their interest to be good neighbors. n Buy the “hotel houses” and sell them only to full-time families.

“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

Publisher / Emily Walsh EWalsh@YourObserver.com Executive Editor / Kat Hughes KHughes@YourObserver.com Managing Editor / Eric Garwood EGarwood@YourObserver.com Staff Writers / Mark Bergin, MBergin@ YourObserver.com; Nat Kaemmerer, NKaemmerer@YourObserver.com Copy Editor / Kaelyn Adix, KAdix@YourObserver.com Editorial Designers / Melissa Leduc, MLeduc@YourObserver.com; Carol Parker, CParker@YourObserver.com Black Tie Editor / Harry Sayer, HSayer@YourObserver.com Director of Advertising / Jill Raleigh JRaleigh@YourObserver.com Sales Manager / Penny DiGregorio PDiGregorio@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; Chrissy Guevera, CGuevara@YourObserver.com; Beth Jacobson, BJacobson@YourObserver. com; Jennifer Kane, JKane@YourObserver. com; Bob Lewis, BLewis@YourObserver. com; Honesty Mantkowski, HMantkowski@ YourObserver.com; Toni Perren, TPerren@ YourObserver.com Sales Operations Manager / Susan Leedom, SLeedom@YourObserver.com Sales Coordinator/Account Manager Emma Burke, EBurke@YourObserver.com; Lori Downey, LDowney@YourObserver.com Tributes Coordinator/ Kristen Boothroyd, Tributes@YourObserver.com Director of Marketing / Robin Lankton, RLankton@YourObserver.com Director of Creative Services / Caleb Stanton, CStanton@YourObserver.com Creative Services Administrator / Marjorie Holloway, MHolloway@ YourObserver.com Advertising Graphic Designers / Luis Trujillo, Allison Wampole

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Town goals: Here are 2 issues to keep pursuing Here are two longer-term goals the Longboat Key Town Commission should put on its list Monday when it discusses its goal and objectives: 1) Converting the Manatee County portion of Longboat to falling under the jurisdiction of Sarasota County.

In other words, make all of Longboat Key part of Sarasota County.

Former Commissioner Irwin Pastor was the leading advocate of this during his tenure.

Two primary reasons for having all of Longboat in Sarasota County are: n Longboat’s Manatee County residents would experience a 34% drop in their property tax rate. The millage rate for Longboat’s Manatee County residents is 6.432; for Sarasota County, it’s 4.808. n The other reason is to cut the

cost of town government. Being in two counties means the town often must file duplicate reports for the state on multiple issues.

Plus, there’s the public safety issues of having to work with two county sheriff’s departments, two county emergency management departments, tax collectors, supervisors of elections and on and on.

When Pastor initiated this effort, he knew it would be a multi-year, complicated process — and it will be.

That’s why the commission should make an annual commitment to continue pursuing this goal.

2)The perplexing conundrum of the town having an oversupply of commercially zoned property and its restrictions on residential density.

With the exception of the Shoppes at Bay Isles, many of Long-

boat’s commercial properties are deteriorating and in need of redevelopment.

To be sure, the Key’s seasonality has shown how difficult it is for commercial properties to thrive.

Whitney Beach Plaza is the poster child of the result of too much commercially zoned properties on Longboat and not enough consumer demand.

As we’ve seen over the past two decades, Whitney Beach cannot make it as a thriving retail center. As a result, the buildings are aging beyond their useful life.

But here’s the conundrum: If the owner wanted to upgrade the center to attract new retail tenants, he would not be able to charge the rents to pay for the redevelopment. So the property continues to age and deteriorate.

And yet, at the same time, the owner cannot convert to resi-

dential use —unless a majority of Longboat voters approve.

That’s the catch. And most everyone knows, Longboaters typically reject any discussions about increasing residential density. The argument always is: We don’t want to be Miami Beach. Too much traffic as it is.

The result of all this is that amid the increasing number of $2 million to $10 million residential properties, Longboat has an increasing number of dilapidating commercial centers.

The challenge: What should be done? Let the commercial properties deteriorate? Or are there options that would benefit the commercial property owners and town residents?

Surely the smart minds on Longboat can find an answer.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

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Third party completes audit of Longboat Key Mauldin & Jenkins gave the town’s finances a clean bill of health..

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

An independent audit of Longboat Key’s fiscal year 2020 found the town’s financial statements are fairly presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

CPA and advisory firm Mauldin & Jenkins conducted the audit.

Florida law requires local governments to provide an audit and annual financial report to the state no later than nine months after the end of the fiscal year.

“It’s just another extremely positive audit by a third party auditing firm that looks at our financial records for the previous years,” Town Manager Tom Harmer said. “And, part of that process, they will identify if there are any concerns or areas of improvement, but we have some history here of receiving very favorable audit reports that are very complimentary of our finance team, and this is another one.”

Harmer said Mauldin & Jenkins did not have any recommendations for the town to change its financial practices.

“The scope of the independent audit is to provide reasonable assurance that the financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, are free of material misstatement,”

the audit states. “The independent audit involved examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements; assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management; and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.

Because the town did not spend more than $750,000 of federal expenditures or state financial assistance, it is not required to undergo a federal or state audit.

Among the financial highlights of the audit, Harmer said he was proud of how the town financially adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think we’ve been very conservative, and this plays out in the audit as well, but very conservative in our forecasting of the impact of COVID last year when it first occurred, and that’s worked out [in] our favor,” Harmer said.

“The impact has been less than when we first projected it to be, and so I think that part is really good.”

Harmer said the audit shows how the town’s revenues were higher than forecasted and the town underspent its approved budget.

“When the commission provides us a work plan and a budget for the year, we work really hard to accomplish those things within the budget, and if we can save any money, we’d like to do that,” Harmer said.

Here are some of the financial highlights of the audit: n Government fund balances of

File photo

Since Longboat Key did not spend more than $750,000 of federal expenditures or state financial assistance, it is not required to undergo a federal or state audit.

$68.4 million at the close of fiscal year 2020, which was a decrease of $2 million from the previous fiscal year. About $7 million is available for spending at the town’s discretion. The decrease in fund balance is attributed to the underground utilities project and “other capital outlay.” n The general fund balance increased by $600,000 to $10.7 million. The increase was because of revenues exceeding estimates

despite reductions in sales tax revenues from COVID-19, unspent contingency funds and the town underspending its appropriated budget. n Changing the way Longboat Key holds reserve funding and calculates its potential use.

“The impact [of COVID-19] has been less than when we first projected it to be, and so I think that part is really good.”

TOM HARMER, TOWN MANAGER

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The pandemic prompted the cancellation of the April 2020 version.

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

The Longboat Key Town Commission has a busy few months ahead before its annual summer recess.

Here’s an overview of what the Town Commission will consider in the coming weeks: APRIL 19 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES MEETING

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What exactly should a Town Center entail? How to remedy traffic issues on the island? What updates are most needed on Longboat Key? The town had to cancel its April 2020 Goals and Objectives meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the annual Goals and Objectives meeting typically provides the community a chance to provide ideas, thoughts and recommendations to commissioners as they plan for the next budget year.

Longboat Key’s Goals and Objectives meeting is set to start at 10 a.m. Monday, April 19 at Town Hall.

SEA TURTLE REGULATIONS

The Town Commission is set to hold at least one more workshop about proposed sea turtle protections before considering a formal ordinance.

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The commission is expected to discuss the proposals on April 19.

The proposals include window tinting for beachfront properties, regulating sources of artificial light, prohibiting beach furniture within 5 feet of marked turtle nests, allowing permitted motorized vehicles to retrieve beach furniture, prohibiting temporary lights such as lanterns or Tiki torches, allowing storage of recreational equipment at night, adding a recreation-use agreement to avoid having people leave beach furniture on the beach and requiring beach furniture to be stacked.

Longboat Key’s ordinance has been in effect since 1987.

If the Town Commission ends up approving a formal ordinance, the changes would not take effect in time for the start of sea turtle season, which runs from May 1 through Oct. 31.

TOWN COMMISSION RETREAT ON APRIL 23

The COVID-19 pandemic postponed last year’s retreat to November.

Topics that came up during the 2020 retreat included budgeting, intergovernmental relations, mainland transportation’s impact on Longboat Key, the Town Center site and improving cell phone service on the island.

This year’s retreat is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, April 23 at a location to be determined.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

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Kiwanis Club grant will keep tutoring plan going Children’s Guardian Fund students could also benefit from a video database of community members’ success stories.

NAT KAEMMERER STAFF WRITER

The Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key has received a $5,000 grant to support tutoring with Sarasota organization Children’s Guardian Fund.

Kiwanis has funded students through tutoring in the past with donations and fundraising totaling about $35,000. This grant will help new kids in the CGF programs get one-on-one tutoring for six months. CGF serves local foster children, who get off track in school due to volatile family situations, said CGF Executive Director Svetlana Ivashchenko.

The grant will help tutoring continue through the critical summer months, Ivashchenko said.

The club has a service element attached with the grant.

When the club applied, it proposed interviewing club members about their careers and creating a video database for kids in CGF to browse so they can see the different paths to success.

“Hopefully, they can start thinking about their educational paths and their future careers that they want to have,” Ivashchenko said. “Hopefully, we generate enough interest from the kids … say they get really excited about

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The database is only in its early stages, and Ivashchenko is still working on figuring out the technology for it, but the club is excited to get it going.

“These kids may get bored by these old people, you know, who knows?” Larson said. “But hopefully, we can try to give them some ideas.”

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

Liz Yerkes opens new massage business Yerkes has been on Longboat Key since the early 1990s and has reopened her massage business after the pandemic.

NAT KAEMMERER STAFF WRITER

There’s a new massage business in town, but it’s run by a familiar face. Massage therapist Liz Yerkes, who has worked in several offices since the early 1990s, reopened her own office on March 1, at 595 Bay Isles Road, Suite 220.

From the time Yerkes, 65, shut down her Centre Shops office in April 2020 to the time she started working again in late June, it was the longest she’d gone without practicing massage since she got licensed.

For nine months, she worked in the offices of friends Debby Debile and Brandy Mixon.

“I just felt like I needed my own space again,” Yerkes said. “But they were so gracious to let me work.”

Massage is her first love, but Yerkes is also a personal trainer, a member of the Society for Oncology Massage and is working on learning reflexology and aromatherapy. She’s been all over the place on Longboat Key, from Harbor Square to the Centre Shops to the most recent place above the Lazy Lobster. Breaking her lease was devastating, she said, but she doesn’t regret it. She’s been able to keep many of the clients she’s had for years.

Yerkes came to Longboat Key in 1991 and had gone to a Boulder, Colorado, massage school. She was already certified in massage by the time she came to town, but actually worked at various salons on the Key for two years. After running around between multiple Ana Molinari salons, she wanted to start a less stressful career. She began working as a massage therapist in 1993, when she started taking clients in her home.

“I like people, and I was a potter before, so I really like using my hands, and I'm strong,” Yerkes said. “And my mother really encouraged me a lot. I still have the table that my mother bought me for my 40th birthday. I still love it, but it lives at Plymouth Harbor now.”

In addition to her regularly scheduled clients at her office, Yerkes does massage at Plymouth Harbor and Sarasota Bay Club.

Working with those in assisted living has been good for both parties, for Yerkes recognizes the depression many suffered without others to talk to during the pandemic. Restarting massage was a fraught decision, but she’s glad she started again.

“The people even last June and July were very safe, very trusting, but there were some people I wouldn't work on, because they had just flown,” Yerkes said. “My rule was don’t work with anybody that doesn’t have respect for COVID, so I screened and continue to screen people pretty carefully. And the clients I want to work with are the ones that are cautious, they’re OK with that

4/8

Photo by Nat Kaemmerer

extra (step).”

There are many extra steps these days. Yerkes puts extra time between appointments to run a UV cleaner and sanitizes anything her clients may have touched. She also gets tested for COVID-19 twice a week due to her work at Plymouth Harbor. The cautious-

ness has paid off and because she moved into her own place, business has been increasing.

“Now that I'm vaccinated, and a lot of my clients have had both vaccinations now, I am turning people away every day,” Yerkes said. “I just need to clone myself.”

Liz Yerkes has been on Longboat Key since the early 1990s.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

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SOUNDING OFF 8:08 p.m., 2100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen assist: An officer was sent to look into a report of an activated car alarm. When he arrived, the officer learned from the car’s owner that the alarm was the result of an electrical fault.

The owner deactivated the alarm and told the officer he would have a mechanic fix the issue.

LOST AND EVENTUALLY FOUND 2:01 p.m., 4000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Found property: While walking in a town park, an officer was approached by a man who found a wallet. After examining the wallet and making an inventory of the its contents, the finder was issued a receipt and the officer began checking around the park to find the owner. After no one was found, the wallet was taken to the police department for safekeeping. Days later, the owner was found via the internet and contacted. He said he had been visiting Longboat Key and had returned home in the meantime, but correctly identified the wallet’s contents.

OVERDONE 5:55 p.m., 600 block of Buttonwood Drive Alarm: First responders were called to a home on a report of a fire alarm sounding. After the cause of the alarm was determined to be cooking smoke, emergency workers were released from the scene.

APRIL 5

HOT OR NOT? 5:28 a.m., 7200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen assist: Police and fire rescue units were sent to the Longboat Pass bridge and found a broken-down vehicle blocking the northbound lane. The owner of the vehicle said it had overheated.

It was pushed to the end of the bridge and allowed to cool off.

LEFT BEHIND 7 p.m., police headquarters Found property: A zip-lock bag containing a wallet was found resting on a police patrol vehicle at the station. Left by a resident who had visited earlier but departed before an officer could arrive, the wallet contained cash, credit cards and identification.

Police contacted the owner of the wallet via the information found inside, and the owner said he would come to the police department to pick it up.

APRIL 6

“TELL HIM HI FOR ME” 9:28 a.m., 500 block of Russell Street Welfare check: Police were asked to check on the welfare of a resident who hadn’t been heard from in a while. An officer sent to the home found the resident healthy and in no danger. The officer advised the resident about the call about her well-being, to which she responded “Oh, that’s my exhusband. Tell him hi for me.’’

APRIL 7

ALL. NIGHT. LONG. 7:43 a.m., 600 block of Buttonwood Drive Noise complaint: The sound of a pump expelling groundwater from a swimming pool project was enough to prompt a call to police. The officer discovered the backyard work and spoke to a person in the home who said the owners were away for two days.

Calls to the contractor were not successful.

A FORMER RACCOON 8:36 a.m., 1200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Animal complaint: Police were alerted to the presence of a dead

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raccoon on the road. An officer moved it off the pavement and conducted no further investigation.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

15A

TOWN FIRST RESPONDERS HELP WITH BOAT FIRE

IT’S A GUSHER 5:31 p.m., 500 block of Channel Lane Citizen assist: A bit of yard maintenance led to a plumbing problem for a resident. Called to a neighborhood to look into a possible water-main break, an officer spoke to a homeowner who said he had been trimming a tree when a limb fell and hit a backflow pipe. The officer said because the break was on private property, it was the homeowner’s responsibility to repair. The resident said he would call a plumbing contractor to stop the leak, which was beginning to pond on a nearby road.

Firefighters and police from Longboat Key responded to and assisted with a boat fire on Sarasota Bay on Saturday in which nine people were rescued unharmed.

At its height, the 24-foot powerboat was engulfed in flames about 350 yards off the 10th Street boat ramps near the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota.

Civilian boaters along with police brought the vessel’s nine occupants to safety.

The boat sank following the fire, and the area was being monitored for fuel or oil leaks before the vessel could be removed.

A mechanical fault was believed to have caused the fire to ignite.

APRIL 9

Courtesy photo

Firefighters on Longboat Key's fireboat douse the flames of a 24-foot powerboat in Sarasota Bay on Saturday.

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NO REPLY AT ALL 2:42 a.m., 5600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Noise complaint: Police were alerted to a noise complaint coming from condominium community. The responding officer saw lights on inside the unit to which he was directed, but he heard no noise. His repeated knocks on the door were not answered.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

Longboat Island Chapel hosts blood drive, food drive The chapel has hosted multiple versions of each event, but never at the same time.

NAT KAEMMERER STAFF WRITER

With noisemakers, bright colors and spinning pinwheels, a group of Longboat Island Chapel women did their best to solicit food donations on April 9.

The chapel held a food drive in one portion of the parking lot and a blood drive in another.

The church has held a few food drives throughout the pandemic, said Cindy Kuehnel. The food donations from the weekend will

go to Our Daily Bread in Bradenton.

Elsewhere, a staff of volunteers helped Suncoast Blood Center representative Sue Weber-Hegge run the blood drive, accepting appointments and walk-ups.

There is a critical need for blood due to social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, and the chapel has held three blood drives throughout the past year.

The women standing along Gulf of Mexico Drive got friendly honks and horns from drivers and cyclists as they tried to bring in donors.

Jamie Engel, who was working at the blood drive portion, brought a trunkload of food to donate.

Courtesy photo

Residents of Yardarm Lane gather for a block party.

Yardarm Lane gets back in the groove of things

R

esidents of Yardarm Lane in Country Club Shores celebrated the ability to get back into the groove of things with a block party on April 3.

The theme was “Getting Back to Groovy,” wrote resident Joanne Forch, and residents of the street were invited to dress up in their grooviest gear and party with their neighbors. Neighbors Kristie and Keith Harrison were the organizers and brought in a food truck called The Groovy Grill. Yardarm neighbors dined on grilled cheese and burgers.

“It was so much fun to be vaccinated, have a party and feel normal again,” Forch said.

From young kids to older adults, the street was filled with hippies wearing circular sunglasses, tie dye and more fringe than has been seen in decades. Forch wrote the next block party will be in fall with either the theme of Biker Chicks or Time to Rodeo.

– NAT KAEMMERER

Photo by Nat Kaemmerer

Ana Isabelle & Friends

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

30TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON

30 To every dancer, donor, audience member, board member, staff member, student, and volunteer,

THANK YOU FOR MAKING THESE 30 YEARS POSSIBLE! AND HERE IS TO THE NEXT 30 !

941.359.0099 355475-1

www.SarasotaBallet.org

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

We Serve All Families

TRIBUTES William Hayward Klingbeil

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William Hayward Klingbeil, 99, a long time resident of Longboat Key, passed away peacefully at home in Mount Dora, Florida on March 31, 2021.

Bill was a WWII veteran, and an active member of the Sarasota community. He volunteered in the Longboat Chapel’s “Shepherding Program” and at the Sarasota Volunteer Center. He was a member of the Sarasota Yacht Club, and founded a social group called “The Minor Leaguers”.

Bill said his three great loves in his life were Family, Friends, and Fishing - in that order.

Susan Slocum, his wife of 64 years, was the “light of his life”. He adored his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He considered himself a fine fisherman but a very mediocre “catcher”. Bill Klingbeil will be remembered for his love of people, his positive outlook on life and his contagious smile. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.

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TECHNICAL TRANSLATION The Sarasota Ballet has adapted to the pandemic by learning how to stage filmed ballet shows.

HARRY SAYER STAFF WRITER

W

Andres Paz edits each show as footage comes in.

Aaron Muhl is on hand to be sure the lighting feels right and to adjust levels to get it there.

Assistant Producer Margaret Barbieri directs dancers from the seats.

gram’s videos. “Everything kind of transferred digitally after the pandemic so the dancers could keep dancing.”

The company’s sixth digital program, set to premiere April 23, is a collection of works from Sir Frederick Ashton.

Preparation for “Valses Nobles et Sentimentales”, “The Walk to the Paradise Garden’” and “Façade” requires a joint effort between the ballet’s lighting specialist, videographers, choreographers and performers to make the video look just right.

Staff work for authenticity when lining up performers and adjusting the lights — they want the video on the audience’s screens to feel just like how it would in person. It requires a different skillset and approach for much of the company’s longtime staff.

Assistant Producer Marga-

ret Barbieri, who has staged the performances for the sixth program, directs the on-stage performers with a microphone while standing at a distance.

It’s her favorite work, but she admits the new approach has been a trial and a tribulation.

“You can’t say ‘Oh, that’s what I did last program so to apply to this (program),’” Barbieri said. “Every ballet is different.”

Much of that difference and focus involves the right amount of color and lighting, which is where resident lighting designer Aaron Muhl comes in.

He describes his job as a rotating process where he monitors both the live stage and the video coming through the cameras to make sure the proper amount of light and color is displayed on the stage so that it comes in looking authentic in video. The end result is often performers

Photos by Harry Sayer

All Angels Episcopal Church | 563 Bay Isles Rd • Drive-in Church, Sunday at 10:00. Tune your car radio to 107.5 FM • Walk-up Church, enjoy the garden setting and listen to the service

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• Zoom service - email dave@allangelsLBK.org for the link

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

St. Mary, Star of the Sea,

Worship With Us at Our Church

Catholic Church

Sunday Service 10:00 AM

Would like to Welcome & Invite You, Your Family Members & Friends to Celebrate Mass with Our Parish Community MASS SCHEDULE Saturday: 3:30 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

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941.383.8833 (office)

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An Ecumenical Church that Welcomes all People Founded in 1956

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www.christchurchlbk.org

Please join us in 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

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6400 Gulf of Mexico Dr.

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Sarasota Ballet Digital Program 6 Performances: “Valses nobles et sentimentales”, “The Walk to the Paradise Garden” and “Façade” all by Sir Frederick Ashton Tickets: $35 Information: SarasotaBallet.com

JOIN US FOR IN-PERSON WORSHIP on Sundays at 9 and 11am.

Or join us online at 9am at www.saklc.com/live or on Facebook

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Growing in Jesus’ Name

ent, and everyone has a different kind of screen — be it a laptop, iPhone, tablet, or more — to view the shows on, and Paz and the videography team work hard to help make sure the programs look consistent on every device.

“Every time there is a change, we immediately see it on the computer to make sure that we are staying loyal to the vision of the choreographer who created the ballet,” Paz said. “...

These are moving bodies. What you want to do with the shot is make sure that you’re providing the best light.”

Lauren Ostrander, a fellow coryphee dancer performing in the sixth program, says she’s a visual learner and has tried to view her performance videos with a more objective eye.

“I’ll literally close one eye and move the phone super far away from me and try to watch it as maybe what majority of the audience is seeing,” Ostrander said. “I realized that they’re not picking apart every single pinky finger movement.”

There’s no denying Pratt, Ostrander, and many other performers and staff members are looking forward to dancing in front of a crowd again, but they feel good about dancing at all in this moment.

“I love… seeing the product of your hard work,” Ostrander said. “We’re definitely doing our best. That’s reason enough to get up each day and work.”

LUTHERAN CHURCH

• Indoor worship services this Sunday at 8 am and 10 am

941-383-8161 • www.AllAngelsLBK.org

19A

St. Armands Key

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5 Ways to Worship at All Angels

going through their motions on a brightly lit stage that ends up looking correct on video.

Increasing and decreasing the intensity and color of light to match a production’s mood and emotion is what Muhl aims for with each production.

“The camera is very sensitive to some colors, and not so sensitive to others,” Muhl said.

“I find that I’m saturating color for the camera, as opposed to the live stage.” It has to do with the balance between what’s on stage and how it should look and what the camera actually picks up. Sometimes they’re minimal changes. And sometimes they are extraordinarily drastic changes.”

Paz looks at the filmed result during rehearsal and makes sure the lighting, color and tone is how it should be as if you were in a live show.

Everyone’s retinas are differ-

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

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

Please wear your mask and maintain social distancing.

Please visit our website to view mass.

Rev. Robert Dziedziak, Pastor

Temple Beth Israel

A Center of Jewish Life and Learning in the Sarasota Area Your health and well-being are of the utmost concern to us!

With the situation engendered by the current public health emergency around the country and the world, we want to err on the side of caution.

All TBI physical gatherings are postponed until further notice.

Please access our Shabbat Services and programs on our website, YouTube, Facebook and Zoom.

941.383.3428 | www.tbi-lbk.org

RABBI STEPHEN L. SNIDERMAN, D.D.

567 Bay Isles Road • Longboat Key, FL

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hen he’s on stage, ballet dancer Daniel Pratt feels entirely in his element.

The 30-year-old Sarasota Ballet dancer says there are times when he’s performing in front of a live audience that he feels absolutely beautiful and satisfied that he’s giving it his all.

When he gets off stage and takes a look at himself on video, it can be a different story. With a live performance, Pratt knows he has the one shot to put on a good performance and leave it all out there. But with a video recording, Pratt can fixate on small details in his dancing that rub him the wrong way.

It might not always feel right, but it’s usually exactly what the ballet’s technical team needs.

The Sarasota Ballet has transitioned to a digital format for much of the pandemic, where the company’s dancers put on a series of filmed performances to be streamed at home by the organization’s typically in-person audience.

“Initially I didn’t like watching myself,” Pratt said. “It’s like hearing yourself back on voicemail. That was an obstacle, but now I’m in a place where I can’t quite say I enjoy it, but I’m using it as a learning tool where I’m watching what I’m doing.”

While Pratt and other dancers have learned to put on a different kind of performance, the ballet’s technical staff has had to learn how to properly capture that performance on camera.

“Everything was completely different before the pandemic,” said Andres Paz, a videographer who now helps edit the pro-

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

ROGER SELLS

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Perfectly situated on almost three-acres on the gated northern Gulf shores of Casey Key, this exquisite 4BR home with a beautiful, separate 2BR guest house was completely renovated and partially rebuilt. Impeccable finishes create a classic design that is rarely obtainable.

Gorgeous, lush landscaping and private gated entry welcomes you to this 5BR direct bayfront estate. Built in 2006, offering exceptionally high construction and designed with energy efficient and sustainable materials. The enviable central locale, plus spectacular bay and sunset views perfectly complement the lavishness at this custom residence.

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An enviable direct Gulf-to-bay location is the highlight at this charming 3BR bungalow on the private island of Casey Key. This unique parcel offers nearly 100’ of direct beach frontage with an additional peninsula that juts out to the sailboat-deep waters of Little Sarasota Bay, and includes a protected dock.

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This bayfront residence in famed Bird Key is only a short, sunny walk from downtown and St. Armands. Resting on nearly a 1/2-acre of waterfront property along Sarasota Bay, waiting for you to add your personal touches or begin your dream home, this 4BR residence offers two newer A/C systems and a courtyard pool area.

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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 Pettingell.com | www.bestSarasotarealestate.net Twitter.com/RealRoger | Instagram.com/RogerPettingell | Roger@Pettingell.com Owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC

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APRIL 15, 2021

YOUR NEIGHBORS REQUIEM FOR COCO NAT KAEMMERER

Coco Bertucci, the unofficial mascot of St. Armands Circle, died at 13.

STAFF WRITER

F

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or years, St. Armands Circle has had an unofficial mascot: a tiny, sweet and sassy Yorkie-poodle mix by the name of Coco.

“We would do this every day for 12 years,” Coco’s dad, Joe Bertucci, said. “Rain or shine, we got in the car and went down to St. Armands every night.”

Bertucci and Coco walked every inch of the Circle nearly every night, going up and down the side streets and stopping at her favorite places, which included the Tommy Bahama store and Settimi’s Gelato.

Restaurant regulars and shop owners were among her best friends.

Technically, the walk was exercise for Coco, but she treated it more like a social occasion. With pit stops.

“She would pee like 10 times,” Bertucci said. “I don’t know how she held all that in that little body. A drop here, there. That was our social life, basically. We ruled the Circle.”

But since March 24, Bertucci hasn’t been back to the Circle.

His companion died that day, at age 13. Her death came as a shock.

“She was spry, she was healthy,” Bertucci said.

When Bertucci came back to Longboat Key with Coco in late January, he took her for her regular vaccines. The veterinarian found cancer in her spleen, but it was knocked out with chemotherapy. A few weeks later, after Coco missed breakfast a few days, Bertucci took her back. Not only had the cancer come back, but she also had an infection, and antibiotics weren't working.

“It was a matter of five weeks from being sick to being gone,'' Bertucci said. “It’s just heartbreaking. I didn’t expect this … I took such good care of her, and it was just her time, I guess.”

Bertucci and Coco had several stops around the Circle, including Rico’s Pizza, Wyland Galleries and the Black Dog General Store, but the place they most often stopped was Settimi’s Gelato.

Bertucci had become friends with owner Isidro “Ichi” Lodi over the

Courtesy photos

“She loved to be petted. One time in the Tommy Bahama store, there was a whole big family. She went from person to person to person to get petted and when she ran out of people, she barked at the mannequin.” Joe Bertucci, Coco’s dad

Joe Bertucci and Coco.

years and even had one of Coco’s birthday parties at the place.

“Coco was sweet, sweet, sweet,” Lodi said. “She was the doggy that every single person stopped to pet. Kids, adults. She was so kind, very gentle with kids, but she’d get mad when the motorcycles made noise.”

Coco was the steadiest fixture among the “kennel club” outside Settimi’s. Andrew Fletcher, a longtime friend of Bertucci’s, would often go with wife, Katherine, and their Bernese mountain dog, Berner. The four-legged pair couldn’t

Coco at Cha Cha Coconuts.

have been more different but were great friends. Bertucci remembers how Coco would eat biscuit crumbs off Berner’s huge paws, and the big guy didn’t care at all. The group of Settimi’s dogs always drew pets from passing Circle-goers.

“Berner didn’t like the attention as much, and she (Coco) loved it,” Fletcher said. “Someone would want to go and pet Bernie, and he was OK with it, just shy, but Coco loved the attention. She was a great dog.”

The attention was everywhere, and Coco couldn’t get enough of it. Tourists remembered her when they returned to the Circle, the little Yorkie-poodle in a pink bow who preened for petting. Fletcher remembers when Coco wanted to go, she would give Bertucci a little attitude and a bark, as if to tell Dad to get moving. There were places to be and people to pet her, especially in the Tommy Bahama store.

“She loved to be petted,” Bertucci said. “One time in the Tommy Bahama store, there was a whole big family. She went from person to person to person to get petted, and when she ran out of people, she barked at the mannequin.”

Bertucci and Coco often went to Cha Cha Coconuts for dinner as they walked the Circle, and Coco had a pad that Bertucci put down on her very own chair each time so they could sit together. She often ate from his plate and loved the chicken, which was one of her last meals.

Bertucci had Coco cremated so he can take her with him, both in life and death. He said when he goes, he wants Coco’s box to go with him. She was a one-of-akind dog, and friends remember her as more than a dog to the man.

“I remember Joe showed me pictures of taking Coco to see Santa Claus,” Ichi said. “She was more like a kid rather than a dog.”

Bertucci said the questions about her when he returns will be hard to deal with.

“Joe was kind of a fixture on the Circle,” Fletcher said. “It’s sad he’s not there as much now that Coco’s gone. It’s not the same without Joe and Coco always sitting there at night.”

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

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

Laughing gull C

10% OFF Living Room

ommonly seen, and often heard, laughing gulls are named for their raucous, laugh-like calls. Of the nine gull species found in Florida, only laughing gulls breed here, and many are yearlong residents. These web-footed coastal birds nest in large colonies, on the grounds of coastal islands free of human disturbance and terrestrial predators (such as raccoons and cats).

Adult laughing gulls sport two different looks, depending on the time of year. In breeding season, their head is black, and their bill reddish. In non-breeding season, their head turns mostly gray, and their bill black. Young gulls are more subtly patterned.

Laughing gulls are opportunistic feeders and their diet is varied. Along the coast they eat small fish and crustaceans. You’ll also spot them stealing food from other birds, even boldly landing on brown pelicans’ heads to do so! Inland, they eat earthworms, snails, garbage and flying insects.

When foraging for flying insects, gulls exhibit a behavior called “hawking,” meaning they take their prey on the wing (while flying). This feeding behavior, unfortunately, has popularized the human custom of tossing bread (or other food) into the air

Upholstery - TV Stands Occasional Tables Entertainment - Rockers - Bookcases Display or order. Not valid on previous purchases or Miller’s Custom Cabinetry. Use code livingroom online.

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to attract gulls, often just to create a photo opportunity.

Feeding birds human food fills them up with nutritionally deficient calories, and can also potentially harm them. And, encouraging gulls to approach humans, and depend upon us for food, can cause them to become a nuisance or threat, which, in turn, threatens the birds. By not feeding gulls, and properly disposing of food waste, we can discourage their presence on our beaches in large numbers.

This, in turn, reduces the potential of gulls preying on endangered shore birds eggs and nestlings.

There are approximately 50 species of gulls found throughout the world.

— MIRI HARDY, SAVE OUR SEABIRDS

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

WHETHER YOU’RE LISTING OR LOOKING...

I bring over 10 years of experience in the negotiation of high stakes contracts for buyers and sellers on Florida’s Suncoast.

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COUNTRY CLUB SHORES 602 Ranger Lane SOLD! $3,010,000

BIRD KEY 472 Partridge Circle PENDING! $4,175,000

BIRD KEY 525 Bird Key Drive SOLD! $1,950,000

INN ON THE BEACH 200 Sands Point Rd., #1405 SOLD! $1,425,000

L’AMBIANCE 415 L’Ambiance Dr., #302B SOLD! $1,625,000

COUNTRY CLUB SHORES 560 Outrigger Drive PENDING! $1,560,000

443 JOHN RINGLING BLVD., STE. F | SARASOTA, FL 34236 595 BAY ISLES ROAD, STE. 250 | LONGBOAT KEY, FL 34228 356104-1

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

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

N

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T AC R T

RECENT ACTIVITY D OL S ST JU

2067 H A R BOUR LINKS DR I V E, #4 L on g b o at K e y | O f f ere d at $ 7 79, 0 0 0 MLS# A4178487

2067 H A R BOUR LINKS DR I V E, #4 L on g b o at K e y | O f f ere d at $ 7 79, 0 0 0 MLS# A4178487

YOUR 2067 H A R BOUR LINKS DR I V E, #4 PROPERTY HERE L on g b o at K e y | O f f ere d at $ 7 79, 0 0 0 MLS# A4178487

It’s a great time to be a Seller! Call us for a complimentary market analysis today.

WESTCHESTER WALK-OUT

4825 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE #105 | LONGBOAT KEY | $819,000 Completely renovated direct gulf front 2 bedroom residence offers full unobstructed views of the azure water with excellent amenities and a convenient location close to everything.

MLS# A4496403 R NT

T AC

2067 H A RRBOUR LINKS DR I V E, #4 CO E K e y | O f f ere d at $ 7 79, 0 0 0 L on g b oDat UN MLS# A4178487

2067 H A R BOUR LINKS DR I V E, #4 L on g b o at K e y | O f f ere d at $ 7 79, 0 0 0 MLS# A4178487

2067 H A R BOUR LINKS DR I V E, #4 L on g b o at K e y | O f f ere d at $ 7 79, 0 0 0 MLS# A4178487

225 SANDS POINT RD #6206 | $630,000

D OL S ST JU

2067 H A R BOUR LINKSISLANDER DR I V E, #4 CLUB PERFECTION 2067 H A R BOUR LINKS DR I V E, #4 L on g b o at K e2301 y | OGULF f f ere dOF at MEXICO $ 7 79, 0 0 0 DRIVE #32N | LONGBOAT L on g b o at K eKEY y | O| f$899,000 f ere d at $ 7 79, 0 0 0 Exquisitely updated 2 bedroom residence showcases turquoise water MLS# views from every room. The MLS# A4178487 A4178487

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3B

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

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

Georgina Clamage and Michael Moulton

Photo by Nat Kaemmerer

Michael Saunders & Co. presents annual awards The party was back in person after being held virtually in 2020.

NAT KAEMMERER STAFF WRITER

A home in Longbeach Village was the scene of the 2021 Michael Saunders & Co. awards on April 8 as agents from the Longboat Key offices came to accept awards and celebrate surviving and thriving throughout the pandemic.

Pastries, wine and made-toorder ice cream were on the menu for the evening, and attendees dined happily as they gazed out at the views of the bay and enjoyed an in-person social event.

Sharon Gould, the branch manager for the Longboat Key and mid-Longboat Key offices, started the awards ceremony, noting how excited everyone was to be back in

person after 2020 and showering love and praise upon her team.

Awards were given out in many categories both qualitative and quantitative, from the Raving Fan Award, Circle of Excellence Award and Founders Award to Top Individual Sales, Top Team and Top in Units and Volume.

The Longboat Key offices are up in units and volume so far in 2021 and have brought in about $46 million more in the first quarter of 2021 than the first quarter of 2020.

“That is down to you and the service you give your people,” Gould said.

Finally, after a lighthearted speech and some Realtor humor, Gould’s team presented her with the award of an orchid.

JUST CHILLIN’: Alvin loves to hang out wherever his people are on Longboat Key.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

5B

Quite Simply The Best Gulf Front Community in Sarasota The Orchid Beach Club

Stunning Luxury Residence in a Gated Community Located at the Quiet Tip of Lido Key 3 bedrooms, 3.5baths, Family room, 3,242 Sf 727 sf lanai with gas barbecue

Fabulous Amenities: 24/7 security, concierge Garage Parking for 2 vehicles side-by-side State-of-the-art fitness center, Massage room, steam room & sauna Library, game room, catering kitchen Social room and dining room/board room Fenced, beautifully landscaped dog walk, 2 pets allowed Gulf front heated pool & spa $2,195,000

Sylvia Babineau 941/504.0551

sylviababineau@gmail.com My Realty Company

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

FRIDAY, APRIL 16

ST. ARMANDS KEY LUTHERAN CHURCH BOOK SALE From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, 40 N. Adams Drive, browse used books from the church’s library.

The sale will continue at the same time on Saturday, April 17.

SUNDAY, APRIL 18

SURFRIDER CLEANUP From 9-11:30 a.m. at the 100 N. Shore Road beach access, join the Surfrider Foundation for a beach cleanup. Email Tahniya Smith at tahniya@icloud.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 22

NATURE TALKS AND WALKS FOR EARTH DAY From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 GMD, enjoy self-guided or guid-

ed walks and keynote speakers from Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast.

There will also be talks at the garden gazebo every half hour and exhibitors in the garden.

Masks are required.

RECURRING EVENTS MONDAYS

STRETCH & STRENGTHEN From 10-11 a.m. at the Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road.

Focus is on strength training and flexibility for balance. Class is outdoors and led by Suzy Brenner. Fee is $10. Walk-ins welcome. For information call 383-6493.

THINKING OUT LOUD: TIMELY TOPICS WITH MIKE KARP From 1-2:30 p.m. at the Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road.

Topics will include U.S. and world current affairs, popular culture and topics relevant to seniors. Held outdoors, weather permitting. Cost is $10. Walkins welcome. For information call 383-6493.

MAH JONGG From 1-3 p.m. at the Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road.

Beginning or intermediate players. Held indoors or outdoors, weather permitting. Face masks required indoors. RSVP to check availability and/or be put on a wait list: MaryAnnBrady@ TheParadiseCenter.Org or 3836493.

TUESDAYS

ROTARY CLUB Meets at 5 p.m. virtually on Zoom, every first and third Tuesday. Call Nancy Rozance at 203-605-4066, or email Info@ LongboatKeyRotary.org.

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. Cost is $10.

Walk-ins welcome. For information call 383-6493.

WEDNESDAYS

TAI CHI From 10-11 a.m. at the Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road.

Class is outdoors. Cost is $10.

E X PA ND

Walk-ins welcome. For information call 383-6493.

THURSDAYS

KIWANIS CLUB OF LONGBOAT KEY At 8:30 a.m. at the Lazy Lobster, 5350 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

This service organization meets every first and third Thursday of the month for breakfast and a speaker. Breakfast is $10.

Email President Lynn Larson at lynnlarson@comcast.com to register.

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. Class is outdoors.

Cost is $10. Walk-ins welcome.

For information call 383-6493.

IPHONE & IPAD—“BEYOND” BASICS PLUS From 1-3 p.m. with the Longboat Key Education Center. Zoom only. Four sessions. Members $100, Non-members $110. For information call 383-8811, email Info@LBKEducationCenter.org or visit LBKEducationCenter. org.

W HAT IT MEA NS TO BE HOME

FRIDAYS

YOGA AND MEDITATION From 10-11 a.m. at the Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road.

Class is outdoors. Walk-ins welcome. Cost is $10 for nonmembers, free for members.

For information call 383-6493.

VIRTUAL COCKTAIL HOUR 5 p.m. on Zoom with Temple Beth Israel, join for a themed cocktail hour. The Temple is holding “My Jewish Journey,” a series of talks from congregation members. The hour leads into the temple’s virtual Shabbat dinners. Contact iazerad@ tbi-lbk.org or info@tbi-lbk.org for information.

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YOUR CALENDAR

6B

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

7B

Whether you are Buying or Selling,

REID MURPHY

WILL LEAD YOU TO A SUCCESSFUL REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE! Photo taken by Reid Murphy

CALL REID TODAY! | 941.232.3304 | www.ReidMurphy.com PENDING

LONGBOAT KEY EXQUISITE BAYFRONT ESTATE $7,800,000 Casually elegant behind private gates. Stunning features & panoramic views. One of the finest properties on Florida’s west coast! 75’ heated pool on 600’ of frontage deep bay water w/3 boat slips, guest house & 8 car garage.

BIRD KEY BOATERS PARADISE $5,500,000 Beautiful Bird Key custom home. 4BD/4BA +nursery/office w/master. Many upgrades inside and out 100ft Sarasota Bay frontage w/ bay front infinity pool. Deep water slip w/new dock, large lift & 2 jet ski lifts. Four car garage.

SOLD

LIDO KEY POLK $3,875,000 Close to everything! 3 Level Coastal Home w/Gulf & city views from 20’x20’ roof top deck w/elevator & stair chair service. 5/ BD 6/BA all w/en-suite private baths. Impressive pool area w/ eleveatd spa and rock waterfall. One block to beach.

LBK RARELY AVAILABLE CONDO $685,000 Covert Gulfside 3BD corner third floor. Beautiful beach. Great location, close to restaurants and shops with Gulf and sunset views.

LBK PRIVATE GULFFRONT ESTATE $4,995,000 4BR/5BA. Magnificent 4BR/5BA w/ private walk to gorgeous Gulf beach. Dramatic views from multiple porches. 4 car garage.

Walking distance to shops. AMAZING VALUE!

LIDO KEY JACKSON $3,315,000 Gorgeous 3 level Coastal Home w/ elevator 6/BD - 5w/en-suite baths. Balcony off the Master + shared balcony on 3rd level. 3 minute bike ride to beach 3 minute walk to St. Armand’s Circle.

Private heated pool w/covered gaming area & bar. 2 car garage.

ST. ARMANDS VAN BUREN $2,945,000 Stunning 3 Level Coastal Home features 5BD/4.5BA - including a Huge Master Bedroom with En Suite Bathroom - w/3 Living Spaces. Multiple Balconies & Patios, private heated pool & spa.

Landscaped & fenced for privacy.

SUPERB LOCATION $1,395,000 3BR/4BA Open plan w/ground floor master suite.

Deeded boat dock w/direct Bay access. Inviting pool in lush privacy.

Across from the beach.

Developers Realty Inc. Lic. Real Estate Broker

www.ReidMurphy.com

595 Bay Isles Road Longboat Key, FL 34228

354688-1

LONGBOAT KEY CUSTOM KEY WEST STYLE HOME SOLD $6,850,000 LONGBOAT KEY BAYFRONT $2,295,000 Exceptional Bayfront custom Key West style 4 bedroom home. Spectacular views. Bayside pool. Amazing opportunity to build your Bayfront dream home on north Longboat Key. Great location.

Roof top viewing area. Boat dock. The best!

Only minutes from the open water.

8B

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

St. Armands Annual Art Festival returns The art show spanned the weekend and showcased artists both close to home and far away.

NAT KAEMMERER STAFF WRITER

N

o matter the medium, there was something for every art fan at the St. Armands Annual Art Festival on April 10 and 11.

First scheduled for January, the festival featured artists from the Sarasota-Bradenton area, around the state and even some from around the country, such as Claudio Tolousse from New Mexico.

Though it took up about the same amount of space as in a normal year, Longboat Key photographer Mary Lou Johnson noted that there had to be more space between the booths to allow for social distancing. She had been on a wait list and learned two days earlier she would be part of the event. In a normal year, Johnson displays her art at shows throughout the year, but this is the second show she’s done since the pandemic.

“I did Siesta (the Siesta Fiesta), but in the past year, four shows got canceled,” Johnson said.

Other artists noted similar situations. Linda Hugues, a painter from Tampa, has done only one other show since the pandemic and showed her art in a virtual setting. Despite the warm, windy day, artists were grateful to be back in person once more.

Sue Ellis with her purchase.

Photos by Nat Kaemmerer

Above: Linda Hugues, a Tampa-based artist who works in oils, displays her art.

Left: Stephanie Lavender with her allnatural art.

Claudio Tolousse came to the show from New Mexico.

Jackie Maloney displays art at her booth.

Living and Working on Longboat Key for 40 Years Cathy C. Meldahl, P.A. Your Longboat Key Community Realtor

FL AW LE SS E X ECUTI O N

• 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

J . D. , R E A LTO R ® , L B K C O M M I S S I O N E R

203.605.9582

R E A L E STAT E S I M P LY D O N E

• On Longboat Key since 2002 • 35 years of legal experience

• 2019 Circle of Excellence recipient • Dedicated to serving our community

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CathyMeldahl@michaelsaunders.com

LBK Commissioner | Sarasota Memorial Hospital volunteer

properties properties expertise expertise results results

• Recent sales in: Promenade | The Pearl | Tangerine Bay | Sands Point Fairway Bay | Harbour Villa Club | Perico Bay

EXTRAORDINARY EXTRAORDINARY

845Longboat LongboatClub ClubRoad Road 845 www.845LongboatClubRoad.com | Regent Court 19,300 | A4440615 | $19,750,000 19,300 SFSF| A4440615 $19,750,000 A4440615 | 19,300SF | 140’ on| the Gulf | $16,500,000 LD SO

Water Club #401 Water Club 65 Lighthouse Point Drive#401 | Gated Community 3,400SF|SF | A4421764 | $2,575,000 3,400 | A4421764 $2,575,000 A4438181 4,933sf | 4BR ‘ |Bay Front | $3,510,000

440 Gulf of Mexico Dr | Longboat Key, Florida 440 Gulf of of Mexico DrDr | Longboat Key,Key, Florida 440 Gulf Mexico | Longboat Florida

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LighthousePoint PointDrive DriveCommunity 6565Lighthouse www.35LighthousePointDrive.com | Gated 4,933|SF SF| A4438181 | A4438181 | Front $3,795,000 4,933 | $3,795,000 4,430sf | 4BR | Bay | $3,300,000 A4477572 LD SO

501Halyard HalyardLane Lane| Lido Shores 501 www.1212WestwayDrive.com 2,340 | A4448464 | $1,995,000 2,340 SFSF| A4448464 | $1,995,000 A4482176 | 4,627sf | 5BR | $3,800,000

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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

|

9B

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

Coldwell Banker Realty 423 St. Armands Circle Sarasota, FL 34236

Website: www.LongboatKeyLuxury.com | Email: Kepecz@JudyHays.com

941.587.1700

Judy Kepecz-Hays

$2.2 BILLION IN CAREER SALES

Steven Kepecz

941.387.1825

Over $125 Million SOLD in 2020 Over $72 Million SOLD Year-To-Date in 2021

R I T Z - C A R LT O N MANAGED 1300 Benjamin Franklin Drive #606 $2,675,000 3 bedroom or 2 master bedrooms en-suite plus a den. This residence is custom-designed with elegant details. Features and displays stunning views of both the Gulf of Mexico and twinkling lights in Sarasota. www.TheBeachResidences606.com | MLS A4445110

1300 Benjamin Franklin Drive #804 $3,750,000 Rarely available, phenomenal floor plan with SUNSET and SUNRISE views. 3 bedrooms plus den or 4 bedrooms.

No need to remodel this residence, ready for instant enjoyment.

2 pets allowed, no weight limit. www.TheBeachResidences804.com | MLS A4493203

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE WE LISTED & WE SOLD IT

ARIA | $5,600,000

WE SOLD IT

TANGERINE BAY | $1,200,000 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive #1006 $995,000 Ritz-Carlton1006.com | MLS A4143524

PLAZA AT FIVE POINTS | 50 Central Ave PENTHOUSE 16 South BEST DOWNTOWN VALUE! Upscale residence in the Heart of the City with Forever Panoramic Wrap-around Views of Sarasota Bay, City, and Mainland.

AT THE FOOT OF MAIN STREET! Enjoy Eateries, Boutiques, Whole Food, and Art Galleries as soon as you step outside your residence!

Almost new 4,200 sq. ft. corner penthouse resides in a very luxurious enclave, 3 parking spaces. www.PlazaAtFivePoints16G.com | MLS A4454416

$2,499,000

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

LOCALLY KNOWN. GLOBALLY CONNECTED. SINCE 1976.

SARASOTA 1400 Ladue Lane Kim Ogilvie 941-376-1717 A4491567 $6,995,000

LONGBOAT KEY 5372 Sandhamn Place Richard Perlman 941-228-8580 A4458496 $3,700,000

HOLMES BEACH 103 75th Street Kathy Marshall 941-900-9777 A4495220 $3,200,000

SARASOTA 1335 2nd Street PH-7 Jonathan Abrams 941-232-2868 A4495711 $2,799,900

BRADENTON 2708 Bay Drive Cheryl Roberts 941-266-1450 A4494263 $2,750,000

BRADENTON 4015 Hawk Island Drive Jenifer Schwell 941-780-0968 A4495224 $1,950,000

SARASOTA 1711 Baywood Way Jami Kellogg 941-809-6931 A4488310 $1,200,000

SARASOTA 1722 Stanford Lane Jami Kellogg 941-809-6931 A4494930 $1,175,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 6700 Gulf Drive 15 Lindsay Nock 941-735-7005 A4492778 $1,150,000

HOLMES BEACH 307 17th Street 307 Jodene Moneuse 941-302-4913 A4496009 $975,000

LONGBOAT KEY 2301 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 32N Ian Addy, PA & E. Gail Wittig 941-961-8850 A4496172 $899,000

LONGBOAT KEY 4825 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 105 Ian Addy, PA & E. Gail Wittig 941-961-8850 A4496403 $819,000

LONGBOAT KEY 680 Fox Street Cindy Fischer 941-465-1124 A4488139 $765,000

SARASOTA 235 Cocoanut Avenue 105B Sandi Layfield & Michael Nink, PA 941-914-2807 A4496292 $759,000

LONGBOAT KEY 3240 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 602 Michael Moulton 941-928-3559 A4484014 $649,000

LONGBOAT KEY 250 Sands Point Road 5104 The Walter Group 941-232-2000 A4496014 $649,000

LONGBOAT KEY 225 Sands Point Road 6206 Ian Addy, PA & E. Gail Wittig 941-961-8850 A4495346 $630,000

LONGBOAT KEY 600 Sutton Place 205 Terri Derr & Rita Holbrook 941-356-6694 A4493723 $539,500

LONGBOAT KEY 3240 Gulf Of Mexico Drive B305 Terri Derr & Rita Holbrook 941-356-6694 A4485219 $499,750

LONGBOAT KEY 4960 Gulf Of Mexico Drive PH2 Bobbie Banan 941-356-2659 A4493763 $445,000

LONGBOAT KEY 4320 Falmouth Drive B102 Malihe Karimi 941-376-5099 A4494621 $440,000

LONGBOAT KEY 621 Spanish Drive N Cecile Coutret & John Coutret 941-735-4444 A4492593 $370,000

LONGBOAT KEY 668 Spanish Drive N 157 Cathy Meldahl & Susan Smith 941-724-7228 A4496279 $365,000

SARASOTA 4307 Beekman Place 49 Terri Riordan 941-441-6644 A4496141 $339,900

LONGBOAT KEY 729 Saint Judes Drive S 2 Cathy Meldahl 941-724-7228 A4488291 $319,000

NOKOMIS/NORTH VENICE 210 Brigantine Way Janet Oberholtzer 484-798-7824 N6114165 $270,000

BRADENTON 840 Audubon Drive 840 Maruta Miluns 941-374-9702 A4496622 $269,000

NORTH FORT MYERS 3460 N Key Drive 218 Ray Rausa 941-228-7614 A4493260 $249,000

VENICE 552 Sheridan Drive Edie Lomason 941-320-6298 N6114525 $240,000

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LONGBOAT KEY 500 Harbor Point Road Jenifer Schwell 941-780-0968 A4491328 $5,595,000

SARASOTA 1300 Benjamin Franklin Drive 1208 Susan Fox & Jonathan Fox, PA 941-544-6648 A4492990 $3,900,000

MSC MORTGAGE | MSC TITLE | MS&C COMMERCIAL NEW HOMES & CONDOMINIUMS

LONGBOAT KEY 531 Harbor Cay Drive Maureen Horn 941-539-3384 A4494952 $3,800,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

MARCH 29-APRIL 2

JOHN RINGLING ESTATES

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

condominium in Orchid Beach Club Residences tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Anthony Bottalla, trustee, of Chicago, sold the Unit D202 condominium at 2052 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Charles Pickney and Brittain Fraser Pinckney, of Tampa, for $4 million. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,697 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.65 million in 2013.

LIDO C

Edward Andrle and JoNe Sundvall, of Cumberland, Wisconsin, sold their home at 1212 Westway Drive to Samuel Robert Swartz and Geraldine Michelle Swartz, of Prior Lake, Minnesota, for $3.8 million. Built in 1956, it has six bedrooms, seven baths, two pools and 4,627 square feet. It sold for $3.35 million in 2019.

11B

REAL ESTATE

Orchid Beach condo sells for $4 million

|

143 Grant Drive LLC sold the home at 143 Grant Drive to Lido 431 LLC for $3.55 million. Built in 2020, it has seven bedrooms, seven-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,514 square feet of living area.

THE WATER CLUB AT LONGBOAT KEY

Jerald and Kathleen Anne Kamiel sold their Unit 401 condominium at 1281 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Kenneth and Susan Press, trustees, of Longboat Key, for $3,485,000. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths and 3,460 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.8 million in 2018.

SLEEPY LAGOON

Colin Close, of Los Angeles, sold his home at 6603 Gulfside Road to Centropol LLC for $2.8 million. Built in 1974, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 3,051 square feet of living area. It sold for $2,217,000 in 2018.

Ash’lee Moats, of Longboat Key, sold her home at 541 Edlee Lane to Jennifer DeRosa, of Madison, Connecticut, for $650,000. Built in 1976, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,664 square feet of living area. It sold for $302,000 in 2013.

SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 12B

TOP BUILDING PERMITS These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of April 2-April in order of dollar amounts.

L O N G B OAT K E Y ADDRESS 1281 GMD #304

PERMIT APPLICANT Interior alterations Irene K. Hess

AMOUNT $511,000

3300 GMD

Parking Structure Longboat Arms and shed Association

$475,000

3010 Grand Bay Blvd #436

Interior alterations Alan R. Siegel Trust

$135,000

3305 Sabal Cove Circle Interior alterations Buck and Judith E. Mitchell

$125,000

4410 Exeter Drive Unit 203

Interior alterations Thomas A. Drugan

1115 GMD #502

Interior alterations Phillip Jon Gillespie

$65,345

759 St. Judes Drive N.

Seawall

$63,800

1125 GMD #305

Doors and windows David J. Lehman

$62,214

1075 GMD #505

Doors and windows Anne M. Seeley TTEE

$59,765

7135 La Lenaire Drive

Plumbing

$59,000

1055 GMD #201

Doors and windows Robert and Lorene Moran $56,656

1125 GMD #301

Doors and windows Adam Esham

$56,656

1105 GMD #104

Doors and windows Steven A. Singer

$54,916

1055 GMD #501

Doors and windows Kirit C. Patel

$54,507

1095 GMD #505

Doors and windows Ronald S. Cohen

$53,837

1115 GMD #304

Doors and windows John A. Gloriod

$45,658

2850 GMD

Re-roof

1281 GMD #405

Interior alterations James J. Milano

$45,000

1135 GMD #3103

Doors and windows Jay David Goodman

$43,857

863 Spanish Drive S.

Rebuilding wall

$43,698

1135 GMD #305

Doors and windows Fred J. Brinkman

Mr. Damm

Halcyon Shores LLC

$42,468

1075 GMD #303 Doors and windows Raymond and Denise Schweda

$42,468

1145 GMD #102

Doors and windows Jan S. Peakes

$42,468

1065 GMD #202

Doors and windows Paul Blake

$42,468

1095 GMD #102

Doors and windows William E. Ganley

$42,468

1105 GMD #102

Doors and windows David S. Buyher TTEE

$42,468

1145 GMD #103

Doors and windows Mike and Michelle Mckee $42,468

1065 GMD #104

Doors and windows Bonnie Berner

$42,468

1115 GMD #203

Doors and windows Dean E. Kross

$42,468

538 Norton St.

Seawall

$42,420

H. Lee Flower

In with the new SALES GALLERY OPEN

WATERFRONT HOMES & HOMESITES

$91,900

Neptune on Longboat Key $45,500

Doris P. Koczko

Courtesy photo

Unit D202 at 2052 Benjamin Franklin Drive was built in 2005. It has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,697 square feet of living area.

Source: Town of Longboat Key

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

MOVE-IN READY

Downtown Sarasota Risdon on 5th | 941.365.1414 From the high $300,000s RisdonOn5th.com

Bradenton Riverfront Riverside Point | 941.201.8505 Home sites from $229,900 | Homes from the low $600,000s RiversidePointFlorida.com

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Northwest Bradenton Palma Sola Bay Club | 941.216.7436 From the high $300,000s PalmaSolaBayClub.com

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

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

WWW.MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM/NEW-HOMES | 844.591.4333 | SARASOTA, FLORIDA 355166-1

Prices as of February 2021.

Licensed Real Estate Broker

|

Real estate FROM PAGE 11B L’AMBIANCE AT LONGBOAT KEY CLUB

Michael and Temple Brookshire, trustees, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, sold the Unit L-707 condominium at 435 L’Ambiance Drive to Kenneth Edgar Jr. and Denise Harvey, of Weston, Connecticut, for $2,399,000. Built in 1994, it has two bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,385 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,935,000 in 2016.

BEACHPLACE

JMBC Holdings LLC sold the Unit 106 condominium at 1055 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Teresa Ramallo, of Bradenton, for $2,201,000. Built in 1981, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,819 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.64 million in 2019.

SANCTUARY AT LONGBOAT KEY CLUB

Helene Cohen Romine and Karl Douglas Romine, trustees, of Longboat Key, sold the Unit B-405 condominium at 535 Sanctuary Drive to Hancor Properties LLC for $1.91 million. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,590 square feet of living area.

It sold for $1.4 million in 2015.

SABAL COVE

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

Myrna Blume, of Longboat Key, sold her home at 3302 Sabal Cove Lane to Adam Waller, of Longboat Key, for $1,875,000.

Built in 1996, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,993 square feet of living area.

BEACH WALK

Richard and Nancy Hahn, of McMurray, Pennsylvania, sold their Unit 15 condominium at 6837 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Debra Herschmann, of Englewood, New Jersey, for $1.53 million. Built in 1991, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,392 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,225,000 in 2004.

LONGBEACH

Mauro and Laura Harto, of Longboat Key, sold their home at 7149 Longboat Drive N. to John Richard Exley III, of Longboat Key, for $1.15 million. Built in 1967, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,616 square feet of living area. It sold for $460,000 in 2016.

FAIRWAY BAY

Robert Caputo, trustee, sold the Units 344/345 condominium at 2016 Harbourside Drive to John Edgeworth, trustee, of Bloomington Indiana, for $1.1 million. Built in 1984, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,462 square feet of living area. It sold for $630,000 in 2020.

Andrew and Kristen Johnson, of Maitland, sold their Unit 122 condominium at 1930 Harbourside Drive to Diane Baez, of Longboat Key, for $579,000.

Built in 1982, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,192 square feet of living area. It sold for $311,000 in 2020.

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BIRD KEY

Jeffrey and Anne Mohl, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the home at 241 Bird Key Drive to Frank Joseph Creede and Janice Rosalie Creede, trustees, of Rancho Santa Fe, California, for $990,000. Built in 1962, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,639 square feet of living area. It sold for $590,000 in 2015.

LONGBOAT HARBOUR TOWERS

Marilyn Davol, trustee, of Longboat Key, sold the Unit 1007 condominium at 4401 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Michele Moore, trustee, of Traverse City, Michigan, for $795,000. Built in 1972, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,314 square feet of living area. It sold for $675,000 in 2020.

SLEEPY LAGOON PARK

The Bank of New York Mellon, trustee, sold the home at 501 De Naravaez Drive to Longboat Breeze LLC for $610,000. Built in 1972, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,704 square feet of living area. It sold for $275,000 in 2000.

GRAND BAY

Perry and Wendy Gould, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 526 condominium at 3080 Grand Bay Blvd. to Sandra Burchette Fisher, of Longboat Key, for $600,000. Built in 1996, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,270 square feet of living area. It sold for $615,000 in 2014.

CEDARS WEST OF LONGBOAT

Pinecrest Associates sold the Unit 104 condominium at 5655

Gulf of Mexico Drive to Shaheen Kozlowski LLC for $585,000.

Built in 1975, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,274 square feet of living area. It sold for $175,000 in 1989.

burgh, for $450,000. Built in 1976, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,213 square feet of living area. It sold for $155,000 in 1990.

LIDO HARBOUR TOWERS

Vincent Cavallo, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, sold his Unit 225 condominium at 100 Sands Point Road to Matthew Greer Brittain, of Sarasota, for $425,000. Built in 1966, it has one bedroom, two baths and 1,492 square feet of living area. It sold for $155,000 in 1990.

John Pasquale Cugasi, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 402 condominium at 1770 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Zeina El-Chemali, of Boston, for $548,000.

Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,207 square feet of living area. It sold for $535,000 in 2015.

LIDO REGENCY

Josephine Luceno, of Harrison, New York, sold her Unit 2-G condominium at 1700 Benjamin Franklin Drive to John and Kimberly Anne Pluck, of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, for $511,000. Built in 1968, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,382 square feet of living area. It sold for $102,000 in 1996.

THE RINGLING

Deborah Beckman, of Manhasset, New York, sold her home at 624 Saint Judes Drive to Gregory Sinnamond, of McMurray, Pennsylvania, for $455,000. Built in 1957, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,201 square feet of living area. It sold for $208,000 in 2013.

LIDO SURF AND SAND

Stephen King Jr. and Joann King, trustees, of Woodbury, Connecticut, sold the Unit 512 condominium at 1102 Benjamin Franklin Drive to David and Corrine Dibenedetto, of Pitts-

•Interested in moving to a condo downtown?

•Purchasing a home on the water?

•Perhaps a home in a golf course community?

SANDS POINT

SAINT JUDES DRIVE

Rhiannon Aubrey, of Bradenton, Joshua Lavire, of Spring, Texas, and Andrea Wisby, of Bradenton, sold their home at 759 Saint Judes Drive N. to LB Key LLC for $420,000. Built in 1963, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,080 square feet of living area.

CEDARS EAST

Graham and Lynne Cherrington, of Atlanta, sold their Unit 41 condominium at 803 Evergreen Way to Patty Brusse, of Ellicott City, Maryland, for $410,000.

Built in 1991, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,440 square feet of living area. It sold for $260,000 in 2016.

SPANISH MAIN YACHT CLUB

Leland and Nancy Lowe, of Lake Suzy, sold their Unit 212 condominium at 703 Spanish Drive S. to Terry and Charlene Cooke, trustees, of St. Louis, for $315,000. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,322 square feet of living area. It sold for $106,000 in 2011.

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12B

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

FORECAST

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

High: 76 Low: 71 Chance of rain: 18%

SATURDAY, APRIL 17 High: 77 Low: 72 Chance of rain: 17%

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, April 15

7:06a 7:55p

Friday, April 16

7:05a

7:56p

Saturday, April 17

7:04a

7:56p

Sunday, April 18

7:03a

7:57p

Monday, April 19

7:02a

7:57p

Tuesday, April 20

7:01a

7:58p

Wednesday, April 21

7:00a

7:58p

MOON PHASES

SUNDAY, APRIL 18 High: 78 Low: 70 Chance of rain: 24%

May 3 Last

TIDES

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.

13B

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

SUNRISE / SUNSET

FRIDAY, APRIL 16

Patricia Muller captured this popular fishing spot for multiple sea birds on Longboat Key.

|

May 11 New

May 19 First

Highs

May 26 Full

Lows

Thursday, April 15

3:28a

1:42p

8:04a 10:05p

Friday, April 16

4:26a

2:13p

8:16a 10:55p

Saturday, April 17

5:54a 2:49p

8:12a

11:55p

—

—

Sunday, April 18

—

3:33p

Monday, April 19

—

4:31p 1:06a —

Tuesday, April 20

—

5:56p

2:18a

—

Wednesday, April 21 10:53a 7:38p

3:21a

2:34p

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WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON? by Jacob Stulberg; Edited by David Steinberg

©2021 Universal Uclick

ACROSS 1 Home of the NCAA’s Hurricanes 6 Network based in London 9 Go up and down 12 Shows respect, in a way 16 Gaming destination 18 Rest ___ (road trip stop) 20 Tuna type 21 Lag behind 22 *Golfer Bubba 23 *Antagonistic pair from detective fiction 26 “Dear” guys 28 Shaggy grazer 29 Billboard, e.g.

30 Former Texas governor

Richards 33 Bespectacled dwarf 34 Berets and bowlers 36 Low organ part 39 *Antagonistic pair from DC comics 45 *Bird symbolizing spring 47 Inscribe 48 Unlock 49 Affordable furniture chain 51 Desirable bond rating 52 London neighborhood 53 Heap 55 Like chewy apricots 56 Far from flabby 57 With 75-Across, interpersonal advice depicted four

times in this puzzle?

62 Reunion attendee, for short 63 Forecast extremes 64 Magical marks 65 Dog with long white hair 68 All alternative 69 Supplied with steam, say 72 Hawaiian veranda 73 Rink leap 74 Parched 75 See 57-Across 83 Keeps out 84 Shapes, as clay 85 Hurdle for a future J.D. 86 Beehive State natives 88 Self-study concept?

89 It’s sometimes played with elephants 90 Group such as Cream 92 Plant with trendy seeds 93 *Playwright Pirandello 96 *Antagonistic pair from Nintendo games 101 John Quincy ___ 103 Lovers’ squabble 104 Palindromic night 105 Org. that issues important cards 106 Blacken, perhaps 108 “Lovecraft Country” network 109 Word after “field” or “stretch”

111 *Antagonistic pair from a sitcom 118 *Name before or after “vs.,” in a 1979 film title 122 Like kites that can fly without wind 123 Nickname hidden in “lava lamp” 124 ___ market (swap meet’s kin) 12 “Play one last song!”

126 Ibuprofen target 127 Noob’s opposite 128 Swarm 129 Repaired, like a rip DOWN 1 It might be gaping 2 Long-term investment letters 3 Stop dilly-dallying 4 Body ___ index 5 Excited response to “Who wants candy?”

6 Cry before “Humbug!”

7 Frat guy 8 Picture of Pluto, say?

9 Lounge in the sun 10 Volt/ampere 11 Dating site data 12 Marlon of “The Godfather” 13 Galley propeller 14 Wisecracking sort 15 Crafty 17 Energy company in 2001 headlines 19 “The Valley of Amazement” author 21 Hobbes, in “Calvin and Hobbes” 24 Right on the map?

25 Tear 27 Chem., for one 30 Mimics 31 Verboten 32 Specialized market 34 Bouncing off the walls 35 “The Simpsons” grandpa 37 Otter’s food 38 Made a connection (with) 40 Loafer or sneaker 41 What’s raised during some arguments?

42 Bogs down 43 Similar (to)

44 More than want 46 Holly and Jasmine 50 Free app woes 53 Gomer of ‘60s TV 54 Poker pot promises 55 South Asian festival of lights 56 Talk while intoxicated 58 Cookout spot 59 Moves a muscle?

60 Composer Ned 61 Words to live by 65 Nicaragua’s capital 66 Humanoid robot 67 Presents in detail, with “out” 69 Reject 70 Marine predator 71 Go limp 72 Categorize 73 Slashed conjunction 76 MLB figure in a mask 77 Dormitory division 78 Eponymous 1969 Fitzgerald album 79 Playwright T.S. 80 Use a straw 81 Cultural spirit 82 Leader’s “handful” 87 It’s a long story 90 Fill to capacity 91 Nutritional abbr.

94 Certain meter reader 95 “That is ...”

97 Book ID 98 Makeshift pub stool 99 Bring to mind 100 Desires, with “for” 102 ___ Salvador 107 Request to a guest, briefly 108 Biggest city on Hawaii’s Big Island 110 Frilly material 111 Siesta 112 Green of “Casino Royale” 113 2006 Nintendo release 114 Organ with tiny bones 115 Boston’s Liberty Tree was one 116 Lion constellation 117 Bit of goop 119 Cut, as grass 120 Before, in poetry 121 Like some bell peppers

CELEBRITY CIPHER

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“HYK GCDM KEW HWM OCFWCMW WROW TUZW VCY. MC CMW WZWA GAUSKWG U RPSW DCAKE RPZPMT CM NCAACDWG PMX.” – IUJX XWACYUJ

“YMJF K SKF TCJN FCP KTSXP PMKP MJ XN KF KFXSKU, MJ XN UJNN PMKF KF KFXSKU. FCP SCWJ GIP

– SXBMKJU SBBUIWJ

UJNN.”

Puzzle Two Clue: M equals H

Sarasota

Puzzle One Clue N equals B

349214-1

SAVE ON SELECT COLORS & STYLE

© 2021 NEA, Inc.

SUDOKU

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

©2021 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

04-15-21

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

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peekers’ place You’re only cheating yourself.

Puzzle Two Solution: “When a man does not admit that he is an animal, he is less than an animal. Not more but less.”

Jack Kerouac Michael McClure

This week’s “Put down the pen someone else gave Celebrity Cipher you. No one ever drafted a life worth living on borrowed ink.” answers This week’s Crossword answers

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Puzzle One Solution:

Condos/Apts. for Rent

This week’s Sudoku answers

Located in the Resort at Longboat Key Club

WANTED- LBK Beachfront Condo Searching for LBK updated oceanfront condo to rent. 2BR/2Ba with heated pool, tennis court. No pets, non smoking quiet complex.

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Condos/Apts. for Sale GOLDEN GATE POINT: Beautiful 2BR/1BA, top floor, end unit, remodeled kitchen and bathroom, polished Terrazzo floors, peek-a-boo views of bay from every room, For Sale: $332,900.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

Coldwell Banker Realty Congratulates

THE ACKERMAN GROUP #

#

1

Coldwell Banker Realty Small Team in Florida Again for 2020

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Coldwell Banker Realty Small Team in North America

RYAN ACKERMAN ryan@ackermangroup.net

BARBARA ACKERMAN barbara@ackermangroup.net

CALL THE ACKERMAN GROUP 941.387-1820

PROPERTIES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE JUST LISTED

SIESTA KEY | BEACHFRONT $4,495,000 SARASOTA | WEST OF TRAIL $18,000,000 8,452 SF, 230’ of Unobstructed Waterfront Gulf-front estate | 4BR/5.5BA | 5,239 SF Harbor Acres Direct Bay Front 107 Ocean Place MLS# A4491997 | 1309vistadrive.com

THE Q | DOWNTOWN $1,795,000 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths townhouse | 3,920 SF 267 Cosmopolitan Court MLS# A4485780

OYSTER BAY ESTATES $2,595,000 New construction 4BR/4BA/2HB 1421 N. Lake Shore Drive MLS# A4487508

SOUTH SARASOTA $1,090,000 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths | 2,401 SF 5329 Palos Verdes Drive MLS # A4495878

$42 Million IN CLOSED SALES 1ST QUARTER 2021 THE ACKERMAN GROUP

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Flip the page for more sales and specials!

BRIDGE April 2021 Issue

Quarterly Member Magazine

From the CEO Page 2

New Team Members Page 6

New in Membership

100 YEARS

Pages 12-13

Leadership Sarasota Pages 14-15

THE CENTENNIAL MURALS Pages 8-9

Click here to Read the April 2021 BRIDGE Magazine: https://issuu.com/greatersarasotachamber/docs/2021_april_bridge_magazine

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