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Observer Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978

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VOLUME 38, NO. 46

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

$20 million: Not in pipeline The town can hold off on replacing its wastewater force main — for now. SEE PAGE 2 YOUR TOWN

CAFÉ CULTURE

Café L’Europe will change owners, but not traditions in August.

SEE PAGE 7

File photo

Kip O’Neill

O’Neill: Thankful and on the mend Longboat Key resident Kip O’Neill was struck by an SUV while crossing the street May 20, in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. She suffered massive injuries and feels lucky to be alive.

Although the accident happened far away, O’Neill received kind wishes from many of her Longboat Key friends. Although she doesn’t yet have the energy to acknowledge each gesture individually, she wants to share her gratitude.

“I have received literally hundreds of cards, letters, gifts, flowers and prayers from the people of Longboat Key, which have sustained me and comforted me through this time of pain and healing,” she said.

TURTLE TRACKS WEEK OF JUNE 12-18:

Nests False Crawls

Kristen Herhold

Café L’Europe owner Betsie Coolidge sold the restaurant to Ron Milton for an undisclosed amount. The sale will be final Aug. 1.

Post-Colin: Plenty of sand ... in the sea ALEX MAHADEVAN NEWS INNOVATION EDITOR

2016 2015 129 73 136 117

TOTAL, AS OF JUNE 18:

2016 2015 Nests 441 355 False Crawls 426 279 Longboat Key numbers Source: Mote Marine Laboratory

Although dry beaches on Longboat Key lost about 20 feet of sand on average due to Tropical Storm Colin, town officials say there’s still plenty of sand in the coastal system.

Last Wednesday, Town Manager Dave Bullock was scouting the damage to beaches following the storm near the North Shore

Road beach access, and he noticed something peculiar.

A man was fishing about 80 feet from the shore, from a newly formed sandbar, and dozens of beachgoers were wading through a freshly carved channel near two groins built last year.

Bullock said the scene showed that while Tropical Storm Colin may have washed away

TROUBLEINPARADISE Poachers are on the prowl in H. Terrell Griffin’s ‘Trouble in Paradise.’

SEE PAGE 14

SEE PAGE 4

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

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Study flushes $20 million project from budget The island’s sole sewage force main to Manatee County has at least 20 more years of use, according to a study, but future issues remain in the pipeline.

ALEX MAHADEVAN NEWS INNOVATION EDITOR

Longboat Key could avoid significant sewer rate increases over the next few years, thanks to a study that suggests delaying a utility project estimated to cost nearly $20 million by as much as 25 years.

But the town still has myriad long-term issues — including the impacts of the proposed 1,300acre Lake Flores and 524-acre Aqua by the Bay developments

planned for the mainland — to address about the future of its sole wastewater pipe, which pumps sewage to a treatment plant in Manatee County.

“We’re going to need to give this some careful thought,” said Town Manager Dave Bullock during a regular commission workshop Monday.

Consultant Greely & Hansen had just revealed the results of a six-month study of the 4-mile pipeline, half of which runs directly under Sarasota Bay. The Town Commission asked for the study in December, and staff originally expected the pipe would need to be replaced immediately to eliminate the risk of the worst-case scenario: a complete shutdown, which could necessitate using dump trucks to haul sewage off of the island.

However, the study showed the force main is in good condition and not in danger of failure because no leaks or severely corroded areas were found during the analysis.

“The likelihood of catastrophic failure of the pipe is low,” Bullock said. “If something’s going to fail, we’re probably going to get a small leak — which is repairable.”

Key resident and mechanical engineer Lenny Landau, who questioned the town’s plans to replace the pipeline, was not surprised by the firm’s conclusion.

“I believe that the data provided would support a much longer life and that inspections every five years be conducted to provide a basis to update the remaining life on a regular basis,” Landau wrote in a June 16 email to the Long-

boat Observer. “In any event, it is clear that the estimated $17 million to $25 million will not be required in the near term, which is great news considering the other major capital projects planned.”

Landau has been studying the pipe in his spare time for nearly a decade and urged the town to conduct the analysis before replacing the pipe.

To perform the study, the firm ran a “smart ball” to search for inconsistencies within the pipe through the sewage system earlier this year. Subcontracted divers measured the thickness in the pipe using an underwater ultrasonic gauge, as well, among other methods.

“That little ball you used — can I keep that?” Mayor Jack Duncan asked. The consultant joked that it would cost him $500,000. “After what you did to it, I didn’t think it’d be worth that.”

Although the finding will remove the $19.9 million capital project from the town’s $93.5 million capital budget for Fiscal 2017, staff and commissioners will have difficult decisions to make when considering the pipe’s replacement in the future, thanks to two mixed-use projects proposed on top of the current route.

The proposed mixed-use developments of Lake Flores and Aqua by the Bay — formerly Long Bar Point — are work-

ing through Manatee County’s development process. While both projects are at least three years away from breaking ground, their construction would preclude the town from using the same route for a replacement wastewater pipe.

“The challenges are somewhat significant for maintaining this route,” Bullock said.

Costs would likely rise for any other route because the town would have to secure new easements to do the drilling. Moving the route north would require a contractor to stage construction north of the Longboat Pass Bridge. With the current configuration, the contractor could do so at the edge of Joan Durante Park.

Town staff will now analyze whether to put a redundant pipe in place at the site of the two developments, so in the case of a wastewater pipe replacement, it could be hooked up on the same efficient route. Staff will also consider whether the 25-year lifespan could be extended through maintenance.

Commissioner Phill Younger praised Greely & Hansen.

“I think you demonstrated to us that you can indeed do preventative checks and preventative maintenance on this pipe and (did so) very thoroughly and professionally,” Younger said.

“The challenges are somewhat significant for maintaining this route.”

— Town Manager Dave Bullock

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

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TOWN BREAKS GROUND ON BAYFRONT PARK Save the date: June 20, 2017.

That’s when the town hopes to complete long-awaited Bayfront Park upgrades.

COMMUNITY CENTER CHRONOLOGY Early 2003 — Citizens began circulating a petition in support of a proposed community center.

ALEX MAHADEVAN NEWS INNOVATION EDITOR

March 2003 — The Longboat Key Town Commission voted to create a citizens committee to explore the idea of a community center at Bayfront Park.

W

hen Longboat Key Streets, Facilities and Parks and Recreation Manager Mark Richardson looks at the 900-foot chainlink fence surrounding Bayfront Park, he sees a sign of progress.

It means a $3.5 million upgrade to the park will soon be a reality.

“The fence going up means we’ve got it, the money’s in place, everything’s in place, and this is actually going to happen,” said Richardson, who has watched as town leaders and staff planned the revamp of the park for most of his 10 years on Longboat Key. “To me, being a true recreation guy, that’s exciting.”

Contractor Jon F. Swift Construction, the private construction manager for the project, began putting the chain-link fence up last week and has also installed a 2-foot-tall black silt fence to block runoff, the first step in the estimated year-long revitalization. But state and federal permitting remains the last big hurdle for Bayfront Park.

Richardson and Jon F. Swift Construction have secured treeremoval and fence permits from the town. But the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers still have to sign off on the plans, which include a kayak launch, dog park, fishing docks and a rain garden for stormwater runoff.

“Everybody told me those take long, and I found out really it does take that long,” Richardson said, noting he should hear from the FDEP this week about that permit.

Jon F. Swift can tear down the fence around the aging baseball field and begin removing or relocating trees but won’t be able to start significant site work until the FDEP permit is secured.

“That’s the most important permit because it allows us to turn dirt,” Richardson said.

Still, residents who have been vocal about the project getting started, such as former Longboat Key Garden Club President Madelyn Spoll, are pleased to see progress at Bayfront Park. In fact, because the construction wasn’t supposed to officially begin until Tuesday, the fences rising are a sign the project is about a week ahead.

“After I heard about it, and after (my husband) picked me up off the floor from shock, I said, ‘Yay, miracles are real,’” said Spoll.

And the permitting shouldn’t affect the overall timeline, which has completion slated for June 20, 2017.

The price tag for the project has bounced between $3 million and $4 million over the last two years, and one of the first major delays came after Town Manager Dave Bullock halted planning to reign in spending estimates last March.

Richardson said although it was unlikely, unknowns — for example, if contractors were to dig in and find multiple tree stumps — along with other uncertain fac-

November 2003 — The Community Center Advisory Committee recommended a $5.9 million concept plan for Bayfront Park with a new, 19,500-square-foot building.

March 2004 — Longboat Key voters rejected the issuance of a $6.4 million bond for a community center via referendum vote.

Alex Mahadevan

TAKE YOUR PICKLEBALL Town Manager Dave Bullock and his city manager colleagues have seen a sport grow in popularity in recent years: pickleball.

Soon, that sport will have a home at the new, improved Bayfront Park.

“I’m anxious to see what happens at the pickleball court,” Bullock said. “I hear more people talking about seeing a transition from tennis to pickleball.”

The growing sport combines elements of badminton and pingpong and serves as a lower-intensity alternative to tennis.

Often described as “the fastest-growing sport in America,” it’s played with a paddle and a plastic ball on a court similar to one used for tennis, though lined differently.

The town lined its current tennis courts for the sport, though Longboat Key Streets, Facilities and Parks and Recreation Manager Mark Richardson couldn’t comment on how much use they got from pickleballers because his office isn’t at the recreation center.

When the town finishes its $3.5 million plan to revitalize the park, it will have two pickleball courts next to two new tennis courts.

“I actually had people ask if that was the right ratio,” Bullock said.

Longboat Key Streets, Facilities and Parks and Recreation Manager Mark Richardson is overseeing construction of Bayfront Park for the town.

WASTE NOT

Town Manager Dave Bullock

tors could add to the current $3.5 million estimate.

“Any project you do, whether it’s building your own house or building a park, you’re going to come into some unforeseen things you weren’t planning for,” Richardson said. “And you just deal with it and move on.”

The town and Sarasota County, which owns a parcel adjacent to the park, have partnered to fund improvements, with about $2 million coming from county coffers. The West Coast Inland Navigation District also provided a $400,000.

“They (the county) recognize they own part of the park, and they want to make a nice amenity for everyone, especially the people who live here,” Bullock said.

Richardson said residents seem especially excited about the dog park.

“Some people don’t even realize there’s going to be a dog park here,” Richardson said. “And that’s going to be a great feature we have nowhere else on the Key.” Along with previously mentioned amenities, the project will loop the roadway through the park and connect twice at Gulf of Mexico drive, so visitors will have more than one entrance.

There will also be tennis courts, shuffleboard courts, a basketball court and space for pickleball.

(See sidebar, left.)

“Wait until you see how it looks when the fence comes down,” Richardson said. “This is going to transform into a great park for residents and visitors alike.”

When contractor Jon F. Swift Construction begins tearing up Bayfront Park during its $3.5 million revitalization, two fixtures won’t be headed right to the dump.

The firm is donating a set of bleachers to the city of Sarasota for its Robert L. Taylor Community Complex. Jon F. Swift is also managing a series of upgrades for that facility. “(Project Manager) Ross Russo had his ear to the ground in knowing the city of Sarasota did desire bleachers,” said Emmalee Legler, marketing manager for the construction company. “But it wasn’t in the scope or budget for that project.”

Also, the firm is moving the Bayfront Park playground equipment to Parrish United Methodist Church in Parrish, which couldn’t afford new play equipment after it got rid of its former set due to age and deterioration.

“It’s not traditional for construction managers to think about this, or be creative in this way,” Legler said. “That’s something we try to do not only for cost savings but to create relationships within our community.”

Bayfront Park will receive new playground equipment.

March 2007 — Sarasota County finalized the purchase of the 3.88-acre Albritton property located adjacent to Bayfront Park Recreation Center.

May 2009 — The town and Sarasota County created a new park concept with input from residents.

May 2011 — The commission voted to hire a design professional to combine the 2003 facility design with the 2009 park plan into a single prospectus plan.

October 2013 — An Urban Land Institute panel recommended upgrading amenities at Bayfront Park but suggested placing a future community/ cultural center in a town center in the Bay Isles area.

June 2015 — Sarasota County approved a request from the town for $2 million for park improvements.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

Dry beaches on the Key lost an average of 20 feet of sand, but town officials say there’s still plenty of sand in the sea.

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chunks of dry beach along the island’s shorelines, the sand is still in the overall shore system.

In fact, after Tropical Storm Debby in 2012, a similar sand shift occurred, and in several months, the shoal had drifted back to the mainland.

“Storms take away beach, there’s no question about that,” Bullock said. “But you always want to be a little patient after a storm and give nature time to redistribute the sand.”

Tropical Storm Colin traveled through the Gulf of Mexico June 6, creating at least 4 feet of storm surge that flooded dozens of streets in Longbeach Village and on the north end. With the town

in the midst of the $10 million mid-Key truck haul, the rough surf churned up the newly placed sand.

“This was a light storm,” Bullock said. “We had pretty heavy wave action, and it was kinda fun looking at it, but it wasn’t Category 3 winds and 7-foot storm surge and all of that.”

Public Works Director Juan Florensa trudged along the same beach Friday, informally surveying the loss of sand.

“You can’t throw a frisbee there, you can’t play with your kids there, and you can’t play volleyball there,” Florensa said, motioning toward the new sandbar. “And you certainly can’t lay a towel there.”

Although he acknowledges the loss of some recreational use of the public beach, he said that the main purpose of a hearty beach is to protect the infrastructure on land, such as the 360 North condominium complex on North Shore Road, which doesn’t have a seawall. But with groins holding a 100-foot-wide beach in place, the area wasn’t inundated during the storm.

The town’s mid-Key truck haul is nearly complete as a contractor dumps fresh sand into the Gulf of Mexico to reclaim a shoreline.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

TOWN OFFICIALS PRAISE GROIN PERFORMANCE TOWN MOVES CLOSER TO DREDGING PASSES

Photos by Alex Mahadevan

Public Works Director Juan Florensa surveys the sand near the two groins on the north end of the Key.

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renourishment project, though about 25 feet of beach width has disappeared and formed a sandbar about 150 yards offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.

“The storm was not quite as bad as we thought it might be,” said Lisa Gilford, manager of Sun ’n Sea Cottages & Apartments, which received some of the 200,000 cubic yards of new sand. “We lost some sand, but not nearly as much as we thought we would.”

Even in the new sandbar, the sand will still serve its main purpose, Bullock said, because

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there is an entire dune system of sand that slows wave action as it approaches the shoreline.

“They’re like speed bumps,” Florensa said. “There’s still plenty of sand in the system.”

Sand that hasn’t disappeared into the gulf or formed sandbars has likely moved south along the coastline and will deposit along other Longboat beaches, Bullock said. Or it could flow south to Lido Key. “Nature wants to move that river of sand,” Bullock said. “She’s always done it and is not going to stop.”

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“The beach performed its first duty, which is to protect,” Florensa said, noting it may have lost about 20 feet in width. “If there was no sand there, the water would have been up into the building.”

Farther south, a sea turtle nest marked with stakes June 16, sat in front of the new Infinity condominium on sand delivered during the mid-Key truck haul. It’s a reminder of the environmental duty the beach performs, serving as a nesting ground for turtles, Florensa said.

It also indicates that there is still sand remaining from the summer

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Town procurement staff has chosen Norfolk Dredging Co. to mine sand from New Pass and Longboat Pass later this year.

Following a challenge from another firm, the town put the project out for bidding again, and Norfolk submitted a $5 million estimate for the project — $1.5 million less than its prior bid.

“In this case, I don’t think it’s going to be an issue,” Florensa said.

Additionally, an emergency truck haul aimed at shoring up the eroding beach in front of the Resort at Longboat Key Club is slated to begin in early to mid-September. Commissioners OK’d plans to piggyback that project with Olsen Associate Inc. and Earth Tech Enterprises Inc.’s contract for hauling sand mid-Key earlier this month.

Town staff is working to secure agreements with owners on the south end to use their streets during the haul.

On June 12, Longbeach Village resident Gene Jaleski sent an email to Mayor Jack Duncan with criticism of two north-end groins following Tropical Storm Colin.

Among his comments, he noted the sand loss south of the south groins and the potential erosion of the west end of Beer Can Island.

“Perhaps the best solution and least costly in the long run is to remove the groins and institute fixedcost continuous sand recycling and construct a functioning jetty at the inlet channel, as is done at several other inlets in Florida,” Jaleski wrote.

However, both Town Manager Dave Bullock and Public Works Director Juan Florensa praised the two sand-saving devices’ performance, noting that the $2 million structures at the popular public beach access completely protected the 360 North condominium complex.

The structures trapped the sand in place and did not allow water to breach the upland structures, despite absence of a seawall at the location.

“I’m pleased that the groins did very, very well,” Florensa said. “Not withstanding what people might say.”

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

Commissioners balk at shifting sand funds ALEX MAHADEVAN NEWS INNOVATION EDITOR

Town Manager Dave Bullock has been hoarding about $1.5 million.

The funds Bullock is hoarding are surtax funds. He could start spending the money soon, but where it will go remains in flux.

Bullock was hoping to earmark that money for the $4.5 million in capital costs staff expects the town’s public safety departments will need in the coming years. But during a budget workshop Monday, commissioners balked at transferring the revenue — which comes from sales tax dollars currently slated for beach renourishment — for public safety.

Bullock asked commissioners to transfer the funds from beach management to public safety to take pressure off the general fund, from which the town plans to spend more than $750,000 in the next fiscal year on everything from new outboard motors for police boats at a total cost of $33,000 to $315,000 for a new ambulance. General fund dollars come from property taxes, rather than sales taxes.

“You pay it with the sales tax or with property taxes,” Finance Director Sue Smith said. “Those are the only two choices.”

But commissioners would rather see the $750,000 for public safety come from the general fund.

Commissioners balked at a $2.6 million estimate for the future remodel or replacement of the south fire station and worried

PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY SPENDING 2017

$204,000

2018

$2.6 million*

2019

$50,000

2020

$0

2021

$0 $0

$500,000

$1.5 million

$2.5 million

*Fire station replacement/refurbishment

PUBLIC SAFETY VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT SPENDING 2017

$825,000*

2018

$110,000

2019

$70,000

2020

$445,000*

2021

$128,000 $0

$200,000 $400,000 $600,000 $800,000 $1 million

*New ambulance needed

that having extra funding available could influence spending decisions.

“Money likes to be spent,” Commissioner Phill Younger said.

Commissioners requested more information from staff before making a decision.

Even without the fire station project, the town could spend more than $1.8 million on other public safety-centric items over the next five years.

“I believe you will feel the pain of the combined elements of improvements,” Bullock said.

When Sarasota County doles out its 1% sales tax funds to the Key, that funding falls into one of six categories, including comprehensive beach management and public safety. The town is slated to deplete public safety revenues next year, after which it would have to dip into property taxes.

“The biggest demand is public safety,” Bullock said. “It comes at you in hundreds of thousands of dollar hits.”

Although the town is now undertaking more than $10 million in beach projects and will likely take on more in the future, there are other funding sources for those types of improvements.

In Fiscal 2017, the town will collect $2.8 million in state grants, $685,000 from tourist development taxes and $10.7 million from bond proceeds for beach maintenance.

Bullock said as the town begins looking for sand and doing survey work for its next renourishment, there will certainly be ways to

Shop our

spend the surtax money earmarked for beach maintenance.

“We have plenty of appetite for this in beach (maintenance),” Bullock said. “We’ll spend this many times over.”

GOOD TIMES, TOUGH CHOICES

The town is slated to draw about $41,000 from its reserves to balance its Fiscal 2017 budget. That’s the lowest amount needed to do so in recent memory, said Bullock after the workshop.

But as the fund balance improves, the town must strike a balance between drawing too much from the account or letting it get too healthy. That is, the Town Commission will soon have to decide on a limit for how much the fund can grow.

“It’s a bit of a balancing act,” Bullock said.

The town has a 90-day minimum for the fund balance, which means the account must always have 90 days’ worth of operating costs. The projected ending fund balance for Fiscal 2016 is $5.03 million, which equates to 117 days’ worth.

“I agree with the idea of setting a maximum,” said Vice Mayor Terry Gans.

Commissioner Armando Linde agreed, and Bullock said after the meeting that the Town Commission would next decide on a maximum day count.

“I think thinking (these decisions) through on a sunny day is a better way to set those priorities than when you’re up against a wall,” Bullock said.

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File photo

One of Café L’Europe’s traditions includes decorating for the holiday season.

Café L’Europe will change owners, but not flavor New owner Ron Milton plans to keep the same staff, menu and traditions of the 43-year-old restaurant.

KRISTEN HERHOLD COMMUNITY EDITOR

It’s been a Sarasota institution for 43 years and has groomed some of the area’s most successful chefs and restaurateurs. Now, Café

L’Europe is changing hands.

Last week, owner Betsie Coolidge sold the restaurant to Scene Magazine owner Ron Milton for an undisclosed amount.

The sale will be final Aug. 1.

“He was very persistent and

made me an offer I couldn’t refuse,” Coolidge said. “I didn’t have intentions to sell it.”

Although the restaurant is changing ownership, Milton plans to keep it the same.

“I’ve been after the restaurant for a long time,” Milton said. “It’s something I think is very special to the community. It contains the icon status that it always has for the last 43 years, and I hope I can take it to even another level.”

Titus Letschert and Norbert Goldner opened the restaurant Jan. 21, 1973. It soon became a Sarasota icon.

“Titus and Norbert were both from Europe, where being in the restaurant business is equivalent to being a Fortune 500 owner,” Coolidge said. “It’s a prestigious job. They had the European training and were in New York, and when they came here, they were one step ahead of the old Sarasota.”

Many of the employees of Letschert and Goldner have gone on to become some of Sarasota’s culinary stars, including Michael Garey and Bob Fracalossy, of the Lazy Lobster, Harry Christensen, of Harry’s Continental Kitchens, Ray Arpke, of Euphemia Haye, Bill Herlihy, of Bridge Street Bistro, and J.P. Knaggs, of Bijou Café.

“We called it Titus University,” said Garey, who worked his way up from busboy to general manager during his more than 22 years at the restaurant. “The alumni list reads like a who’s who. I don’t think there’s ever been a lineup like that in the history of the town.”

Goldner eventually left Sarasota to open a Café L’Europe in Palm Beach. Coolidge joined the business when she married Letschert.

She took over the restaurant after Letschert’s death in 2011.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

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File photo

Original Café L’Europe owner Titus Letschert

“I consider it probably the most important place I ever worked,” Arpke, who worked there from 1975 to 1980, said. “There was no place in town doing anything to that caliber.

Norbert and Titus demanded hard work and a high level of ability to produce nothing but your very best. You couldn’t serve an inferior product. You had to strive for perfection.”

When Café L’Europe opened, St. Armands Circle was a nightlife hotspot. Although the Circle has changed, Café L’Europe’s standards have not. Its staples include two servers who have been there since opening day and decadesold menu items.

“Some of the recipes I had are still on the menu there after all these years,” Christensen said. “It was a great experience ... We had good times.”

Christensen hopes any changes aren’t too noticeable.

“Hopefully the new person doesn’t change things around too much,” he said. “It’s a formula that works and has worked for many, many years, and as long as the new person can continue being high quality, have wonderful service and delicious food, he has a business that works.”

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

THE TEMPTATIONS OF ‘OPM’

LONGBOAT

Observer

Longboat Key’s Shakedown Fund is flush with millions of dollars for parks.

Commissioners should resist the urge to splurge with OPM — other people’s money.

T

alk about tempting.

Dangle a pot of government money in front of elected officials or groups of public-minded, do-good citizens, and the outcome is inevitable: That money starts to burn holes in the pot and eventually ends up being spent on things on which it should not be spent.

Let’s hope that doesn’t happen on Longboat Key. But the temptation surely will be great.

We are referring to the town of Longboat Key’s Land Acquisition Fund, what we would otherwise dub the Longboat Key Shakedown Fund. Back in 1980, when Longboat Key was in the early stages of its greatest development boom, town fathers and mothers instituted a shakedown-ransom tax on every development and new residence, based on size and acreage. The money was to be earmarked and used for parks and open space.

Town code 158.017 stipulates that, as a condition of obtaining permits for final development plans, site plans, subdivision plats or issuance of a building permit, every developer is required to deed land to the town; pay a cash fee of equal value of the land; or provide a combination of both to be used for

parks and open space. The basic formula is: 12 acres of land or cash for each potential 1,000 persons residing in the town. If you read the town codes, it’s another Longboat classic: complicated and onerous.

And you wonder why real estate prices are so high here.

Nevertheless, this fund has helped with several park purchases — for example, among others, the acquisition of Quick Point Park; a parcel between Bayfront Park and Pattigeorge’s Restaurant; and, most recently, the $1.5 million acquisition of nearly 3 acres, once known as the Einisman property, next to the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center and Amore by Andrea restaurant.

Town officials and some current and former town commissioners see that 3 acres as a crucial piece to the eventual development of a town center straddling the tiny road between Bank of America and SunTrust Bank from Bay Isles Road to Bay Isles Parkway.

And that’s where this Land Acquisition Fund may come into bigger play.

At present, the fund has about $2.5 million. It received a nice boost when Ocean Properties Ltd. paid its $2.2 million shakedown money for redeveloping and expanding the former Hilton, now known as Zota Beach Resort.

Myths about the AR-15 and bans on weapons As predictable as the sun rising in the east, the busy-body tyrants in Washington unleashed their meddle-inyour-life energies after the Orlando massacre, attempting to stop future killings with more anti-gun laws.

Were it not for the seriousness of the tragedy, the irony of Congress wanting to ban guns or limit ownership of types of guns is that every law that Congress passes comes with a mandate: We must obey their laws at the point of a government gun!

If you disobey many of Congress’ laws, it authorizes some gun-toting Federalissimo to put you under arrest with a gun pointed at your head.

It’s OK for them to carry, but not you.

In any event, much of the past week’s legislative hysteria has focused on banning what everyone calls military assault rifles, the popular AR-15.

But the editors at National Review dispelled a few AR-15 myths that everyone in Congress and all antigun Americans would do well to read.

Forthwith, a few excerpts…

— Matt Walsh

Of all the gun deaths in the United States in a given year, the large majority — 60% or more — are suicides. Of the ones that are homicides, all rifles and shotguns together account for about 4%, and so-called assault rifles account for such a minuscule number of murders that law enforcement agencies do not even keep statistics on them.

The idea that American streets are running with blood because of “assault weapons” is entirely unsupported by the evidence…

The most popular rifle in the United States today is the AR-style rifle, similar though not identical to the Sig Sauer rifle used in the Orlando slaughter. Given how common AR-style rifles are, it is surprising that such weapons are as seldom used in crimes as they are.

But the AR has a way of attracting myths: Contrary to urban lore, the “AR” in the name denotes “Armalite,” the name of the firm that designed the weapon, not “assault rifle.” It is not, contrary to the pronouncements of any number of Hollywood’s fin-

THE AMMO FOR AR-15s AND HUNTING RIFLES AR-15 bullet: Not considered “high-powered” (short/med. range)

(long range)

(short range)

(medium to long range)

The fund could mushroom to more than $10 million over the next five to 10 years if four projects come to fruition: a Floridays hotel on the north end; redevelopment of Whitney Beach Plaza; and redevelopments of the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort and the Islandside portion of the Resort at Longboat Key Club.

Can you imagine — more than $10 million of developer money sitting in an account, with town commissioners salivating over how to spend it?

You can be sure the brain trust of the Longboat Key Foundation is cranking.

As foundation board members envision developing a black box theater on the Einisman property in partnership with the Ringling College of Art and Design, you can imagine a game plan like this: The town purchasing the Longboat Key Center for the Arts property from Ringling and converting it to a park — in exchange for a Ringling theater in a future town center.

Longbeach Village residents have even expressed their desire for the town to purchase the property Floridays Development Co. has in mind for its north-end hotel for park land.

See what we mean? With all that money sitting in a pot, the temptations are many. It’s easy to spend when it’s other people’s money.

est thinkers, a “machine gun” or a “fully automatic” rifle; instead, it is a semi-automatic rifle, meaning that it fires one round each time the trigger is pulled, like a revolver or a duckhunter’s shotgun. There is nothing particularly fast about its rate of fire or remarkable about its accuracy, and, contrary to so many media reports, it is not a “high-powered” rifle, firing, as it does, the .223 Remington or 5.56mm cartridge, which isn’t even powerful enough to be used to hunt deer or similarly sized game legally in most of the United States…

From 1994 through 2004, a federal ban on “assault weapons” was in place, and it had no detectable effect on crime. The independent Task Force on Community Preventative Services found no evidence that the assaultweapon ban prevented any violence.

The National Research Council’s review of the academic literature on the question found that the data “did not reveal any clear impacts on gun violence.” The Justice Department’s own study suggested that any effects of the law were too small to be statistically measured…

Many Americans do in fact have high-powered rifles in their homes: These are the very hunting rifles that the Left always promises it has no intention of going after, but which are far more powerful than .223-chambered AR-style rifles, and many of which operate in the same semi-automatic fashion. It’s rare that anybody is murdered with one.

The fact is that the United States does not have an assault-weapons problem, nor does it have a general gun-control problem. It has a series of interconnected problems related to defective criminal justice practices and a failed mental health system, the collapse of the family and the predictable spiritual crisis belonging to an age of nihilism.

And, most relevant to Orlando, it has the problem of being an open, liberal society rather than a garrison state, which means that its public places will always be vulnerable to terrorism of the sort perpetrated by the ISIS groupie responsible for the Orlando atrocity, whether they use guns and bullets or matches and gasoline.

“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 Editor / CEO / Matt Walsh mwalsh@yourobserver.com Publisher / Lisa Walsh lwalsh@yourobserver.com Chief Digital Officer / Emily Walsh ewalsh@yourobserver.com Executive Editor / Kat Hughes khughes@yourobserver.com Managing Editor / Robin Hartill rhartill@yourobserver.com Community Editor / Kristen Herhold kherhold@yourobserver.com News Innovation Editor / Alex Mahadevan alexm@yourobserver.com Arts + Entertainment Managing Editor / Nick Friedman, nfriedman@yourobserver.com Managing Editor/Design / Nicole Thompson nthompson@yourobserver.com Editorial Designers / Meghan Sasser msasser@yourobserver.com, C.J. Major, cmajor@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 / JP Clayton, jpclayton@yourobserver.com Robyn Didelot, rdidelot@yourobserver.com Beth Jacobson, bjacobson@yourobserver.com Allison Kummery, akummery@yourobserver.com Robert Lewis, blewis@yourobserver.com Suzanne Munroe, smunroe@yourobserver.com Richeal Parisi, rparisi@yourobserver.com Toni Perren, tperren@yourobserver.com Sales Operations Manager / Susan Leedom, sleedom@yourobserver.com Sales Coordinator/Account Manager Lori Downey, ldowney@yourobserver.com Marisa Merlino, mmerlino@yourobserver.com Classified Advertising Sales Executives/ Maureen Hird, mhird@yourobserver.com Director of Creative Services and Information Technology / Kathy Payne, kpayne@yourobserver.com Creative Director / Caleb Stanton, cstanton@yourobserver.com Creative Services Coordinator / Marjorie Holloway, mholloway@yourobserver.com Information Technology Operations Manager / Mike Herndon, mherndon@yourobserver.com Advertising Graphic Designers / Chris Brock, Shawna Polana, Luis Trujillo, Allison Wampole Chief Financial Officer / Laura Keisacker lkeisacker@yourobserver.com Controller / Rafael Labrin, rlabrin@yourobserver.com Office Coordinator-Subscriptions / Donna Condon, dcondon@yourobserver.com

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

JACK DALY DISTRICT 4 TOWN COMMISSIONER, LONGBOAT KEY

Ali’s legacy is not one of peace This is with reference to the glowing comments on Muhammad Ali by Mr. Jim Tarsy, of Bird Key. Mr. Tarsy is entitled to his own opinion, but so am I, and find his description of Ali to be based more on subjective feelings than on facts and logical thinking.

And as Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan said, “You are entitled to your own opinions but not your own facts.”

In my book, Ali was a phony.

Here is a man who makes a living beating opponents to a pulp, but when called to serve his country, he changes his name, becomes a Muslim and renounces violence while continuing to engage in what is probably the most violent sport of all.

As one who gave up some of the best years of my life and risked my life to serve my country in wartime, I find his deliberate evasion of service to be cowardly and disgraceful.

Ali was also a prominent and long time member of an organization called the Nation of Islam, which has maintained a consistent record of antiSemitism since its founding in the 1930s and blamed the Jews for 9/11.

It says a lot about the mainstream press when the New York Times provides about 10 pages and a special section to Ali, while the death of Gordie Howe, the greatest hockey player in history — who did not go around blabbering about being the “greatest” — got one page.

He was a modest champion and a fine person, but that does not count anymore.

Memorial D

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CALL OF THE WILD 9:34 a.m. — 6800 block of Pine Street Suspicious Circumstance: A woman called police to report that she heard what sounded like a man being attacked by a lion or another member of the big cat family. She heard the noises coming from a thicket of mangrove trees.

Officers noted that the woman seemed to have all of her mental faculties and did not appear to be under the influence of any narcotic or prescription drug. Police did not find anyone in need of distress in the mangroves, but an officer did hear a large bull frog making noise.

2020

After my surgery in Atlanta, I recently returned to the Key and, among other things, am catching up on my leisure reading, including your June 9 editorial urging your readers to remember the names of the commissioners, including mine, who voted to ratify the firefighter and EMT personnel contract.

I disagree with your premise that the contract is fiscally imprudent, and I stand by my vote. I felt so strongly about the issue that I arranged to participate in the four-and-ahalf-hour commission hearing just four days after surgery.

First and foremost, the old contract, while well intended to cap the pension liability, had become the only contract in the state to require firefighters and EMT personnel to pay substantially in excess of the 3% required by state law for pensions, thus making Longboat Key’s compensation package uncompetitive for both new hires and the retention of existing personnel, while also adversely impacting morale throughout the fire department.

The ratified contract reduces their pension contributions to 3% in a fiscally responsible way by reducing salaries and addressing the steps, thereby reforming the compensation back to a competitive package

and addressing both personnel competitive and morale concerns. These are the facts.

With respect to the understandable concerns with the exposure to the FRS premiums, I suggest it should be financially manageable for our relatively small fire department, and importantly, they can be addressed in a fiscally responsible way by the consideration of all options in the future by the commission.

In sum, in my opinion, this vote will be remembered as the vote which ensured that the unique, personal and timely services of our firefighters and EMT personnel will continue to contribute to make Longboat Key the special place it is, all in the best interests of our community.

JUNE 12

GANG-FREE TURF 10:35 a.m. — 6600 block of GMD Vandalism: An officer discovered a utility box with a black graffiti tag on it and noticed it matched similar graffiti under the Longboat Pass Bridge. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office analyzed the sign and determined it was not gang-related.

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

Survivor’s Story

MARK GORDON BUSINESS OBSERVER

L

ongtime Sarasota community banker Charlie Murphy, in one sense, could be doing cartwheels in the street for one simple, yet significant metric: Bank of Commerce, the institution he founded in 2000, remains open — the lone survivor from eight other community banks founded in the Sarasota-Manatee market from 1998 to 2000.

“I’m like the old patriarch of community bankers,” says Murphy, 67, an executive with a bank in the region since 1985, when he was named president and CEO of Sun Bank of Sarasota. “I’m having a lot more fun today than six or seven years ago.”

While times are better, Murphy realizes a full-on celebration is premature. Profits, for starters, have been scarce. The bank made $393,000 in 2012, but lost nearly $10 million in 2011 and from 20132015. Run out of a three-story building in downtown Sarasota, just off Main Street, the bank has multiple other obstacles to overcome. The list includes: n CAPITAL LEVELS: The bank has operated under a consent order from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Florida Office of Financial Regulation since March 28, 2011 to raise capital levels. Bank of Commerce, according to the order, had 60 days to raise its Tier 1 capital level to at least 8% and its total riskbased capital level to at least 12%.

But through March 31, according to FDIC data, the bank had a Tier 1 capital level of 3.83%, or $5.83 million and a total risk-based capital of 7.01%.

OFR officials declined to comment on the specifics of the Bank of Commerce order or why the bank hasn’t been sanctioned for noncompliance, citing confidentiality rules. It’s unusual, but not unheard of, for a bank to remain open after failing to meet a capital order, says industry analyst Ben Bishop, with Jacksonville-based Allen C. Ewing & Co. “During the downturn, (regulators) were

Bank of Commerce has a unique tale — so far — in recession survival. Will it have a happy ending?

Photo by Mark Wemple

Charlie Murphy launched Bank of Commerce in Sarasota in 2000. He has run community banks in the region since 1985.

tough and shut down probably some more banks than they should of. Now they tend to give survivors some more latitude to work it out,” says Bishop. n NONPERFORMING ASSETS:

The bank had $13.7 million in nonperforming assets through December, according to FDIC data — down from a recessionera peak of $29.7 million in 2010, the result of selling off 60 real estate properties in the last six years. But a hefty figure lingers.

Bank of Commerce’s ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets through March 31 is 6.7% — sixth worst among all Florida community banks, according to

Pensacola-based financial data firm Saltmarsh Cleveland & Gund. The average ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets among community banks statewide is 1.12%, adds Saltmarsh in its most recent Florida Asset Quality Report. (See nonperforming assets chart on Page 12.) n SHRINKING BOARD: The bank’s board, an important source of business for community banks, has lost five members.

Three resigned, and two died.

Four board members remain, including Murphy. The others are Bank of Commerce CFO David Dillon; real estate developer and philanthropist Cathy Lay-

ton; and Lakewood Ranch-based homebuilder John Cannon.

Bank officials have chatted with prospective new board members for years, with no takers. “It’s challenging to find someone who wants to be part of a community bank in this situation,” says Layton.

One final, yet notable, constraint to growth and sustainable survival comes from roughly $15 million in trust preferred stock debt the bank holds. Trust preferred stock, sometimes called Trups, is when a bank creates a trust to hold an asset, sometimes in the early days of the bank, and then sells it, usually in a bond.

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That kind of debt, say several bank industry analysts, can be a big barrier for a community bank seeking fresh capital.

“That’s an albatross around his neck,” says Bishop, who knows Murphy, but doesn’t regularly follow the bank. “The only way to get out of that is to get someone with a lot of capital to pay it off and pay back shareholders.”

Still, several area bankers are impressed Bank of Commerce, with $211.2 million in assets through March 31, carries on. “They are still swimming upstream a bit,” says Jody

Wednesday, June 15th 1:30pm to 2:30pm

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Your Ethical Will: The Most Valuable Asset You Can Leave Behind

Thursday, June 23rd 3:00pm to 4:00pm

SHAPING OUR FUTURE: A SERIES ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Early forms of ethical wills can be found in the spiritual blessings and curses encountered in the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), Apocrypha, the Talmud and various ancient texts. In the modern legal arena of wills and inheritance the ethical will is rarely Thursdays, July 7, 14, 21, and 28 12:30pm encountered. However, the value of leaving something behind that communicates your| 11:00am values, beliefs, to experiences, and life lessons to your family and loved ones has never been more vital. Think of the ethical will as your treatise on family values and principles and an inward reflection on the essential truths you have learned in your lifetime. Explore the origins of the ethical will in Jewish history and see contemporary samples in various forms, such as in a letter, a poem, presentation or even song.

Stacy Prouty and Michelle Williams, Senior Living Communications Specialists, will share their knowledge, tips and tools for creating an ethical will.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

11

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

Bank

BANK OF COMMERCE: NONPERFORMING ASSETS

FROM PAGE 10

$30 milion

Hudgins, a prominent area banker now with Naples-based First Florida Integrity Bank. “But the fact that they are still open and haven’t gotten any other regulatory orders is a story of how well Charlie and his team and the board have done.”

Adds Hudgins: “They may be the smartest bankers in Florida.”

TRY ON A

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Hudgins says Bank of Commerce was one of the first community banks to stop lending when the bubble showed signs of burst.

“During the go-go days we didn’t have smart competition, we had dumb competition,” he says. “You had a limited supply of talented bankers. There were people who were CEOs of banks who had never been in a downturn.”

Another decision Murphy made before others that was savvy, if personally painful: He cut expenses. The bank slashed the payroll from 67 to 32 employees.

It shuttered its 401(k) program.

And it froze raises for five years.

“Losses were escalating and eating into capital levels,” Murphy says. “We shrank the bank.

We sold assets. We cut to the bone.”

Remaining employees faced a stark choice: Stay with what could be a failed bank, or look for work at a larger bank with a deeper cushion. Opportunities were slim, TRYbutONthere A were some.

Bank of ON Commerce Vice TRY A TRY ONJeff A Burkee,Senior President who joined Contact the Penny Hill Group to learn more the bank in 2005, nearly quit.

5

$7.45 million 2007

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Formerly with SunTrust and Regions Bank, Burkee says losing the 401(k) and going sans raise for several years stung. A switch in roles, from loaning money to businesses to working with borrowers who couldn’t pay back their loans, also stung. And the anxiety was palpable.

“There were so many times when we came to work where we didn’t know if we would be there the next day,” says Burkee.

But Burkee and a core group of others stayed with the bank — and Murphy. “He’s a great leader to follow,” says Bank of Commerce Retail Manager Debbie Cooke, who worked with Murphy at SouthTrust Bank in the late 1990s and early 2000s. “He was always pointing out the positive.”

Burkee, 52, is back to lending money again at the bank, and he doesn’t regret sticking it out. “I had calls and offers from other banks and headhunters,” he says.

“But I couldn’t pull the trigger.

I felt like there were things we could accomplish here.”

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He went to dinner with his wife.

He played golf with friends. His faith, he adds, was a big source of comfort. “I have a lot of things to be thankful for,” he says.

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Murphy says he never considered quitting, though the job wore on him at times. He remained visible, and positive, save for the occasional time he went into his office and closed the door. “A big part of my net worth is dedicated to this bank,” says Murphy. “I was never going to step away.”

Murphy learned, or relearned, two key management lessons from the experience. One is to always be honest and transparent, no matter the news, with employees and regulators. “We always told the truth,” he says. “We never said we are in great shape.”

A second lesson is the value of forecasting. Bank executives tried to anticipate problems in the small stage, before things blew up. “We tried to do a lot of analysis and a lot of planning,” he says. “We tried to make sure we were never caught with our pants down and something happened we didn’t know about.”

On a personal level, Murphy did the best he could to stay positive.

The next step for Bank of Commerce is to find outside capital and/or grow through new loans and profits. Both represent significant hurdles. That’s true even in a banking climate where several community banks, from Tampa to Naples, have grown profits, raised capital or both.

The question of why hasn’t Bank of Commerce been able to do it comes up often, in and out of the bank. “Not a week goes by when someone doesn’t ask, ‘Why can’t you just make some money?’” says Layton. “But it’s so much more complicated than that.”

Bank of Commerce has hired several consultants over the last five years to help raise capital, including New York-based Sandler O’Neill in 2011. That effort, to raise $8.5 million, never came to fruition. Other efforts also fizzled.

Lending is also tough when business owners can go to many other banks, particularly ones without the lurking issues. “The challenge is getting back to a regular earnings situation,” says Murphy.

Finally, there’s the trending theory that a community bank must hit $1 billion in assets to succeed long term. An eternal optimist, Murphy holds no illusions Bank of Commerce will reach that level. That’s OK with him. Says Murphy: “You can’t be all things to all people.”

TOUGHER TIMES Nine community banks were founded in the Sarasota-Bradenton market from 1998 to 2000. Just one, Sarasota-based Bank of Commerce, remains open.

Here’s a look at what happened to some other community banks from that period: SunCoast Bank: First of its group of peers to sell, when it was acquired in 2006. Starkville, Missbased NBC Capital Corp., which later changed its name to Cadence Bank, bought SunCoast for $34.8 million.

Coast Bank: St. Louis-based First Banks bought Bradenton-based Coast for $22.1 million in 2007. Coast had $60 million in bad loans when it was sold, and it also faced several classaction lawsuits. A former executive was sentenced to more than a year in federal prison in 2011 for a $1 million loan scheme.

First Banks sold the former Coast Bank portfolio in 2012.

Flagship National Bank: Lake City-based First Federal Bank of Florida acquired the assets of Bradenton-based Flagship after regulators shuttered it in 2009.

Plant City-based Sunshine Bank bought two former Flagship branches from First Federal in 2015.

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FUN FOR ALL AGES! FREEDOM FEST PARADE

Grab your red, white and blue streamers and decorate your bikes, strollers, wagons and, yes, your dogs for a patriotic stroll down Longboat Key’s Main Street — Bay Isles Road.

Join Longboat Key dignitaries, Uncle Sam, the Cannons Marina boat and all your neighbors for an old-fashioned, All-American parade. Lineup begins at 8:30 a.m. between Bank of America and SunTrust Bank on Bay Isles Road.

Parade starts at 9 a.m.

KID GAMES & BUTTERFLY RELEASE Fun games for kids of all ages in Bicentennial Park (next to Longboat Key Town Hall) after the parade, with loads of fun prizes for everyone. Kids can also take tours of Longboat Key’s biggest fire truck and rescue unit. Kids will get to release dozens of butterflies, supplied by the Longboat Key Garden Club, into the park.

Come meet Mrs. Florida - America 2016 FOOD Rachael Neudecker Indulge in some of your holiday favorites: waffles with strawberries and (Represents Sarasota) whipped cream from Blue Dolphin Cafe, soft drinks, ice cream and more.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

CHAPTER 5

Illustration by C.J. Major

TROUBLEINPARADISE Editor’s Note: Ten years ago, Longboat Key author H. Terrell Griffin made his debut as a mystery writer with the “Killer Summer” serial in the Longboat Observer featuring the fictional Detective Jake Bass.

This summer, Griffin brings

Bass back for the original fiction series “Trouble in Paradise.”

Who will be a suspect?

Who will survive? The 13part mystery will unfold this summer in the Longboat Observer.

Are the Garden Club ladies tracking turtles or looking for trouble? Jake Bass investigates.

H. TERRELL GRIFFIN

T

he Longboat Key Garden Club ladies were on the prowl. I spotted them just as I crossed the Longboat Pass Bridge. I was returning from a smoky bar on Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach where I’d found the big-haired Georgia preacher.

We’d had a few drinks and talked a bit about religion and the law. He didn’t know the location of the Mount of Olives or the significance of the Mountains of Ararat, and he sprinkled our conversation with words like “perp,” “narc,” and “bolo.”

Suddenly, it clicked. “You’re a cop,” I said.

“I’m a minister of the gospel.”

“Who do you work for? Manatee Sheriff?”

He shrugged. “Florida Department of Law Enforcement.”

“Narc?”

“Undercover anti-terrorism

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agent.”

“Why did you tell me you were a preacher when I caught you last night?”

“I was posing as a real estate agent, but I thought you might arrest me and blow my cover if you thought I really was one.”

“Why would I have arrested you?”

“Real estate agents have licenses from the state. I thought if I was caught impersonating one, I could be charged with unlicensed practice. You can’t do that to a preacher. Besides, I was also worried about my hair.”

“Why?” “I was afraid if you took me to jail, somebody would shave my head to be sure I didn’t have lice.

It took me five months to grow that hair, and I had to endure some major indignities while working on it.”

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“Like what?”

“Every day at dusk, a supervisor would come by and put fertilizer on my head. Said it would facilitate the growth as well as add luster.”

“Did that work?”

“I think the result speaks for itself,” he said, bowing his head proudly to give me a good look.

“How long did you have to leave the fertilizer on your head?”

“Just until my morning shower.”

“You slept with that stuff in your hair?”

“Yeah. It ruined a pillowcase a night. Had to throw the things in the biohazard waste can every morning.”

“But why masquerade as a real estate agent in the first place?”

“You’ve got a lot more real estate agents on the island than you do preachers, and nobody else wears big hair. I figured I’d get lost in the crowd.”

“You could have pretended to be a lawyer.”

He stared at me for a moment, a look of horror on his face. “Not a chance. I’ve got principles.”

“Sorry, didn’t mean to offend you.”

“No harm, no foul.”

“What does that mean exactly?”

“I don’t know. It’s probably a basketball metaphor, but I don’t follow basketball.”

“You think there’s terrorism on Longboat Key?” I asked, disgusted at what I’d just heard about his hair care regimen.

“Yes.” “You meant the Occupy GMD group?”

“Nah. They’re quite harmless.

It’d help if your mayor would authorize portable toilets for their campsite down at the crosswalk, but in the absence of that, they just make a lot of noise about a fascist plot to deny them the use of sanitary facilities.”

“What about the time they blew up the toilet in the governor’s office in Tallahassee? That was dangerous.”

“The courts decided that was legitimate protest protected by the Constitution.”

“But,” I said, incredulously, “the lieutenant governor was on the toilet when it blew.”

“Yeah, but it turns out he wasn’t authorized to use the governor’s toilet, and he’d been warned about that a number of times. A lot of people thought the governor planted the bomb to make a point. Besides, we don’t need a lieutenant governor.”

“Or a vice mayor. Do you have a lead on the LBK terrorists?”

“I’m honing in on the Longboat Key Garden Club.”

“What? They’re nice people doing a lot of good works.”

“So they say, but I’ve seen some of their leaders wearing camouflage.”

“Like soldiers wear?”

“No. They wear camouflage dresses and high-heel desert boots.”

“That is scary,” I said, “but maybe it’s just a new fashion.”

“Maybe in California, but not in any civilized part of the world.”

“What put you onto the Garden Club?”

“A confidential informant.”

“That wouldn’t be Charlie Goins, would it?”

“How did you know that?”

“You told me last night you were here to counsel Charlie at his mother’s request. She’s dead, by the way.”

“Oh.” With that, I’d paid my half of the tab, told the preacher I’d look in to the Garden Club and walked out into the clear air. My lungs would never be the same. I was on my way home when I saw the camouflaged ladies sneaking under the bridge, working their way along the shore of Beer Can Island. I pulled to a stop, turned on my blue emergency lights and hit the siren for a loud but short whoop. I got out of the car and leaned over the bridge railing.

“What are you ladies up to?” I asked.

“We’re watching for poachers,” one of them said.

“What?”

“Poachers.”

“I heard you. What poachers?”

“Turtle egg poachers.”

“It’s too early in the year for the turtles.”

“Think about it, officer. If a turtle’s internal clock gets just a little bit off, they might come early. You know, thinking it was time for them to drop their eggs.”

“If that happens, how would the poachers know the turtles are coming early?”

“Poachers know a lot.”

“But do they know about confused turtles?” I asked.

“Maybe. Maybe not. But we can’t take a chance. If the poachers know about the chance of turtle confusion, and if the turtles are confused and come early to the beach to lay their eggs, we

|

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

15

need to be ready.”

“How often are you out here?”

“Every night. From the time it gets dark until it’s too late for the turtles to be awake.”

“And this has been going on or how long?”

“Since the end of nesting season. November 1.”

“Don’t your husbands get upset that you’re out here half the night watching for poachers?”

“Nope. They go to Hooters and drink beer and eat wings.”

“And ogle,” one of the women said. “They’re fine.”

I gave it up and went home to bed.

Longboat Key resident H. Terrell Griffin is the award-winning author of the national bestselling Matt Royal mystery season.

Superheroes

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Commercial Real Estate Economic Trends Growth Companies CEO Insights Law Insurance Banking and Finance Leadership

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To subscribe call 941.362.4848 or email subscriptions@businessobserverfl.com

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Take a closer look at the over 50 dogs on display at sponsoring businesses throughout the area, and at guidedogs.org/superheroes

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Most days, the canine trainees at Southeastern Guide Dogs look like your average pooches. But the truth is, for their human companions, they’re superheroes—all trained right here in your backyard. To honor the heroic work they do, we’ve celebrated them in statue, then given them to area artists to reveal the heroes inside. Which will be your favorite Southeastern Superhero?

WORSHIP SERVICES

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

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All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church, 563 Bay Isles Road: Sunday worship service is at 10 a.m. The Rev. David Danner is the rector.

383-8161.

Christ Church of Longboat Key, Presbyterian, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive: Sunday worship service is at 10 a.m. The Rev. Norman Pritchard is the pastor.

383-8833.

Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive: Sunday worship service is at 10 a.m. The Rev. Bill Friederich is the pastor.

383-6491.

St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, 40 N. Adams Drive: Fellowship and education hour is at 9 a.m., and a worship celebration is at 10 a.m. The Rev. Mark Bernthal is the pastor. 388-1234.

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church, 4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive: Sunday Masses are at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.; daily Masses are at 9 a.m. Monday through Friday; and Saturday Masses are at 5 p.m. Msgr. Gerard Finegan is the pastor.

383-1255.

Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, holds Shabbat services at 5:30 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. Saturdays. Call 383-3428.

OB I T UA R I ES PATRICIA “PATTY DOBBLING

Patricia “Patty” Dobbling, 78, of Fort Thomas, Ky., and Longboat Key, died June 15.

Her greatest joy was spending time and vacations with her family. She was a member of All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, where she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and was a member of the Altar Guild and Episcopal Church Women.

Some of her most cherished philanthropies include volunteering for the St. Luke Auxiliary and Holly Children’s Home and serving as the past president of the Fort Thomas Garden Club. She was active in Ruth Moyer and Highlands PTA. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority at the University of Kentucky.

She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Dilling, and mother, Dorothy Vail Dilling.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, William Dobbling; son, Patrick Dobbling; daughters Beth Hudepohl, Kim Lampe and Julie Warren; sister, Jean McQueen; and seven grandchildren.

A service was held June 20, in Fort Thomas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 3 Chalfonte Place, Fort Thomas, KY 41075, and the Fort Thomas Education Foundation, P.O. Box 75090, Fort Thomas, KY 41075.

ALFRED ORD MYERS

Alfred Ord Myers, 78, of Longboat Key, died June 2 of complications from Parkinson’s disease.

Born March 6, 1938, in Queens, N.Y., he attended Georgetown

Prep and Fenwick High School and later graduated cum laude from the University of Notre Dame class of 1959 with his Bachelor of Arts in business administration. He received his MBA from the University of Chicago. He then attended the Naval Supply School, in Athens, Ga., and served in the Navy as a supply officer on the USS Harwood during the Cuban blockade.

He joined General Motors in 1964. Soon after, he became an overseas corporation auditor for the company and traveled and lived all over the world with his wife for 13 years.

He will be greatly missed by his many friends and classmates from Notre Dame.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Virginia Myers, of Longboat Key. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Laota.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the University of Notre Dame Development Office, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556.

Albert Spector

ALBERT SPECTOR

Albert Spector, 91, of Wooster, Ohio and formerly of Longboat Key, died June 16.

WORSHIP

Born July 11, 1924, in Youngstown, Ohio, he was the son of Michael and Sonia Cohen Spector.

Living in Youngstown during the Great Depression, he witnessed his father provide a home and provisions for 11 relatives. He took every opportunity to let his family know that despite how poor they were, his father made sure they never missed a meal. The impact of his Youngstown years led to Mr. Spector’s strong sense of responsibility to his family, immediate and extended, his community, his Jewish faith and his country.

Mr. Spector moved to Mount Eaton, Ohio for his high school years, where he was a proud member of its varsity basketball team that had lost 100 games in a row, but won on its 101st try when he was a senior on the team.

In 1943, he went to war as an Army combat medic, 89th Division. He attended to the wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, and his unit was the first American one to come upon a Nazi death camp — Ohrdruf — in April 1945. The horror he observed of recently machinegunned prisoners was something he did not speak of until he was in his 70s. A picture of Gens. Eisenhower, Patton and Bradley surveying the gunned down bodies is in the Washington Holocaust Museum.

Mr. Spector was standing next to the photographer when the picture was taken.

He returned to Mount Eaton and married Rosalyn “Roz” Nobil on July 3, 1949, and they made Wooster their home for 67 years. He was a member of the Knesseth Israel Temple and on the boards of Wooster Community Hospital and Apple Creek Bank.

After the war, he joined his father’s business, Spector Stores, and expanded it to

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6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive • Longboat Key, Florida 34228 Telephone: 941-383-6491 • web: www.longboatislandchapel.org

All Angels by the Sea

THRIFT SHOP open Mon., Wed. and Sat. 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, CATHOLIC CHURCH

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Welcomes You to Mass

563 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key

MASS SCHEDULE

Sunday Service 10:00 a.m.

The Rev. David L. Danner, D. Min., Rector

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

Msgr. Gerard Finegan, Pastor

Temple Beth Israel

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Visitors & Residents Welcome

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941.383.3428 | www.tbi-lbk.org 207503

6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive • 383.8833 • www.christchurchlbk.org

Saturday: 5:00 PM Sunday: 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM Confessions before all daily Masses

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All are welcome. Please join us in worship!

207487

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Send obituaries to Community Editor Kristen Herhold at kherhold@ yourobserver.com.

The Rev. Bill Friederich Interim Minister

Visitors Welcome

The Lord’s Warehouse

383-8161

CONTACT US

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Worship Service

An InterfAIth CommunIty ChurCh founded In 1956

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six stores over the years. The stores remain in the family under the ownership of his daughter, Susan. He purchased the Sugarcreek Budget Newspaper in 1983, and this 125-year-old newspaper remains owned by the Spector family. His entire business life, he was involved with the Amish and Mennonite communities, where he made many good friends. He developed a great respect for the “plain communities” and their way of life and care of family.

Upon retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Spector spent winters in Longboat Key. Several years ago, he returned permanently to Wooster.

In addition to his wife, who died in 2001, he was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, and sisters, Becky Levine and Ruth Lissauer. He is survived by his children, Debra Kloosterman, of Bloomington, Ind., David Spector, of Wooster, Sonia Cohen, of Evanston, Ill., and Susan Spector, of Cleveland Heights, Ohio; 10 grandchildren; and sisters-in-law, Florence Shapiro and Mona Nobil.

A service was held June 17, in Wooster.

Memorial donations can be made to People to People Ministries, 454 E. Bowman St., Wooster, OH 44691 or to the Mount Eaton Care Center, P.O. Box 177, Mount Eaton, OH 44659.

567 Bay Isles Road • Longboat Key, FL

207564

16

Classifieds 30 Games 29 Real Estate 26 Weather 29

JUNE 23, 2016

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Photos by Kristen Herhold

Commodore Lynn Smith, front, and husband, Kendall

Bird Key Yacht Club

gets a lift B

Marshall Fernandez and Cathy Abrams

ird Key Yacht Club members celebrated the completion of a new kayak lift with a christening June 17.

The lift, which is the only kayak lift at a Sarasota club, is the first phase of a $2.6 million renovation of the marina, which will have 45 slips to accommodate boats up to 50 feet in length. The project will be completed this fall. The Sarasota Power and Sail Squadron safety checked the kayak lift before its first launch.

“We’re going to qualify as a clean marina with the Florida Environmental Protection Agency,” said board of governors member Brian McCarthy, who manages the marina renovation. “This is a celebration of what’s ecologically great.”

SEE MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 18

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

Talk to Tina today

BKYC

Your Real Estate Connection

FROM PAGE 17

Call Tina Rudek (941) 920-0303 Tina@LBKRealEstate.com

LBKRealEstate.com

Gracious Bayfront Residence

Offered at $1,950,000 207552

“Ich spreche Deutsch”

Price Reduced

Living and Working on Longboat Key for 40 Years

Cathy C. Meldahl, P.A. Your Longboat Key Community Realtor

207549

• 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 Center for the Arts Longboat Key Garden Club

3174 Gulf of Mexico Dr. Longboat Key, FL 34228

Michael Saunders & Company Licensed Real Estate Broker

941.724.7228

CathyMeldahl@michaelsaunders.com Photos by Kristen Herhold

Norm Weber, chairman of the club’s kayak group, Fleet Captain Tami Walsh, Brian McCarthy, board of governors owners’ representative, and Commodore Lynn Smith

Grand Bay - 3030 Grand Bay Blvd. #311

Exceptional corner unit. Upgraded in a contemporary style, featuring an extended wrap-around balcony with panoramic golf course and downtown skyline views, chef’s kitchen, and custom built-ins throughout.

www.grandbay311.com

$1,425,000

Downtown Sarasota • 2202 McClellan Pkwy 5BR/4BA home and guest cottage.

One-of-a-kind Colonial in historic McClellan Park, built in 1927, and tastefully renovated in 2007.

Walk to Southside Village and Bayfront.

www.2202Mcclellan.com $1,500,000

Andree Huffine

Coldwell Banker Previews International Property Specialist

Marilyn Huseby, Karen Gallagher and Leslie Williams

Lou Lawrence paddles along after the launch.

Andree@YourSarasotaRealEstate.com www.YourSarasotaRealEstate.com

The Only Residence available in the Most Exclusive New Longboat Key Condominium

THIS IS THE LIFE The Boheme Penthouse; Private Pool Cabana, Private Rooftop Garden, 3+car Garage, over 8,000+ Total SF of Luxury Living $5,795,000 JONATHAN ABRAMS, REALTOR® 941.232.2868

jonathanabrams@michaelsaunders.com Michael Saunders and Company - Licensed Real Estate Broker 5100 Ocean Blvd. | Sarasota, FL 34242 | 941.349.3444 |

NEWSARASOTACONDO.COM Prices and features subject to change without notice. Offer void where prohibited by law. Oral representation cannot be relied upon as correctly stating representation of the developer for correct representations make reference to the documents required by Florida statutes $718.503. To be furnished by a developer to a buyer of lessee.

208993

209049

941.232.4053

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Barbara Ackerman (941) 780-6045

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Ryan Ackerman (305) 205-7700

RANKED #1 for 2015 …

Highest closed residential sales volume among all agents in Sarasota & Manatee counties!

Bird Key - Waterfront Chic A boater’s delight, 213 ft of waterfront property with Bay and City views. Protected boat dock with 20K lb lift and Jet Ski lift! Disappearing infinityedge pool, fabulous outdoor entertaining area. Walk to St Armand’s shopping and fine dining. $4,295,000

Water Club I - Awe Inspiring Views Elegant 7th floor 3BR/4.5BA residence with 10’ ceilings, walls of glass, wood floors and custom cabinetry has amazing views of the Gulf, Beach & Sarasota Bay. Water Club is a 24-hour guard gated community with superb amenities. Pet-friendly! $2,465,000

Bay Isles - Harbor Section Waterfront Classic residence situated on the largest single lot in the community. Tranquil setting, deep water dock and access to the Sarasota Bay. Elegant, light and airy living spaces. 4BR, 4209 SF. Oak floors and plantation shutters throughout. $1,995,000

Grand Bay 1 – Simply Stunning 4th floor Antigua residence with 3BR/3.5BA, private elevator foyer, double glass entry doors, wood floors, open floor plan and unobstructed bay, City & golf course views. Beach Club membership included along with superior community amenities. $1,695,000

North Casey Key - Villa Crescendo is the epitome of harmony blending the views and sounds of the beach and bay waters from every room. Topquality-construction in this Phipps designed in this 4 BR residence. Gulf-to-bay home with private beach.

Tranquility & privacy. $4,450,000

Bird Key – Garden Home Charming split floor plan home with 3 bedrooms, large gathering room and a bonus room/office. All just one block from the Bird Key Yacht Club and complete with a privacy walled 15x30 pool with tropical landscaping and 2-car garage.

NEW LISTING $805,000

Beachplace – Longboat Key Turnkey furnished, 5th floor residence in Building 6 has views of the Gulf and Bay and a neutral palate with light ceramic tile and carpet. Gated beachfront complex with great amenities and a flexible rental policy. $575,000

Villa Di Lancia - Direct Gulf Front Exciting opportunity in a high-demand gated community on Longboat Key! Completely furnished move-in ready 3 full BR/3 BA apartment w/ granite kitchen, insulated impact glass windows/doors and a covered Gulf front terrace providing year-round sunset views. $1,650,000

Water Club I – Longboat Key Light & bright 4th floor Brighton plan with private elevator lobby, 3 FULL bedrooms, many custom interior touches, wood floors and a sunny south exposure for Gulf AND Bay views. Water Club is a gated pet-friendly community. $1,895,000

Beaches - Penthouse Panoramic Gulf, Beach, Bay & Golf Course views from this 3BR/3BA Penthouse apartment behind the gates of the Longboat Key Club. Gorgeous modern interiors. 2 valuable parking spaces. Excellent amenities package including 24hour concierge & more. $1,749 ,000

Bayou Circle - Behind the Gates of Bay Isles Custom built 3BR/3.5BA elevated home on an oversized lot ‘behind the gates’ with over 3,100 SF plus an under-building 3+ car garage. New European kitchen, high ceilings, fireplace in family room, and screened pool/ spa. $1,050,000

Riegel’s Landing - Siesta Key Move in ready - totally renovated! A spectacular residence in one of the few gated boating communities on Siesta, seconds to the Intracoastal Waterway. This 4BR home includes picturesque views of a deep sailboat harbor. Less than a mile drive to the beach. $1,897,000

La Bellasara - Golden Gate Point Sophisticated apartment w/ 3BR-all with en suite baths, guest powder room, separate den, outdoor summer kitchen and 3 balconies overlooking the Bay, $540,000 downtown, and Marina Jack. Private 2-car garage w/ extra storage included. Pet-friendly community with excellent amenities. $2,395,000 $599,000

Longboat Shores – Renovated Waterfront Gem Contemporary 3BR/2BA home on a deep water canal with Bay access from private dock!

New plumbing fixtures, HVAC, lighting, flooring & hardware, upgraded electrical resurfaced caged pool and spa deck. $779,000

Corey’s Landing - 102’ of Direct Bay Frontage Excellent opportunity for a maintenance free single family villa with 3BR/4BA plus a private pool & spa overlooking Sarasota Bay. Ownership includes deeded beach club access. Located behind the gates of Bay Isles.

NEW PRICE $1,950,000

Laurel Oak - Arthur Rutenberg Built Executive Home Situated on a 1 acre lot. 4 bedrooms, 6 baths + study and entertainment room. Beautiful interiors, resort style screened pool with summer kitchen & 4-car garage. Guard gated community with topnotch golf and tennis facilities. $895,000

Grand Bay 1 - Sunsets over the Gulf Amazing vistas of Bay waters and Gulf sunsets are captured from this 8th floor 3BR/2BA Cayman plan apartment that is ready to be customized by your imagination!

Includes deeded Bay Isles Beach Club membership. $1,295,000

Grand Bay 1 - South-facing 8th Floor Bay, Gulf, & City views from this turnkey furnished, move in ready 3BR/3.5BA Biscayne plan apartment with wood floors & quality built-ins throughout. Includes deeded Beach Club membership. $1,075,000

Broadway Promenade - Downtown Sarasota 3 BR/2BA apartment now available. Fresh, spacious and bright! Separate living/dining areas, stainless steel appliances and granite surfaces. Grocery & retail shopping, dining, cultural venues and more right in your backyard. $415,000

Aquarius Club - Longboat Key Updated, fully furnished apartments with a flexible rental policy in a superb Gulf front community!

Apartment #204 w/ 1,551 SF Apartment #306 w/ 1,615 SF

Riverview Boulevard–Home is almost FREE! Elegant 5BR/6.5BA residence on 210’ of direct Manatee Riverfront w/ dock, lift & Jet Ski lift features 24’ ceilings, wood & marble inlaid floors, gourmet kitchen, lanai pool with fountain & cabana bar, elevator, separate guest house, 3-car garage & so much more. $1,890,000

Corey’s Landing - Direct Bay Front 5,800 sf sanctuary on a quiet cul-de-sac w/ 5 BR + 23’x26’ bonus room, 25 foot ceilings, outdoor Japanese gardens, orchid room, bay front pool/ spa and private dock. Includes deeded Beach Club membership. $2,850,000

www.ackermangroup.net

office@ackermangroup.net

941-387-1820

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, LLC • 201 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 1 • Longboat Key, FL 34228

Owned and operated by NRT, LLC

203610

Ritz Carlton Tower Residences – Downtown Sarasota Rarely available 8th floor corner ‘05’ floor plan w/ 3 full bedrooms, + family room & study. Perfection personified in European modern design with permanently unobstructed Bay views. Includes 2 garage spaces. $3,250,000

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

SENIOR DATING:

FULL SPEED AHEAD Single ladies and gentlemen race the clock to meet potential matches at a new 60-and-up dating series.

AMANDA MORALES COMMUNITY REPORTER

L

ois Davis, 80, sat at Table 12 holding a stack of cards fanned just below her nose like she’s playing a game of Texas Hold’em.

But these weren’t playing cards. They were blank business cards, and on them, she’d written her name and phone number.

“I’ve got five aces,” said Frank Mosca, who for the next five minutes would be Davis’ date.

Mosca turned to the others seated around the table.

“You can tell she plays cards,” Mosca told them.

Davis laughed. A sense of humor was one of the key traits she seeks. In fact, she said she would be willing to date younger if it meant finding someone who can keep up with her wit.

The scene unfolded June 8, at Kobernick House, during the first of six Stir It Up 60+ Speed Dating sessions. Hosted by the Friendship Centers and Kobernick-Anchin-Benderson, the event will switch locations every

Photos by Amanda Morales

John Russo holds Peg Guy’s hand during their five-minute speed date.

READY TO STIR IT UP?

LOCATION! Custom 5Br/5Ba/2CG w/Gulf views, 4 balconies, fab covered patio SF, roof top sundeck, pvt courtyard, 3-tier pool, 12 person spa, casita, elevator, gourmet kitch., Brazilian flrs., game rm, wet bar, 4th flr cupola w/180 deg views, mos. to St Armand’s & Downtown!

MLS#A4143440 .................................$4,000,000

WATERFRONT COMM. - NEARLY AN ACRE! 4Br/4.5Ba/3CG home plus bonus rm & den wooded view, MF lawn, detailed ceil., built-ins, granite, wood cabinets, tile & wood flrs, central vac., gas fp, SS appls., wet bar, screened lanai w/pool, spa & summer kitch., comm. boat ramp!

MLS#A4147577 .......................................$900,000

DOWNTOWN RENTAL! 2Br/2Ba/Den/2 balconies/1CG end residence w/full service lifestyle, fantastic views, diagonal tile, remodeled kitch., granite, white cabinetry, SS appls., split plan privacy, MBr w/lg walk-in, pvt laundry, hurricane shutters, in Bay Plaza w/gracious amenities!

MLS#A4156431....................................... $3650/m

BAY FRONT RENTAL! Downtown 2Br/2Ba/1CG w/Sarasota Bay views, open & spacious, granite, ceramic tile, French doors, plantation shutters, walk-ins, updated baths, laundry & pvt balcony in a gated bldg w/ amenities; pools, tennis, fitness & more!

MLS#A4154734 ..................................... $2,550/m

DOWNTOWN SAN MARCO! 3-4Br/2.5Ba/1CG+1 w/extended terrace, city views & peek of the bay, granite, wood cabinets, diagonal tile & wood flrs, crown moldings, pvt laundry & newer a/c in a secure bldg. w/amenities; fitness ctr, pool & sauna in heart of cultural district!

MLS#A4118575 ......................................$535,000

other month to give seniors more opportunities to meet potential matches.

The first event drew 47 singles ranging in age from 60 to 95.

Even more people registered for the event and were placed on a waitlist.

Earlier in the night, as the daters entered the room, the women stayed on one side, chatting with each other, while the men enjoyed a few minutes of guy time on the other. Meanwhile, KobernickAnchin-Benderson employees lingered near the refreshments and sangria, looking a lot like chaperones for the evening. No one was ready to hit the dance floor — yet.

SEE PAGE 22

PRESTANCIA! 4Br/3Ba/2CG in gated golf course comm., split plan w/2 full masters, travertine marble fp, vaulted & tray ceils., porcelain tile & bamboo flrs, granite, SS appls., vessel sinks, skylights, French doors, quartz pool-spa w/ privacy & paver brick, close to Siesta Beach!

MLS#A4146017 ......................................$629,000

GATED GOLF COMMUNITY! 4-5Br/3Ba/3CG split plan w/Lr, Dr, Fam rm, kitch. w/Bfst nook, tile flrs, built-ins, wood cabinets, granite, Corian, tray ceil., fp, updated MBa, screened lanai w/pool, spa & summer kitch., in University Park w/CC membership options!

MLS#A4153266.....................................$500,000

BAY PLAZA VIEWS! 3Br/3Ba/2CG/3 balconies, over 3300SF w/sweeping bay views, open & flexible plan, hardwood flrs, ceramic tile, crown moldings, built-ins, kitch.w/all appls., guest qtrs. w/kitchenette & its own entry + pvt laundry in full service downtown building w/amenities!

MLS#A4146244 .................................. $1,400,000

Since 1969 5330 Ashton Ct., Sarasota

CS

State Certified General Contractor

&C

Candy Swick & Company

• Repair • Replace • Condos • Homes

Licensed Real Estate Broker

UPDATED PH W/BAY VIEWS! 2Br/2Ba/1CP w/bonus rm, diagonal tile, granite, crown moldings, eat-in kitch. w/SS appls. & tray ceil., MBr w/walk-in, storm shutters & pvt laundry in bldg. on Sarasota Bay w/amenities, close to IMG, beaches, Downtown Sarasota & more!

MLS#A4144415.............................$415,000

www.candyswick.com

www.wilson-window.com

2063 Main Street, Sarasota FL 34237

921-1113

208017

941-954-9000

Candy Swick & Company

Real Estate Savvy

The next speed dating event will take place Aug. 25, at the Friendship Centers, 1888 Brother Geenen Way. Tickets are $20 and include wine, cheese, desserts and dancing. Register by contacting Patricia McMahon at pmcmahon@kobernickanchin. org or 377-0781, Ext. 124.

209026

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

COFFEY & COMPANY 22 S. Links Ave., Ste #204, Sarasota, FL 34236 www.insarasotarealestate.com 941.284.4474 Cell Phone 877.308.6311 Toll-Free | 888.756.6624 Toll-Free Fax

The Best Home-Buying Decision You’ll Ever Make Brandy Coffey ABR,CIPS,CLHMS,CRS,RSPS,TRC Licensed Real Estate Broker | Keller Williams Luxury Homes International

917 MACEWEN DR, OSPREY Custom built 4,068 SF, 3 bed +den (possible 4th BR), 4 bath oversized 3-car garage, in prestigious Oaks Golf and Country Club. Home features open floor plan, Chef ’s kitchen, travertine flooring, custom pool/spa, full summer kitchen, tranquil views of the lake and more!

$1,195,000

136 OSPREY POINT DR, OSPREY This gorgeous home has undergone an extensive $1M dollar

renovation & features 7 Bedrooms, 6 Full/3 Half baths, Brazilian cherry wood flooring, renovated chef ’s kitchen, customized entertainment area, two master suites, infinity-edge pool/spa, home theater & $3,449,900 expansive views of the bay & Gulf of Mexico.

NEW PRICE

1132 WINDSONG LN, SIESTA KEY Newly constructed 6 bed/5 4205 HIGEL AVE, SARASOTA Welcome to “Villa del Paradiso”, 7909 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, SARASOTA

Beautiful 5 bedroom/4 bath secluded bay estate on South Siesta! On close to an acre with expansive water frontage, lush foliage, a private boat dock, and views to take your breath away. State of the art kitchens both inside and outside with updated appliances, custom cabinets, and extensive built ins. Three guest rooms with tropical views on the main floor. Moving to the 2nd floor, you will find an office/den loft and another bonus room. $2,295,000

bath 3 story home over multi car garage with stunning beach views and gated beach access to Siesta Key. Enjoy this homes many features including an open floor plan, porcelain tile, private elevator, saltwater pool, and a spacious rooftop sundeck showcasing this homes incredible Gulf views. Both units can be purchased for $4,499,000. $2,290,000

a luxurious private estate located on the world-renowned Siesta Key. This meticulously built 4/4.5 home boasts the finest in craftsmanship and quality with hand-crafted wood doors, hand carved Italian stonework, artisan murals, and ironwork from centuries past. A true masterpiece in the melding of quality construction with artisan craftsmanship. Gorgeous views of Roberts Bay and access to your own private beach. $6,499,900

7794 HOLIDAY DR N, SARASOTA Masterful design & modern luxury are uniquely embodied in this 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home. This waterfront residence with wall-to-wall windows is a haven for gazing at the bay views. Enjoy gatherings in the generously-sized living/dining room area graced by ambient fireplaces, hurricane proof glass windows & sliding doors leading out to the pool deck. Tremendous chef ’s kitchen has plenty of storage, a Vinotemp wine cooler, Argentinian granite island, Electrolux double convection ovens & an induction stove top. The master retreat on the 2nd level, complete with a walk in custom closet and en-suite bath ensures a private space to enjoy the Bay views. $2,495,000

147 TAMPA AVE E, VENICE Incredible 2/2 penthouse featuring 3505 WHITE LANE, SARASOTA views of Roberts Bay & the Gulf of Mexico. Remarkable upgrades of this property include built in cabinetry in the office, faux finishes, plaster crown molding, marble tile floors from Italy, Onyx counter tops, remote control window treatments and fireplace and additional sound proofing for the sliders and windows. Also included is a private garage.

$969,000

Gorgeous Arthur Rutenberg 4 bed, 3 full/2 half bath home on the Hansen Bayou! Easy boating access to the Intracoastal. Gourmet kitchen with gas range, solid wood cabinetry, granite counter tops, custom backsplash, top of the line appliances & wine refrigeration. Outdoor living area with kitchen & fireplace, Infinity Pool with waterfall, spa, 60’ Dock w/lift (10k lb.) boat & (2) jet skis, Pella windows, Loft/Bonus Room. Furnishings & jet skis are negotiable. $2,274,900

MORTGAGES MADE EASY Conventional | FHA | VA | USDA JUMBO | Reverse Mortgage Purchase Reverse Mortgage Refinance

A Southwest Florida Trusted Direct Lender

OVER 2.2 BILLION FUNDED IN 2015

(941) 361-1280

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2716 Fruitville Road Sarasota, FL 34237 www.BOEFlorida.com This is not a commitment to lend or extend credit. All loans are subject to credit approval including credit worthiness, insurability, and ability to provide acceptable collateral. Not all loans or products are available in all states or counties.

Bank of England is not affiliated with Keller Williams, Coffey & Company, or any government agency. Bank of England Mortgage is a division of Bank of England. NMLS 418481. Member FDIC.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

Dating FROM PAGE 20

Photos by Amanda Morales

Betty Comara and Vince Laganga mingle during a five-minute date.

Daters made their way to their assigned seating. Tables 1 through 12 were each occupied by two women and two men. Before the dates officially began, tablemates were already striking up conversations.

The rattling of a tambourine signified the start of each date.

Peg Guy, 80, wasn’t nervous as she scanned the room in preparation for her first date.

She was hoping to find someone who can keep with her active lifestyle that includes weekly French classes and visiting her daughter in Alaska.

After her second husband

Author Ben Alexander, of Lakewood Ranch, uses a book he wrote to strike up conversation with Lois Davis, of Sarasota.

died, she never tried online dating or matchmaking, but something in the email about the senior speed dating event piqued her interest.

“It sounded fun,” she said. “I think that you first have to put it out in the universe and say, ‘I’m here.’”

She struck up a conversation with a man who suggested they make a tennis date. He took her number but didn’t give her his contact information.

“I would be surprised if I heard anything from him,” Guy said several days after the event. “That’s the first time I’ve ever been to anything like that.”

The loud chatter made it difficult to hear, forcing some participants to lean closer to their potential partners.

All attendees were given a list of suggested questions.

“What do you do?” was a common question, often asked jokingly.

“I’m retired,” was usually the answer.

“Do you have grandkids?” was another common inquiry.

When just one minute remained, the tambourine’s ring warned that it was time to wrap it up. The men then rotated to the next table, while the ladies waited for their next suitor.

One challenge of organizing senior speed dating is finding enough men — and that’s not just because there are fewer men among older age groups.

Event coordinator Patricia McMahon finds that men can be harder to attract, in part because they tend to be “overly weary.”

“Some of these women have

ALL THE SINGLE LADIES ...

Finding a balance between male and female attendees was a challenge for organizers of the Stir It Up 60+ Speed Dating.

The problem: So many single senior ladies, but not so many single senior gentlemen.

It’s the result of the lower life expectancy men have and, of course, the imbalance isn’t limited to Sarasota. The 2010 U.S. Census showed there were 40.3 million people ages 65 and older.

The Census found there were 89 men per 100 women among those ages 65 to 69.

For those 90 and older, there were just 38 men per 100 women.

“It sounded fun.

I think that you first have to put it out in the universe and say, ‘I’m here.’”

– Peg Guy, 80, on participating in the speed dating event

Ryan Sheck

We’re

REALTOR®

COLDWELL BANKER RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

We’re

941.713.5026 teresiab333@msn.com

(863)581 - 4005 Cell (941)383 - 6411 Office (941)383 - 3180 Fax 209016

Teresia |Bradford REALTOR

201 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Ste. 1, Longboat Key, FL 34228 Owned and Operated by NRT, LLC

FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY to own an affordable condo with beach to bay access. 2BR/1.5BA is ready to update to your taste. One of the few condos w/a garage! Make this your home on the key! $285,000

RyanSheck.CBInTouch.com Ryan.Sheck@FloridaMoves.com

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LONGBOAT KEY – Gulf front home on 1+acres. Pool, spa, 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths ...$3,775,000 SARASOTA MAINLAND – Situated on a 2 acre site, this waterfront home has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, pool, spa, 3 car garage ....................................................................PENDING $599,000 OPEN FULL BAY VIEW! Updated 2BR/2BA condominium in desirable Runaway Bay. Beautifully furnished, spacious rooms, new A/C & water heater. Great investment! $369,000

GREAT GULF TO BAY pet friendly community! Spacious 2/2 condo with lots of updates & nice Bay view. Heated pool, boat slips, tennis courts, kayak launch, beach access and more! $419,900

LONGBOAT KEY – Beautifully landscaped, charming Village home. 2 bedrooms plus office, 2 baths, 2 car garage. Walk to bay, beach, restaurants ......................................SOLD $549,000 WINDWARD BAY – direct bay front 2/2 residence with LG bonus room, excellent amenities including tennis, pools, pickle ball, docks, deeded beach access. 2 small pets allowed.....PENDING $379,000 WINDWARD BAY – 2 bedroom renovated villa with view of the Bay................ SOLD

449,000

$

STUNNING 2/2 BAY FRONT PENTHOUSE, totally renovated. This residence is in a community that offers deeded beach access, 2 pools, tennis courts, boat docks and much more. Offered furnished.......................................................................................................................... SOLD $449,000

207569

SPECTACULAR BAY VIEWS from this updated 2BR/2BA beach inspired get-away. Bring your boat and launch it right at your boat slip. $529,900 For Longboat Key’s Premier Property Management Services Call 941-383-5577

FANTASTIC GULFSIDE COMPLEX offering many activities for all! This lovely 2BR/2BA, first floor unit has a view of the tennis courts. Plenty of space for families & entertaining. $499,000

PROUD CONTRIBUTOR TO THE MSC FOUNDATION AND MEMBER OF THE MSC FOUNDATION ADVISORY COUNCIL

BOBBIE BANAN, REALTOR®

356-2659 • 383-2659 • bobbiebanan@michaelsaunders.com

Michael Saunders & Company Licensed Real Estate Broker

St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, FL (941) 388-4447

170233

FAIRWAY BAY 2BR/2BA CONDO with large private terrace overlooking Sarasota Bay. Remodeled kitchen with granite counters. Amenities include private beach, tennis & pickelball courts. Close to St. Armands Circle. $459,000

Ambassador’s Circle

BEAUTIFUL DEEP WATER LOT in the secluded community of Hideaway Bay on LBK. Cul-de-sac peninsula style lot with deep sailboat water on 3 sides. Great location to build your dream home. $995,000 Nightly and weekly rentals available: 941-387-8344

www.WagnerRealty.com

5360 Gulf of Mexico Dr. Suite 101, in the Centre Shops, Longboat Key | 941.383.5577

LV9930

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

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Luxury Service • Strategic Marketing • Benchmark Results

#1 LONGBOAT KEY REAL ESTATE TEAM

FEATURED LISTING Peter Koral and Linda Lunn take a turn on the dance floor following their speed dates.

Brian Connolly and Nancy Wingerter pair up on the dance floor.

WATER CLUB #506

been married for so long,” she said. “The men start to question, do they even like anyone after that? The women are thinking it will be so much fun.”

Guy also knows the challenges of meeting single senior men.

“Unless you’re part of a church group or an active volunteer, we’re limited sometimes in how you expand your circle of acquaintances,” Guy said. “Men have more freedom and ability to go out and meet more people.

We’re the ones who cling back. I think that’s the perception that still exists out there with people our age.”

As the speed dates winded down, there was another chance for the seniors to connect: A dance followed the speed dating.

Davis — the dater who held her cards close at the beginning of the night — was still clutching all 12 cards. But she hadn’t given up.

“When I find someone I do like, I’m just going to slip my card right in his pocket,” she said.

But as she left Table 12, she admitted that someone caught her eye.

“He’s cute,” Davis said of a man she met on a date.

By the end of the night, he had the winning card: one of Davis’ business cards with her name and phone number.

“I almost fainted when he said he was 95 because he’s really spry,” Davis said. “He lost his wife six months ago. But he said on Wednesday night that was the first evening that he had really enjoyed in six months.”

Step out into the private foyer and enter this 3 bedroom/3 bath south tower residence at the Water Club. Enjoy the turquoise waters through floor to ceiling windows during the day and captivating sunsets at night. The open kitchen offers custom cabinetry, wine refrigeration, upgraded appliances and water views from all angles. Water Club offers pampering amenities including 24 hour concierge service, a clubhouse with library, lounge, fitness center and an Olympic size pool and spa.

ATRIUM AT FAIRWAY BAY

941.928.2339

TOP $ PAID

GRAND BAY #456

$1,695,000

BAY ISLES HARBOR SECTION

$1,950,000

COUNTRY CLUB SHORES

$1,995,000

INN ON THE BEACH #4605/06

$1,389,000

WATER CLUB #407

$1,399,000

Visit us at www.longboatlife.com for more info on our properties.

194489

FOR CLASSIC AND MUSCLE CARS

100 Car Enclosed Showroom

$699,000

Michael Saunders & Company 440 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228 PH 941.387.0100

ianaddy@michaelsaunders.com gailwittig@michaelsaunders.com /addywittigteam

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/athomesarasota

207463

1683 Cattlemen Road

,000 5 7 7 , $1

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

REID MURPHY Luxury on the Water www.reidmurphy.com

Call REID Today!

941.232.3304

LUXURIOUS KEY WEST STYLE LBK HOME

Private Enclave Mid Longboat Key 3BR/3.5BA Home

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LOOKING AHEAD MONDAY, JULY 4

FREEDOM FEST What: Celebrate the Fourth of July with the world’s shortest parade. In addition to the quarter-mile parade, the event will include games for children and a dog costume contest. Call 383-2466.

When: 9 a.m. Monday, July 4 Where: Bicentennial Park, 2730 Gulf of Mexico Drive

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FRIDAY JULY 8 TO SUNDAY, JULY 10

GULF FRONT CONDO $540,000 Updated 2BD/2BA Southern exposure in dog friendly Longbeach Village. Pool, Tennis & Beach.

BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME ON LONGBOAT KEY $830,000 Wide canal lot on Dream Island Rd. Direct bay access.

A boater’s paradise!

BEAUTIFUL LBK CANAL $995,000 Privacy plus a beautiful canal with direct Bay access.

3BD/3BA bright & open with elevator.

BOATERS DREAM $1,395,000 Lush & private 3BR/2BA home 1/2+acre across street from beach. Dock with lift on wide canal.

PE

IN ND

NETWORKING @ NOON Takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Tommy Bahama, 300 John Ringling Blvd. Enjoy lunch while networking with chamber members. Cost is $25 for members; $35 for nonmembers. Call 383-2466.

RECURRING EVENTS Aging in Paradise Resource Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, RSVP to maryannbrady@aginginparadise.org or 383-6493.

FRIDAYS OPERATION KINDNESS COMMUNITY NIGHT Takes place at Café L’Europe, 431 St. Armands Circle. Operation Kindness Florida Inc., which raises funds for veterans who have sustained emotional and physical injuries while in service, will receive 20% of the evening’s proceeds. For reservations, call 388-4415 and mention Operation Kindness.

$1,215,000 CE

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13

TUESDAY, JULY 5

Pool, Spa & Deeded Beach.

Gorgeous sunsets from the decks.

U ED

YOUR CALENDAR

24

LIONFISH DERBY Takes place at Mote Marine Laboratory’s WAVE Center, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway. Help collect the invasive and ecologically disruptive lionfish in the Gulf of Mexico in the third annual three-day competition. Teams will compete for more than $3,500 in cash prizes. Cost is $120 per team; the weigh-in from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday is free. Registration is required at mote.org/lionfishderby.

BEGINNERS BRIDGE OR REFRESHER COURSE Takes place from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Coffee and cookies are provided. Cost is $10.

All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church, 563 Bay Isles Road. Call 383-8161.

TUESDAYS

ROTARY CLUB OF LONGBOAT KEY Meets at 5:15 p.m. Cost is $8. Call John Brill, 383-1210.

Longboat Key Club Tavern and Whiskey Bar, 3110 Harbourside Drive

THURSDAYS

KIWANIS CLUB OF LONGBOAT KEY Meets at 7:30 a.m. Cost is $10 and includes a breakfast buffet.

Call Donna at 388-2847.

LIST WITH LOUIS Sav v y. Discre et. Proven.

G

LOUIS WERY 941.232.3001 louis.wery@sothebysrealty.com

CUSTOM HOME ON DEEP WATER $2,100,000 Casually elegant professionally decorated 4BR/5BA north LBK. Open Bay views with 40’ dock & new lift.

SO

INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD $2,200,000 Country Club Shores w/ expansive Bay views & deepwater dock. Build your dream home on LBK!

MAGNIFICENT LBK BAYFRONT $4,495,000 Magnificent Bayfront Spectacular Skyline Views Deep Water Dockage & seven car garage.

ESSEX HOUSE 707 S. Gulfstream Avenue #904 • $599,000

Languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian

LD

HAWKS HARBOR 7052 Hawks Harbor Circle • $1,750,000

ST. ARMANDS 44 S. Washington Drive • $1,475,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH COUNTRY CLUB

CASEY KEY

7327 Greystone Street • $1,549,000

2116 Casey Key Road • $4,850,000

BEAUTIFUL BEACH FRONT HOME $2,495,000 Secluded one-of-a-kind mid-key. Unobstructed Gulf views. Great amenities. Perfect for entertaining.

STUNNING BAYFRONT HOME $4,995,000 Custom Built w/ amazing views extraordinary finishes.

Boat dock & deeded beach access on LBK. 207512

Developers Realty Inc. Lic. R.E. Broker • 1266 1st St., Suite 9, Sarasota, FL 34236

PREMIERSOTHEBYSREALTY.COM Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Property information herein is derived from various sources including, but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate.

203581

WHITAKERS LANDING LOT ON DEEP WATER $1,750,000 One lot from Bay w/100 ft seawall on a deep channel.

Gated community of luxury homes. Beautiful views.

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

File photos

Olivia Bliss shows her spirit at the 2015 Longboat Key Freedom Fest Parade.

Freedom Fest delivers traditions, new attractions Dogs and children are the stars in the Longboat Key Freedom Fest Parade.

SAM WEAVER CONTRIBUTOR

The Longboat Key Freedom Fest Parade travels barely a quarter of a mile along Bay Isles Road. It’s so short the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce bills it as “the shortest parade in the world.”

But Freedom Fest’s local charisma has made it a beloved tradition.

“It’s the cutest thing you’ve ever seen,” said Chamber of Com-

merce President Gail Loefgren.

This year, the chamber is introducing a new element to the event. Designed to increase local business participation, Loefgren hopes to incorporate a “most patriotic business float” contest.

The reward is a $500 cash prize offered by David Miller, owner of Cannons Marina. However, business participation will have to increase from last year’s showing of just three business floats.

“We need at least 10 to do this,”

Loefgren said.

A business float can be anything from a decorated bicycle to a car or boat and should be registered with the chamber.

In addition to old favorites such as face painting and the butterfly release, the annual post-parade celebration will also feature new attractions, including an ice cream truck and a balloon artist.

This year’s parade will also feature a local celebrity participant: Mrs. Florida America Rachael Neudecker, who will represent Florida in the Mrs. America pageant in August.

For the third year, The Longboat Key Rotary Club will host the Hot Diggity Dog! Parade and Contest, in which Longboat residents and their dogs dress up in patriotic attire and compete for prizes.

Organizers will name winners in three categories: most patriotic dog, most creative dog costume, and best owner and dog combination. Winners will receive gourmet dog treats donated by the Resort at Longboat Key Club.

The Rotary Club started the dog parade in 2014 as a way of organizing local dog owners to support the construction of an offleash dog park at Bayfront Park, which has since been approved.

The dog contest has the additional benefit of attracting more children to Freedom Fest.

“The dogs brought the kids, who dressed up with them,” said Rotary Club President Carol Erker.

Last year’s Hot Diggity Dog! contest drew 35 canine participants. Erker hopes to see attendance increase again this year.

Loefgren is pleased with the dog parade’s contribution to Freedom Fest’s local charm.

“The dogs and the kids are the best,” Loefgren said.

|

25

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

Janet Walter with Buck at last year’s Freedom Fest Parade

IF YOU GO When: 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, July 4; parade lineup begins at 8:30 a.m.

Where: The parade will be on Bay Isles Road; post-parade celebration will be at Bicentennial Park, 2730 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

For more information or to volunteer, purchase a flag or enter a business float, call 3832466.

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce is seeking volunteers for the Freedom Fest celebration in Bicentennial Park to help with games, selling and taking tickets for food and beverages, and performing other tasks. To volunteer, call the chamber at 383-2466.

BRUCE MYER

941.387.1847 | Bruce@BruceMyer.com

OVER 36 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE SELLING LUXURY REAL ESTATE T JUS ED! T LIS

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ATRIUM- 2110 Harbourside Dr #512 Breathtaking panoramic views of Sarasota Bay from this 3BR/2BA condo featuring Seabed Travertine floors, updated kitchen and an oversized walk down Terrace. $859,000

SABAL COVE - 3318 Sabal Cove Lane 3BR+Den/4.5BA pool home on lake setting with soaring ceilings and an oversized garage. $1,399,000

BAYOU- 3281 Bayou Sound 3BR+ Den/3.5BA canal home with pool, 80’ dock, 25,000 lb lift, 2-story lanai and 2 car garage. $1,349,000

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T JUS ED! T LIS

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ISLANDER CLUB- 2295 Gulf of Mexico Dr. #23S Fabulous 2nd floor Gulf front views from every room of this furnished 2BR/2BA residence at the Islander Club! $639,000

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ISLANDER CLUB- 2295 Gulf of Mexico Dr #45S Furnished updated 2BR /2BA condominium is located on the 4th floor and facing towards Sarasota Bay. NEW A/C, WATER HEATER, WINDOWS AND SLIDERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. $424,500

HARBOUR OAKS - 2115 Harbourside Drive #1004 3BR/2BA with 2 car garage and elevated views over the Harbourside course. $399,000

PLAYERS CLUB- 1485 Gulf of Mexico Dr #407 2BR/2BA condominium with Gulf views from this pleasantly sized terrace. $549,000

T OR SH LE! SA

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HARBOUR OAKS - 2175 Harbourside Drive #504 Elevated 3BR/2.5BA home with views over the Harbourside Golf Course. $349,000

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WHITNEY BEACH- 6701 Gulf of Mexico Dr #329 Direct Gulf access, 2nd floor furnished coastal retreat! One of the best views in this delightful 1BR/1BA Condominium. $549,000

26

REAL ESTATE

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

Water Club condo sells for $3.5 million ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

condominium in the Water Club tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.

Judith Pursley and Laurence Weigand, trustees, of Allen, Ind., sold the Unit 1002 condominium at 1281 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Donna Feeney, trustee, of Ontario, Canada, for $3.5 million. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, fourand-a-half baths and 3,435 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $3.21 million in March.

L’AMBIANCE AT LONGBOAT KEY CLUB

Gordon Paterson, of Longboat Key, sold his Unit M-508 condominium at 435 L’Ambiance Drive to Gay and Steven Sacharoff, of Longboat Key, for $2.95 million. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, three baths, two half-baths and 3,220 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $2.85 million in 2006.

POSITANO

Marijo and Anthony Martin, trustees, sold the Unit 303 condominium at 4975 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Timothy and Debra Williams, of Longboat Key, for $2.65 million. Built in

2007, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 3,123 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $2,531,200 in 2006.

BEACHPLACE

Faruk and Aziza Karimi sold their Unit 402 condominium at 1145 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Charles and Joanne Chada, of Rochester, N.Y., for $730,000.

Built in 1980, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,392 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $1.3 million in 2005.

BEACHPLACE II

Craig Tate and Judith Nettleton-Tate, of South Yorkshire, United Kingdom, sold their

Unit 204 condominium at 1075 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Michael and Tina Calvo, of Windermere, for $565,000.

Built in 1981, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,503 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $520,000 in 2003.

BEACHPLACE III

John and Emilia Cowan, of Ontario, Canada, sold their Unit 102 condominium at 1085 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Joseph and Marion Lorenzo, of Washington, N.J., for $550,000. Built in 1981, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,392 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $400,000 in 2014.

WINDWARD BAY

Frederick and Carol Fillmore, of West Lafayette, Ind., sold their Unit PH-4 condominium at 4600 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Steven and Robin Kacel, of Highland Park, Ill., for $429,000. Built in 1975, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 1,096 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $425,000 in 2008.

Todd Burmeister, of Minneapolis, sold his Unit 202 condominium at 4540 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Steven and Cheryl Jones, of Orlando, for

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

JUNE 6 - JUNE 10

$262,500. Built in 1975, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 1,096 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $250,000 in 2007.

FAIRWAY BAY II

Bernard and Marjorie Phillips, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 1602 condominium at 2002 Harbourside Drive to Norman Monhait and Marcia Halperin, of Wilmington, Del., for $380,000. Built in 1985, it has two bedrooms, two-anda-half baths and 1,598 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $225,000 in 1997.

CEDARS EAST

John Raftis, of Ontario, Canada, sold his Unit 34 condominium at 847 Evergreen Way to Michael and Cynthia Pietsch, of Longboat Key, for $285,000. Built in 1991, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,440 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $204,000 in 2001.

LIDO KEY

JOHN RINGLING ESTATES

Kimberly and Mitchell Ruzek, of Sarasota, sold their home at 161 S. Polk Drive to Kurt and Jessica O’Brien, of Windermere, for $3.2 million. Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, three baths, two half-baths, a pool and 4,617 square feet of living area.

566 Jessmyth Drive A4109336 $1,950,000 Tina Rudek, Pa

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-920-0303

1241 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 506 A4142618 $1,775,000 Ian Addy Pa

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-961-8850

3010 Grand Bay Boulevard 456 A4156194 $1,695,000 Ian Addy Pa

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-961-8850

535 Sanctuary Drive C507 A4151684 $1,595,000 Carol Cohen Pa

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-356-3829

1415 Westway Drive A4119693 $6,999,999 Beverly St Hilaire

535 Sanctuary Drive C108 A4147214 $1,395,000 Carol Cohen Pa

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-356-3829

210 Sands Point Road 2001 A4107506 $1,050,000 Ian Addy Pa

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-961-8850

1211 Center Place A4127520 $949,000 Christina Landry

Lido Key 941-388-4447 941-376-4498

360 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 313 A4139706 $895,000 Francoise Borel

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-228-3768

601 Longboat Club Road 203S A4122120 $875,000 Maureen Horn

Donald Fleming, trustee, and Safford Fleming, of Sarasota, sold the home at 470 N. Washington Drive to Charles and Karen Haff, of Edina, Minn., for $1,775,000. Built in 1985, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,495 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $1.61 million in 2012.

LIDO HARBOUR SOUTH

Katharine Butler, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 409 condominium at 2110 Benjamin Franklin Drive to James and Elizabeth Cox, of Sarasota, for $650,000.

Built in 1968, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,607 square feet of living area.

KINGSTON ARMS

Elizabeth Starrett, of Boston, sold her Unit 11A condominium at 500 S. Washington Drive to Catherine Coffield, of Sarasota, for $375,000. Built in 1963, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,034 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $325,000 in 2012.

BIRD KEY J&M Eldred Realty LLC sold the home at 510 Spoonbill Way to David and Martha Campbell, of Sarasota, for $2,027,500.

Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,422 square feet of living area.

Lido Key 941-388-4447 941-504-3303

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-539-3384

2425 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 5F A4152403 $809,000 Mel & Jan Goldsmith

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-356-6673

O

ur exclusive global connections place our entire collection in front of millions of prospective buyers and increase awareness of Florida’s Gulf Coast as an incomparable destination.

LOCAL LEGACY. GLOBAL VISION. 3310 Bayou Road A4155203 $809,000 Ryan Heers

641 Ranger Lane A4138569 $5,850,000 Michael Moulton

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-726-1703

392 Firehouse Lane A4145219 $775,000 Mary Defrank

®

®

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-544-0214

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-928-3559

2425 Gulf Of Mexico Dr # 5 A3995790 $735,000 Mel & Jan Goldsmith

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-356-6673

801 Bayport Way 801 A4151581 $699,000 Robert Dardas

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-376-7591

2159 Harbourside Drive 801 A4155328 $699,000 Jenifer Schwell

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-780-0968

101 Ben Franklin Drive 84 A4155250 $665,000 Douglas Parks

Sarasota 941-388-4447 941-400-9087

5393 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 208 A4146837 $584,000 Cathy Meldahl

Longboat Key 941-383-5502 941-724-7228

1000 Longboat Club Road 603 A4121022 $499,000 Catherine De’Ath

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-350-9799

615 Dream Island Road 308 A4110859 $475,000 Sylvia Zimmerman

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-350-5022

2000 Harbourside Drive 1504 A4119984 $450,000 Tammy Mast

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-256-6543

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

|

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

27

TOP BUILDING PERMITS These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of June 9-15, in order of dollar amounts.

L O N G B OAT K E Y ADDRESS PERMIT 3010 Grand Bay Blvd.

Concrete repair 675 Longboat Club Road Interior 1211 GMD Interior 742 Bayport Way Interior 4765 GMD Interior

2242 Harbour Court Drive Interior 2018 Harbourside Drive Office and

break room 5981 Emerald Harbor Drive Interior 1965 GMD Interior 548 Outrigger Lane Re-roof 3950 GMD Re-roof 2123 Harbourside Drive Kitchen 510 Forest Way Windows 1540 Harbor Cay Lane Lift-davit 2913 GMD Re-roof 2525 GMD Master bath 2721 GMD Door slabs 450 GMD Floating kayak dock 541 Chipping Lane Garage door 4485 GMD Hurricane shutters

21 Twin Shores Blvd.

Re-roof 2155 Harbourside Drive Bathroom 2055 GMD Kitchen 501 Hornblower Lane Framing 3155 GMD Entry door 500 Wedge Lane Certificate of occupancy

APPLICANT AMOUNT Grand Bay condo $509,000 675 Longboat Club Road $235,900 Gerald Felicelli $200,000 Deborah Chapin-Horowitz $190,625 Orchid on Longboat $121,618 Key LLC Laurence Hall $116,000 Fairway Bay Condo $80,000 Association Inc. Mark Yahn $31,000 Gary Kemper $30,000 Alan Burkhard $26,139 Shekhar Tewatia $22,979 Stephen Sullivan $22,000 James Holbrook $19,000 Timothy Clarke $12,000 David Odenath $10,900 Gino Morelli $7,479 Beachcomber condo $6,900 James Matalone $6,000 Vincente Baez $5,010 Romanoff Family $4,845 Limited Partnership Dale Ross $4,764 Janet Malis $3,375 Neal Hall $3,400 Audrey Roebling $2,400 Bradley Winer $600 Douglas Danko n/a

5060 Gulf Of Mexico Drive A4145711 $8,200,000 Beverly St Hilaire

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-504-3303

1560 Harbor Cay Lane A4128433 $5,495,000 Ian Addy Pa

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-961-8850

6051 Gulf Of Mexico Dr A3983113 $3,950,000 Ann Martin & Joanna Benante

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-356-7717

6695 Gulf Of Mexico Drive A4128398 $3,775,000 Bobbi Banan

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-356-2659

529 Putter Lane A4136340 $3,495,000 Michael Moulton

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-928-3559

3060 Grand Bay Boulevard PH1102 A4144965 $3,150,000 Eileen (Dee Dee) Burke

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-266-8949

580 Chipping Lane A4143578 $2,795,000 Mackenzie Longueuil & Pat Mudgett

Longboat Key 941-951-6660 941-961-4023

1621 Harbor Cay Lane A4141405 $2,750,000 Sylvia Zimmerman

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-350-5022

741 Hideaway Bay Drive A4103504 $2,500,000 Saint Cacchiotti & Marie Monsky

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-809-0787

1111 Ritz Carlton Drive 1603 A4144744 $2,500,000 Valerie Telfair

Sarasota 941-388-4447 941-315-5488

560 Chipping Lane A4125400 $1,995,000 Ian Addy Pa

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-961-8850

Source: Town of Longboat Key

4960 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 303 A4154649 $399,000 Sharon Freeman

6700 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 101 A4155491 $359,900 Jenine Meyer

3802 Gulf Of Mexico Drive A205 A4140143 $264,500 Bobbi Banan

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-545-0899

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-266-8303

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-356-2659

4800 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 204 A4141963 $379,000 Bobbi Banan

527 Sutton Place A4119419 $299,900 Anna Kaminski

3806 Gulf Of Mexico Drive C306 A4134976 $244,950 Stephen Harris

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-356-2659

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-374-3200

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-780-2352

4621 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 13D A4147872 $379,000 Laura Jaret

4370 Chatham Drive 205 A4155893 $287,000 Malihe Karimi

4770 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 4770 A4150614 $189,000 Susan Fox

Longboat Key 941-383-5502 941-538-2910

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-386-5099

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-544-6648

VA C AT I O N R E N TA L S 6633 Gulf Of Mexico Dr A3989550 $19,900,000 Deborah Beacham

Mid Longboat 383.5502 • South Longboat 383.7591 • St. Armands 388.4447

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-376-2688

White Sands of Longboat whitesandsoflongboat.com 800.230.2428

203922

Veranda Beach Club verandabeachclub.com 800.411.5511

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

“I’m so happy, I can hear my TV clearly for the first time in 10 years!”

She was so grateful, she even made me a tuna fish sandwich!

TERESA LORINO of Winter Park, 104 years young.

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SARASOTA SOUTH

MELBOURNE/ PALM BAY/ BEACHES 321-610-8970

VENICE BEACH

MELBOURNE/ MERRITT ISLAND SUNTREE/VIERA

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(Next to YMCA)

321-610-7972

4250 S Tamiami Trail Venice, FL 34293 (Corner 941-496-7600 of 520/Sykes Cr.

Next to AT&T)

321-735-4942

207692

28

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

FORECAST FRIDAY, JUNE 24 High: 90 Low: 76 Chance of rain: 50%

SATURDAY, JUNE 25 High: 90 Low: 76 Chance of rain: 50%

SUNDAY, JUNE 26 High: 90 Low: 76 Chance of rain: 30%

SUNRISE / SUNSET

Visit YourObserver.com to submit your local weather or nature-related photos. One grand prize winner will receive a $2,500 flooring makeover.* In addition, $1 will be donated to Project Traverse for every photo submitted, up to $2,500. Read more about Project Traverse at Facebook.com/ProjectTraverse. *Grand prize winner must own a home in Sarasota County or Manatee County.

ONLINE

Submit your photos at YourObserver.com/weather

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, June 23

6:36a

8:28p

Friday, June 24

6:37a

8:29p

Saturday, June 25

6:37a

8:29p

Sunday, June 26

6:37a

8:29p

Monday, June 27

6:38a

8:29p

Tuesday, June 28

6:38a

8:29p

Wednesday, June 29

6:38a

8:29p

MOON PHASES

June 27 Last

TIDES Shelley Barker captured this shot of a Longboat Key sunset.

29

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

WEATHER

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

|

July 11 First

July 4 New

Highs

July 19 Full

Lows

Thursday, June 23

3:58a ­1:55p

8:08a

10:20p

Friday, June 24

4:34a 2:44p

9:08a 11:02p

Saturday, June 25

5:14a 3:41p

10:19a 11:47p

Sunday, June 26

5:56a 4:49p 11:43a

Monday, June 27

6:39a 6:14p 12:33a 1:13p

Tuesday, June 28

7:23a 7:55p

1:20a 2:41p

Wednesday, June 29

8:07a

2:08a

9:40p

—

3:58p

and Facebook.com/ObserverGroup

a reflection of nature’s beauty Awarded 2014 National MOHAWK Dealer of the Year!

4551 N. Washington Blvd.,Sarasota • 941.355.8437 | 2510 1st Street W., Bradenton • 941.748.4679 | 1734 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice • 941.493.7441

CROSSWORD

ANIMAL HOUSE by Timothy E. Parker wildcat 97 “He’s ___ nowhere man” (Beatles lyric) 98 Crockett’s cap material 102 Some horror-film creatures 104 Biggest portion 106 Cheese in a ball 107 Benjamin Moore product 108 Speak to a large crowd 109 Breeds or varieties 110 “The Untouchables” man 111 Some six-packs 112 ___ Hall University 113 Aphid, to a fruit tree

DOWN

©2016 Universal Uclick

32 Robe “cloth” 33 “Frasier” actress Gilpin 01 “Real” and “alcohol” 34 Computer key endings 37 Land parcel 05 “Sesame Street” 38 Sultry summer grouch stretches 10 Moshe of Israel 15 Provides with weapons 41 Online shoppers might spend it 19 History Muse 42 Rainless and desper20 Cheek makeup ately dry 21 Lift the spirits of 43 Ocean traffic lane 22 In ___ of (replacing) 45 “___ all in your mind” 23 Stock-price elevator 47 Egyptian Christian 25 One pretending to be 48 Navy commando powerful 49 Competes 27 Fair to middling 50 Provide with an over28 Emulates a lion 30 Give up the occupancy of head surface 51 Legendary boxer 31 Way to be noted

ACROSS

201895

www.manasotaonline.com

52 Like an ear-piercing sound 54 Frau’s partner 55 Large stringed instrument 56 Swerve wildly 58 Piano-key material 60 Source of light 61 Thing hanging around the house 62 Toot one’s own horn 63 Puts on paint lightly 64 “Nonsense!”

67 Art capable of 68 Imaginary monsters 72 Like some angles 73 Big name in stereo speakers

01 Certain ballistic missile 02 Pivot around a pole 03 Balmy, as weather 04 Most dependable or upstanding 05 Delphi VIP 06 Apologetic 07 Salad veg.

08 “Act your ___!”

09 Certain tire 10 Leaves 11 Wing-shaped (var.)

12 Runs off at the mouth 13 Consumed 14 Sarin, for one 15 Silverstone of films 16 Letts’ place 17 Track get-together 18 Certain 74 Horse-drawn carriage 24 River’s end 76 “Welcome” bearer 26 After the bell 77 Microscope part 29 “Lord of the Rings” 78 Change for a twenty monster 79 “Nay” and “uh-uh” 80 Boxcar Willie’s persona 32 Pronounce an “r” like a Scot 81 Car nut?

33 Electricity 82 Astronomy Muse 84 Place to worship from 34 “Unleaded,” coffeewise 35 Bacteria discovered by 85 Red Square figure 86 Messy places on farms Theodor Escherich 36 lazuli (blue mineral) 88 Like white water 37 Chisholm, e.g.

90 Keystone of an arch 38 Grocery section 91 “You will ___” (hypno39 Triangular traffic sign tist’s phrase) 92 Specialized vocabulary 40 “It’s ___ Rock and Roll to Me” 93 Blacken with fire 42 Bird’s home way up 94 American leopardlike

high 44 Main or blessed thing 46 ___ gin fizz 48 Remove stubble 50 Perfume by burning 52 Not in the least original 53 “A Fistful of Dollars” director Sergio 54 Party throwers 55 Taxi driver (var.)

57 Tests by lifting 59 Undergrad degs.

60 Zoo enclosures 62 Operatic villains, often 63 German engraver Albrecht 64 Gloomy atmosphere 65 Freeze, as a windshield 66 Mushrooms and molds, e.g.

67 Directs the steering of a ship 68 Wide or spacious 69 Honor ___ thieves 70 Netanyahu’s predecessor 71 “Basic Instinct” star Sharon 73 Cecil’s pal in cartoons 75 Not suited to the job 78 Dangers for paragliders 80 Inheritance 82 Kind of violin stroke 83 Blotter statistics 84 Handsome hunks 85 Homebuyers’ needs, often 87 Manmade monsters 89 Khan’s title 90 Selected 92 Boxing venue 93 One thousand escudos 94 “A Prayer for ___ Meany” 95 Transfer ownership 96 Chapters of history 97 Very enthusiastic 98 Slicker or parka 99 Cabbagelike plant 100 Peeves 101 Crow’s creation 103 Seven-faced doctor of film 105 Anger

CRYPTOQUIZ Each of the following cryptograms is a clue to the identity of a beloved TV dad. Using the hints U=O and P=D, decipher the clues to name the character.

1. P U K B U Q 2. D U U P 3. W Z I N B I Q W 4. K M I F I Q 5. D H V V T He is a husband and father of five residing in Brooklyn:

SUDOKU

Solve the puzzle by placing the numbers 1 June 23 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.42) through 9 in each row, column and box.

2

5 7

9

6

2

9

8 6 1

3 2

1

2 6 5

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8

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9 06-23-16 June 23 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.42)

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June 23 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.42) Thursday, June 23, 2016

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

941-809-3660, 941-809-3662.

Condos/Apts. For Rent

JULY 4TH HOLIDAY EARLY DEADLINES

FURNISHED GOLF VILLA with membership privileges. Upscale, 2BR/2BA, 1 month minimum.

Long or short term. No pets. Non-smoking.

904-556-8900.

GOLDEN GATE POINT CONDO. 2BR/1BA, unfurnished, $1700/mo. Chuck, 303-944-8300.

L’AMBIANCE: LBK. Luxury beachfront 2BR/3BA. See details under Seasonal/Vacation rentals. View at: www.thephotos.smugmug.com

6 1

Homes For Sale

for July 7th Edition CLASSIFIED ADS Deadline Friday, July 1st, 2pm SERVICE DIRECTORY Deadline Thursday June 30th, 12:00pm The Observer will be CLOSED Monday, July 4th for the July 4th Holiday. We will reopen Tuesday, July 5th at 8:30am.

To Place Your Ad: Call 941-955-4888 or online at www.yourobserver.com/classifieds

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

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer.

941-955-4888 Or Email ad to: classified@yourobserver.com (Please provide your name and address) Or Online at: www.yourobserver.com Or mail to: The Observer Group P.O. Box 3169 Sarasota, Fl 34230

BUYERS - Call to see if you qualify for $2500+ towards your closing costs.

941-726-2677

9

West of Trail Home on Deep water yacht basin.

3BR/2.5BA, pool. $1,485,000.

Longboat Key House on Canal. Davits/ Dock. $495,000.

Longboat Key villa: pool, beach, 2BR/2BA +den, boat dock, furnished, $300,000.

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Luxury Downton Sarasota Condo: 2BR. $399,000.

Nokomis Waterfront Home with large bay view, used as duplex, 3-4BR, 3BA. $399,000.

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Vacant Buildable Lots: Sarasota from $65,000$1,500,000.

Sarasota Villa, 2BR/2BA on Golf Course, updated, $149,900.

Botanica in Palmer Ranch: 3BR/2.5BA, 2/car garage, over 2500/ft., private elevator. $519,900.

Antiques/Collectibles

Plantation Golf & County Club: 3BR/2BA w/pool, granite, stainless, completely renovated. $375,000.

Boat Slips For Rent/Sale HIGH & DRY indoor boat slip for sale or rent.

Excellent boating location. Up to 25/ft. Possible owner financing. Call 941-544-5597.

Boats Island Boat Sales 16 Years, Hundreds Of Boats Sold.

We Also Buy Boats & Clean Boats www.Islandboatsales.net Call Dave: 941-228-3489

River Place: gated community. Executive home, 4BR/3BA plus 2 office/dens, huge screened pool deck, kayak launch onto Braden river. $499,900.

Greenfield Plantation: 4BR/3BA, 3/car garage plus office and caged pool, fenced yard, granite on all counters. $375,000.

Brooke O’Malley, CLUB REALTY 941-726-2677

Lots/Acreage For Sale CANAL FRONT lot for sale by owner. Owner financing available to qualified buyer. 700 Tarawitt, LBK. $335,000. 941-730-9559.

Vacation/Seasonal Rentals

CASH FOR Old Military Items. Swords, uniforms, insignia & old guns. Call 941-416-3280.

LIDO BEACH HOUSE: 3BR/2BA, lanai, across from beach, walk to St. Armands.

No pets. Unfurnished. Available immediately.

Long term/Seasonal. 703-638-8128.

Personals

Team Up Today With Classifieds 941-955-4888

L’AMBIANCE, LONGBOAT KEY Beach front 2BR/3BA condo on high floor with wrap-around terrace, 270 degree views over the Gulf, Sarasota Bay and LBK Club. Sunrises, sunsets through floor to ceiling windows.

View at: www.thephotos.smugmug.com Call John at: 203-984-8477 or E-mail: garment@optonline.net

WEEKLY RENTALS. Luxurious, fully furnished 1 - 4 bedrooms. Condominiums and Cottages.

Beach to Bay. On-site management. Pools, tennis, boat slips. Visit: www.FloridaRent.com for information and virtual tours. 800-333-7335, 941-383-3117.

8

2

2

SHIP YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR SUV anywhere in the United States. Great rates, fast quotes. Call Hawley Motors, 941-923-3421.

Exceptional Vacation Rentals Since 1994 Homes & Condominiums Studios to Six Bedrooms Beachfront, Intercoastal or Garden Excellent Service & Staff FloRIDA VACATIon ConnECTIon www.Flvacationconnection.com 941-387-9709 877-705-2460

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1

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Auto Transport

Cleaning BLUE FISH CLEANING INC. 941-705-3812.

Insured, Bonded. Affordable reliable home cleaning, $80, 2 cleaners, 2 hours.

8

LIDO BEACH CONDOMINIUMS Weekly - Monthly - Seasonal

Computer Services

Resort Properties, Inc. Licensed Real Estate Broker Full Service Condominium Management

Cmagik - LBK resident, servicing our island year round for over 12 yrs. Bachelors Degree with 20 yrs. experience, PC or MAC. Professional help with computers, iPad/iPhones and tutoring.

References upon request.

Call Cort: 383-3878, 587-5588 cmagik.com

4 5

Accepting New Accounts for Management 941-650-1857 Visit us at: www.rpi-mgt.com

9

3 4

6

OWN A MAC/iPHONE/iPAD? MacTutor has 21+ years experience teaching Apple products.

I speak English, not “Geek”! (941) 323-2363 www.FLMacTutor.com

LONGBOAT KEY: TIFFANY PLAZA. Beachfront Condos, 1st floor, 2BR/2BA, W/D in units, free Wi-Fi, heated pool, covered parking. Call 941-383-3338.

General Contractors JOE UNGVARSKY Construction Inc. Designer / Remodeling Contractor 941−779−4630 #CRC035261

8

Items Up to $200 Sell for Free!

9

classifieds.yourobserver.com

“Your Home by the Sea” www.casadelmar.net

Weekly/Monthly Condominium Rentals 4 Night Minimum Reservations: 941-383-5549 Fax: 941-383-7925 Office Open 7 Days, 9a.m. - 5p.m.

4621 Gulf of Mexico Drive Longboat Key, FL 34228

This week’s Cryptoquiz answers 1) Doctor, 2) Food, 3) Sweaters 4) Clever, 5) Funny, Cliff Huxtable June 23 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.42) This week’s Sudoku answers

7

2 8 9 1

4 1

Fully equipped 2BR/2BA condos with washer and dryer, and wireless internet in each unit.

Extra Large Heated Gulf View Swimming Pool!

3 7

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9 3 4 6 5

OUR GUESTS RETURN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.

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1 Weekly/ Monthly/ Seasonal Rates Beachfront, Bayfront and In Between Houses or Condos

Merchandise Wanted

*ADOPTION*: Adoring Family, Successful Fashion Executive, Unconditional LOVE, & Laughter awaits 1st baby. FLBar42311 *Expenses paid*. *1-800-552-0045*

Vacation/Seasonal Rentals LUXURIOUS 2BR/2BA beachfront penthouse, Lido Key, wrap-around views, 3 lanais, new remodel, beautifully furnished. $6000/mo. 3/mo. min. $5000/4mo.+. 248-375-9027.

1

Port Charlotte: 2BR/2BA + Loft Townhouse. Water view, boat docks, $200,000.

9

Vacation/Seasonal Rentals

Venetian Golf & River Club: 3/2.5/2, pool. Built 2015. $399,000.

PURCHASING EAMES, Knoll, Danish, Dunbar, Evans, Laverne, Nakashima, Parzinger furniture, glass, pottery and designer clothing. Tommy McDonnell 772-643-3209.

WE BUY CARS. TOP $$ PAID FOR YOUR VEHICLES. Call Hawley Motors, 941-923-3421.

2

6

BEACHFRONTCONDO: 2BR/2BA with Murphy beds, steps to beach, pool and beautiful sunsets.

Fully furnished, new appliances, access to Wi-Fi, cable TV and tennis court. Includes all utilities.

1/mo. minimum. Available July 1st. to December 28th. Call 941-321-6052.

Longboat Key Condo with boat lift 10,000/lbs.

Wonderful views of Bay on Canal close to ICW, $375,000.

Sawgrass in Venice: gated community home on golf course, 2/master suites plus 3rd BR, 3/car garage. $499,000.

Autos Wanted

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This week’s Crossword answers

Reservations 941-383-6127 Visa/ MC 800-352-0367 5360 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Suite 101 Longboat Key, FL 34228 Rental office 9a.m. - 5p.m. M-F Ask about our special rates!

Wagner Realty Since 1939

www.wagnerrentals.com 2016

941-955-4888 941-955-4888

classifieds.yourobserver.com classifieds.yourobserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THE LONGBOAT OBSERVER Thursday, June 23, 2016 Painting/Wallpapering

JOHN GUBERNAT SERVICES Residential/ Commercial. Handyman Repairs, Roof Repairs, Coatings, Painting, Power Washing, Property Management, Home Watching. LBK Resident. Lic./Ins. 941-962-4867.

CARLO DATTILO PAINTING. Licensed & insured.

Interior/ Exterior painting including drywall repair and retexturing. Wallpaper installation & removal, pressure washing. Residential & commercial, condos. Honest & reliable. Free estimates.

941-744-1020. 35+ years experience.

Massage

ADVERTISE YOUR

Professional Services

Transportation

“TIME OUT� ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

MIKE THE LONGBOAT GUY AIRPORT TOWNCAR SERVICE

.....providing professional, interim concierge, receptionist, etc., assistance when your need it.

As low as $17.50 for 1 week!

941-955-4888 or classifieds.yourobserver.com

CALL 941-955-4888

PAINTING

Scotts Painting & Decorating LLC 941-228-9012

DEAD ON

INSTITUTE of INSPECTION CLEANING and RESTORATION

CERTIFICATION

TARGET

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

CERTIFIED FIRM

100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEED CLEANING

The Observer Service Directory

Mike Mailliard ~ Lacey Weaver Danielle Hrabos ~ Scott Hammersand Alex Sandoval ~ Matthew Mailliard 206823

(941) 927-2128

Carpet, Upholstery and Tile Floor Cleaning

LV10366

PLUMBING

595 Bay Isles Rd. Suite 215 941.554.8909 | www.micinsurance.com

CHRISTIE’S 778-3924

208466

199923

ServiceMaster of NW Sarasota & The Meadows Proudly serving Sarasota since 1987 Bill & Fonda Davies, Owners/Managers

Call 955-4888 to reserve your space

Home • Condo • Auto • Umbrella • Boat

PLUMBING

KITCHEN/BATH REMODELING

• REPAIRS & REMODELING • NEW CONSTRUCTION • EMERGENCY SERVICE • WATER HEATERS Family Owned & Operated • SEWER & DRAIN CLEANING 2 Florida State Cert. Master Plumbers #CFC1426596

RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL

Since 1975

CONCRETE Your Bathroom Safety Specialist

Custom Surfaces Inc.

Lifetime Guarantee

DECORATIVE SURFACES FOR: PATIOS, POOL DECKS, DRIVEWAYS, ENTRYWAYS

3675768-01

• POLY-PEBBLE / EPOXY • TEXTURED CONCRETE • RESEAL & REPAIRS • INTERLOCKING BRICK PAVERS Free Serving Sarasota 355-1148 Estimates Since 1979 SARASOTA • BRADENTON • VENICE

KEEP YOUR INDEPENDENCE!

INSTALLATION & CERTIFY

DEPENDABLE & ON TIME BACKFLOWS

207834

Licensed • Insured Lic. #25393

Installed Within 24-Hours

OR 778-4461

5508 MARINA DR., HOLMES BEACH • OPEN SAT

207839

204964

EXPERIENCE KNOWLEDGE SOLUTIONS

TILE / GROUT STAIN CONTROL

941.387.0607

Licensed and Insured • Since 1975 • Interior / Exterior Painting • Wallpaper Removal • Faux Finishes Sealing Paver Brick • Power Washing

208087

TRAVERTINE • MARBLE • GRANITE • SLATE • TERRAZZO Restorative Cleaning and Sealing / Stain Removal

www.fatcatcarpetcleaning.com

Classified Ads Bring Results 941-955-4888

INSURANCE

SPINERGY STONE CARE SOLUTIONS

CARPET / UPHOSTERY ODOR CONTROL

Office Hours: 8am -10pm Email: mikethelongboatguy@gmail.com Website: miketheislandguy.com

Place Your Ad Quickly

Get a discount when you run your ad in more than one Observer.

CARPET CLEANING

Great Service and Great Rates TPA $80 PIE $70 SRQ $35 (Gratuities not included.)

941-592-5972

941-351-1818 Joan Hill, Longboat Key E-mail: 1jfhill47@verizon.net

GARAGE SALE

MARINA’S HANDS Nurturing Your Skin With Swiss Nanotechnology at John Carl Spa 941-330-8000

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

Classifieds 31A

www.yourobserver.com

Home Improvement/ Remodeling

|

207836

WINDOWS WWW.DRGRABBARS.COM Licensed • Bonded • Insured Locally Owned & Operated

941.966.0333

LAWN CARE

Lic. & Ins.

724-2945

208835

3687676-01

USINESS B R U O Y W O GR ice Directory

Free Estimates Lawn & Landscape Maintenance

MOVERS

with Serv

s

105

25 $

STANDARD WINDOWS

LV10306

SPECIAL

FURNITURE REPAIR

10

5

+ Additional % OFF $ 00 For Senior Citizens

PATIO REPAIRS, INC PATIO REPAIRS 207838

206821 38056

FurnitureSales Sales &&Repairs Furniture Repairs Cushions • Slings • Re-powdercoating #USHIONS s 3LINGS s 5MBRELLAS

/54$//2 &52.)452% %80%243 s 777 0!4)/2%0!)23 .%4

INSURANCE

UP TO

Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

e, 955-4888 serve your spac Call today to re

941-504-0903

Lic./Ins.

dow & Pressure Cle t Win ani e s n ng nown as Sunrise Wind k y u l r e S ow orm F

CURT’s Lawn Service

373-9299

Res./Com.

INSURANCE

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941-284-5880

INSURANCE

SECUR-ALL INSURANCE AGENCY LP Missing: # 208836

510 BAY ISLES ROAD, SUITE 1 • LONGBOAT KEY, FL (INSIDE SUNTRUST BANK) CHUBB, AIG, UNIVERSAL, UNITED, SAFECO, PROGRESSIVE, FLOOD. WE HAVE YOU COVERED!

208836

941-383-3388 STOP BY AND MEET YOUR LOCAL AGENTS, SANDRA & GEORGE CESHKER

32

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

LUXURY ESTATE WATERFRONT PROPERTIES CALL (941) 387-1840 TODAY FOR YOUR EXCLUSIVE TOUR

1372 HARBOR DRIVE

3303 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE

“Lasata”, the Place of Peace. This spectacular home was designed by architect Bob Rokop to showcase panoramic views of Sarasota Bay and Big Pass, the twinkling lights of the Ringling Bridge and the skyline of downtown. Circular motifs incorporated into the design soften the home, adding to its allure. Luxurious details throughout the interior and exterior of this impressive home must be experienced first-hand. Call Roger today for an exclusive tour.

Savor the perfect end to any day by walking out to the pristine shores of the Gulf of Mexico in the backyard of this centrally-located home. With 100-feet of Gulf frontage, nearly 6,000 SF of interior space and a Gulf-front pool, this is a wonderful location on south Longboat Key. The expansive, split-level layout features an eat-in kitchen, formal living and dining rooms, as well as generous bedroom suites. Indulge in breathtaking sunset views everyday.

www.1372HarborDrive.com

www.3303GulfofMexicoDrive.com

$3,495,000

670 MOURNING DOVE DRIVE

620 MANGROVE POINT ROAD

1245 DERBY LANE

8008 MIDNIGHT PASS ROAD

Overflowing with charm and allure, this stunning home, offering more than 4,000 SF of designer living space in the exclusive community of Bird Key, will impress you. Built in 2006, this beautiful estate is ideally situated just three homes in from Sarasota Bay. www.670MourningDoveDrive.com $2,999,000

The Prairie-Modern design of this immaculate waterfront home includes upgrades from top to bottom, offering a four-bedroom layout and over 4,000 SF of interior space. The open lanai features a summer kitchen, heated swimming pool and raised spa with a mosaic tiled feature. www.620MangrovePoint.com $2,695,000

OPEN HOUSE: SUNDAY, 6/26, 2pm-4pm! This

OPEN HOUSE: THURSDAY, 6/23, 11am-2pm!

BAY ISLES 3340 Sabal Cove Lane

This expansive four-bedroom home offers a chance to enjoy a single-family lifestyle, offering tranquil lake views and deeded access to a private beach club. www.3340SabalCoveLane.com $1,395,000

3040 Grand Bay Boulevard #215

Endless views welcome you from this charming three-bedroom Biscayne, offering floor-to-ceiling walls of glass and an extended wraparound terrace. www.GrandBay215.com $829,000

LONGBOAT KEY

3170 Bayou Sound

6857 Gulf of Mexico Drive

2016 Harbourside Drive #334/335

1011 Longboat Club Road

Almost every facet of this four-bedroom, secluded home in the Bayou Section of Bay Isles has been upgraded. Offering gorgeous private lake views. www.3170BayouSound.com $1,199,000

NEW BEACH HOME! Situated directly on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, this brand new, five-bedroom home is ready for you to make personal selections. www.6857GulfofMexicoDrive.com $3,995,000

Surround yourself in the beauty found at this This direct bayfront, three-bedroom Fairway Bay custom-designed, 5,000 SF estate. Only one of seven residence is ready for you to make it your own. single-family homes on Islandside golf course, www.FairwayBayM3334.com $749,000 within walking distance to the beach. www.1011LongboatClubRoad.com $2,995,000

CASEY KEY

1232 North Casey Key Road

The luxuries offered at this Gulf-to-bay estate on Casey Key will astound you. This Tuscan-inspired, 8,000 SF compound rests on more than one-acre of property that fronts to the Gulf of Mexico and rests along Sarasota Bay. Walk out to your own private beach. www.1232NorthCaseyKeyRoad.com $7,500,000

GRAND BAY 3030 Grand Bay Boulevard #384

Picturesque bay views, walls of glass, a formal dining room and eat-in kitchen are waiting for you at this Cayman residence on the fourth floor of Building II. www.GrandBay384.com $1,295,000

3040 Grand Bay Boulevard #243

Picturesque bay views, walls of glass, a formal dining room and eat-in kitchen are waiting for you at this Cayman residence on the fourth floor of Building II. www.GrandBay243.com $979,000

584 Hornblower Lane

Spectacular views of Sarasota Bay and downtown welcome you. Perfectly situated directly on the deep waters of the bay, this four-bedroom bayfront home is ideal for the avid boater. www.584HornblowerLane.com $2,995,000

415 L’Ambiance Drive #D906

Direct Gulf-to-bay views will mesmerize you from each room of this stunning, ninth-floor Sabal residence in the south building at L’Ambiance. Vistas of turquoise Gulf waters and the twinkling skyline of downtown Sarasota stretch on forever. www.415LAmbianceD906.com $2,600,000

1281 Gulf of Mexico Drive #104

Delight in the comfort that this modified Plaza residence at The Water Club offers. Featuring an upgraded floor plan, this 2BR+den residence is just a few steps to the pristine shores of the Gulf. www.WaterClubNorth104.com $1,395,000

four-bedroom, direct bayfront home is only steps to the renowned Siesta Key Beach! Savor a Gulf-to-bay lifestyle with deeded access to the quartz-filled shores of the beach, plus a private 40-foot dock and lift. www.1245DerbyLane.com $1,425,000

1211 Gulf of Mexico Drive #904

This Promenade penthouse offers 2,600 SF of stunning Gulf-to-bay views! The extensive upgrades are immaculate. Enjoy ideal breezes from two private terraces. www.PromenadePenthouse904.com $1,289,000

571 Wedge Lane

Third home in from Sarasota Bay! This updated 4BR/3BA home is waiting for your personal touch.

Offering great updates, a light and open layout, plus deep-water dockage. www.571WedgeLane.com $999,000

575 Sanctuary Drive #A202

Lush views of Islandside golf course’s rolling greens and Gulf sunsets stretch on forever from this corner residence in Building I at The Sanctuary. www.575SanctuaryA202.com $848,000

Only new construction can offer this level of high-end finishes, custom design features and a flawless layout. Built to the highest standards

by Emerald Homes, this brand new home rests along the waters of the lagoon. www.8008MidnightPassRoad.com $1,350,000

1800 Ben Franklin Drive #PH-A02

Gulf-to-bay views from every room of this penthouse! Featuring walls of glass and lovely upgrades. Two terraces offer breathtaking views. www.LElegancePHA02.com $1,799,000

213 North Washington Drive

This stunning, three-bedroom contemporary jewel is a rare find. Savor birds-eye views from the rooftop terrace and walk to fine dining and shopping. www.213NorthWashingtonDrive.com $1,799,000

386 Bob White Drive

OPEN HOUSE: FRIDAY, 6/24, 11am-2pm! Move

in and immediately begin to enjoy this private, three-bedroom home on the tranquil waters of Sarasota Bay, in the exclusive community of Bird Key. www.386BobWhiteDrive.com $1,549,000

SIESTA KEY

1445 Gulf of Mexico Drive #203C

1280 Hidden Harbor Way

Ease into island living in this turnkey furnished 2BR/21/2BA residence while enjoying Gulf and pool views from the private terrace. www.ThePlayersClub203C.com $679,000

Resting on an oversized parcel that backs up to Sarasota Bay and fronts to a private yacht basin. You will appreciate every aspect of this over 5,000 SF, Mediterranean-inspired estate. www.1280HiddenHarborWay.com $3,995,000

1115 Gulf of Mexico Drive #503

5151 Jungle Plum Road

Fall in love with the lovely updates featured in this furnished, 2BR/2BA residence. Relish beach and community views from this fifth-floor retreat. www.Beachplace4503.com $599,000

SARASOTA 3656 San Remo Terrace

OPEN HOUSE: SUNDAY, 6/26, 1pm-4pm! Nestled among manicured, tropical landscaping, boasting 164-feet of water frontage, this beautifully-updated home is a private gem, ready for you to enjoy. www.3656SanRemoTerrace.com $1,850,000

Relish serene bayfront living in this updated sixbedroom estate on the tranquil waters of Sarasota Bay. Situated on more than a half-acre of property, just a short bike ride away from the renowned Siesta Key Beach. www.5151JunglePlumRoad.com $3,245,000

What is your home worth?

Visit www.RogersMarketUpdate.com to receive a customized, monthly market snapshot of your home.

201 Gulf of Mexico Drive Suite 1, Longboat Key, Florida 34228 office: (941) 387-1840 cell: (941) 586-6668 fax: (941) 827-9444 website: longboatrealestate.com e-mail: roger@longboatrealestate.com Owned and Operated by NRT, LLC

203685

$6,495,000