Longboat Observer 7.1.21

LONGBOAT

Observer JULY 2021

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Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978

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FREE THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021

VOLUME 43, NO. 47

YOUR TOWN

Here they come

Hurricane season is here. Time to listen, be prepared. PAGE 5

Courtesy photo

Happy 104th, Reggie!

At Regina (Reggie) Gurland’s age — 104 — the number of candles necessary to represent all her years probably wouldn’t fit on a birthday cake. So when Gurland was celebrated by her neighbors and family June 23, they spelled it out in strawberries instead.

Gurland’s enduring era has caught the attention of others. In 2018, there were two articles written about her active lifestyle on the Mayo Clinic’s website.

She’s lived in Sleepy Lagoon since 1976.

Keeping an eye on the health of Sarasota Bay

Hail to the chief

The Rotary Club of Longboat Key is looking “Fuller” for 2021. On June 22, the club welcomed its new president Bo Fuller, who will take over leadership duties from Brad Marner. The ceremonial passing of the gavel took place at Cafe L’Europe.

Several Rotary members were recognized during the meeting for their “do goodery.” Terri Driver was named Rookie of the Year for her willingness to run the club’s Zoom meetings throughout 2020, Janet Shapiro earned honors for Excellence in Club Administration for her commitment to keeping the club on track, Joan Sherry was named Rotarian in Action, and Jack and Nancy Rozance were named Rotarians of the Year.

Longboat business owners say clear water is essential. SEE PAGE 3 Mark Bergin

Shane Catts has operated Happy Paddler Kayak Tours since October 2013 and says he has seen a drop in the water quality of Sarasota Bay.

Turtle Tracks LONGBOAT June 20-26 2021 2020 Nests 112 119 False Crawls 174 242 Totals since April 25 2021 2020 Nests 594 736 False Crawls 787 862 Source: Mote Marine Laboratory

Mark Bergin

Fire Chief Paul Dezzi is one of the four grand marshals of the Longboat’s annual festival.

Four for the Fourth of July parade

A+E

Freedom Fest honors hometown heroes.

SEE PAGE 2

Chance to shake with the ‘Killer.’

SEE PAGE 14

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021

Four grand marshals picked for Longboat Key’s Freedom Fest Two men and two women will represent the theme of hometown heroes when the July 4 parade steps off for the 19th time.

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

Dr. Colleen Healy couldn’t believe it when she got the call asking if she would serve as a grand marshal of the Longboat Key Freedom Fest.

“I feel like the grand poobah,” Healy said of her selection leading the island’s Fourth of July festivities.

Healy, Fire Chief Paul Dezzi, Bay Isles Publix Manager Willie McLaughlin and Sarasota Memorial Healthcare’s Jean Lucas will be the four grand marshals, representing the town’s front-line workers.

“I feel very honored to be selected,” Healy said. “It’s touching, and it feels special. I really appreciate it.”

Healy said she has operated out of her cardiology office on 5650 Gulf of Mexico Drive for the past 20 years.

“Throughout the pandemic, even some of my colleagues in town, other cardiologists, they did tele-visits almost for a year,” Healy said. “We never shut our doors, ever. Not one time. We never shut down for COVID.” The COVID-19 pandemic

prompted the cancellation of the 2020 Freedom Fest.

The return of the event will be a stark contrast from last year’s Fourth of July, when town leaders opted to close public beach parking ahead of the holiday weekend to minimize gathering crowds.

Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce President Gail Loefgren said she felt it was necessary for this year’s celebration to honor health care workers, first responders and others critical to Longboat’s livelihood.

“It’s an honor,” Loefgren said.

“People always call asking, ‘Who is the grand marshal?’”

Dezzi said Loefgren asked him to serve as a grand marshal on June 7 when town commissioners voted to waive the chamber’s $100 permit fee for the festival.

“I thought at first, ‘Why is she asking me because, I mean, there are so many people out here on the island that they’ve chosen before?’” Dezzi said.

Dezzi became the town’s goto person during the pandemic, frequently running conference calls with citizens and answering questions about COVID-19 in a variety of settings.

He said he appreciates the invitation to serve as one of the grand marshals.

“This is something that the citizens really enjoy,” Dezzi said.

“They wait all year long. I just think it’s something that gets people outside. Something different for them. I think a lot of people missed that this past year, being outside and being part of the parade and the events.”

FOUR GRAND Freedom Fest organizers this week added a fourth grand marshal to the Sunday, July 4 festivities, joining Fire Chief Paul Dezzi, cardiologist Dr. Colleen Hardy and Publix Store Manager Willie McLaughlin at the front of the parade.

Jean Lucas, a Country Club Shores resident for 18 years and Sarasota Memorial Health Care System’s chief nursing officer at the soon-to-open Venice hospital will take part in the event, billed the ”shortest parade in America.’’

Lucas served as the hospital’s associate chief nursing officer for four years and helped lead the hospital’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

She’s been with the hospital organization since 2007.

The parade begins on Bay Isles Road at 9:15 a.m.

Photos by Mark Bergin

Left to right: Dr. Colleen Healy and Fire Chief Paul Dezzi will serve as two of four grand marshals of the 2021 Freedom Fest.

Courtesy photo

McLaughlin said it was an honor the chamber even considered him.

“I can tell you it’s a first. It’s never happened,” McLaughlin said.

“I know how important the parade is to this community, so it was an honor.”

McLaughlin is set to march in the parade with several other Publix employees, including

Left to right: Bay Isles Publix Store Manager Willie McLaughlin and Jean Lucas, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System’s chief nursing officer, will serve as two of four grand marshals of the 2021 Freedom Fest.

Tyler Albrecht, Joey Boucher, Aaron Norden, Ian Alexander, Jerry Smith, Eddie Soto, Tina Nohmer and Kevin Murray.

McLaughlin said he typically works during the Fourth of July.

“Anytime there’s the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, any of

those beach cookout celebrations, the store is extremely busy,” McLaughlin said.

The Publix Super Market at Shoppes of Bay Isles will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 4.

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THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021

301

BANKING

ON THE BAY

PALMA SOLA

Mark Bergin

UPPER BAY YEAR SCORE 2019 2.25 2018 1.75 2017 2.75 2016 3.00 2015 3.25

Business owners and residents explain why a healthy Sarasota Bay is important for the quality of life in Longboat Key.

ROBERTS BAY YEAR SCORE 2019 2.50 2018 1.25 2017 1.75 2016 1.50 2015 2.00

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

S

hane Catts can recall what Sarasota Bay looked like decades ago.

The 40-year-old owner of Happy Paddler Kayak Tours remembers visiting his grandparents, who used to live right behind his business in Bayfront Park.

“They no longer live there, but I grew up playing up here, and I can see the changes that have occurred in the last 40 years,” Catts said. “I mean, it’s very apparent. It has me gravely concerned for the long-term future of the bay.”

In a recent report to the town, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Executive Director David Tomasko said that his organization has found higher values of nitrogen and chlorophyll in recent years in the Sarasota Bay waters, leading to his organization’s concerns about algae blooms. He also mentioned how Sarasota Bay has seen a significant reduction in seagrass coverage.

In 2019, Sarasota Bay received from the organization an overall 2.25 score out of 4. The bay got a 1.75 in 2018. The two scores measuring the bay’s health were the lowest recorded by the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program’s report card system, which dates back to 2006.

Tomasko said the scores are attributed to the 2018 red tide outbreak and potential effects from the Piney Point leak.

“In 2018 when you had the red tide, when you had fish kills and smelly water and flies everywhere, the economy sucked, and it did in part because no one wanted to be by the bay,” Tomasko said. “The point I guess is it doesn’t have to be just red tide.”

Longboat Key’s proximity to the bay connects the water body’s health and success to many facets of island life and business.

“It means everything,” Can-

YEAR SCORE 2019 3.67 2018 3.67 2017 3.33 2016 3.67 2015 3.67

File photo

Above: In September 2018, Longboat Key leaders cleaned up dead marine life from red tide in canals.

Top: Shane Catts has operated Happy Paddler Kayak Tours since October 2013.

nons Marina Owner David Miller said. “Without it, we don’t have a bay, and we don’t have any good reason to be boating here.

Like during the times with really bad red tide, nobody’s interested in even being on this island. So that’s extreme on one end.”

Catts said red tide was only a problem every seven to 10 years growing up. He said it happens more frequently now.

“Now you look at the map, and you see it all up and down the coast on an annual basis,” Catts said.

Catts said that in 2018 Happy Paddler had to shut down for several weeks, but he considers himself lucky.

“Luckily for us as a business, the algae blooms usually do occur in the rainier seasons, which occur outside of our busiest times of the year,” Catts said. “However, for the next year, I was getting calls every single day, saying: ‘I’ve read about red tide. Is it still there?’

“It’s like, ‘No, it was gone a year ago.’ I’ll still get calls now.”

Suncoast Waterkeeper board member Rusty Chinnis explained how the red tide of 2018 compared to others in the decades he’s spent in the area.

“The 2017-18 red tide, that is what I think was the sort of the nail in the coffin, so to speak, because I’ve seen a lot of red tides over the years, and they’re all really devastating,” Chinnis said. “As you well know if you’re around here,

everybody’s up in arms, (saying): ‘We got to do something about this. We just can’t have this.’

“And then it goes away, and nobody talks about it. And therefore, nothing gets done, and it just keeps getting worse, which is what’s happening. That 2017-18 red tide, this bay has never recovered from that one.”

Beyond the environmental impact of the water and the surrounding marine life, there is an economic tie to a healthy Sarasota Bay: n There are more than 2,700 boat owners in Manatee and Sarasota counties; n Property value uplift associated with proximity to the bay is worth about $3 billion; n More than 20,000 jobs are associated with bay-related activities; and n Visitors spend more than $15 million on fishing licenses, gear and boat rentals.

“If proximity to the bay is no longer an amenity, if nobody wants to buy that house because it smells bad, … it’s going to affect local government budgets,” Tomasko said.

One of the ways residents can make a difference is to avoid over-fertilization of their yards, Tomasko said. The town has an ordinance banning application of fertilizers containing nitrogen or phosphorous between June 1 and Sept. 30. A county ordinance covers unincorporated areas.

N

SARASOTA BAY SYSTEM SCORES 3.5+ indicates apparently healthy conditions

2.5-3.49 indicates potential concerns 1.5-2.49 indicates a problematic condition UNDER 1.5 indicates multiple issues of ecosystem degradation Source: Sarasota Bay Estuary Program

Tomasko said he’s seen several areas in Florida benefit from a wet season fertilizer blackout period.

“Not fertilizer, but the overapplication of fertilizer can be problematic,” Tomasko said. “So (homeowners) can be part of the problem or part of the solution.”

Tomasko said local governments can educate people on the value of being careful about fertilizer application.

Citing the town’s June 2020 sewage leak, Tomasko is also a proponent of the town prioritizing a redundant underwater sewer line project, which has an estimated cost of $21.8 million.

“Fortunately, that leak was in the mangrove fringe,” Tomasko said. “It probably didn’t cause much of a problem. If it was in the middle of the bay, that would’ve been harder to find (and) harder to fix. If it was in the middle of the bay during a Lyngbya bloom or a red tide, it might be an awful thing.”

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THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021

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Unicorp CEO Chuck Whittall wishes construction could start sooner on The Residences at The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort.

The Orlando-based developer’s initial plans had called for a July groundbreaking.

“It’s extremely disappointing,” Whittall said. “We’ve been working on this project for eight-anda-half years, and I would love to have gotten it in this session.”

Whittall said he hopes construction can start in October.

On Monday, Whittall said crews would be ready to start work in four weeks if the town had already approved the proposed changes.

The Longboat Key Town Commission is set to take its annual summer recess following the July 2 regular meeting. Commissioners are not set to meet again until Sept. 13.

“We are finally at the point where we’re ready to start this, and the changes that we’re making are very, very, very minor, but they still have to go to the commission,” Whittall said.

First, the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board has set a special meeting date for Sept.

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Planning, Zoning and Building Director Allen Parsons said the Town Commission would likely schedule its own special meetings for October.

“The staff sense is that this probably ought to be on its own agenda,” Town Manager Tom Harmer told commissioners June 21. “It’s a big enough project, and in the past, it’s been held as a single item.”

In May, Unicorp and engineering consultants Kimley-Horn finalized a 552-page application about the proposed changes.

Specifically, Unicorp plans to reduce the number of residential units at the facility from 78 to 69 units. Also, two of the 69 units in the condominium portion of the property would be available for occupancy for fewer than 30 consecutive calendar days or one calendar month, whichever is less.

The development still plans to have 166 hotel rooms.

Unicorp is also proposing some changes to height around elevator shafts on the roof and some levels of public-space occupancy.

Whittall said Unicorp has sold 80% of its residential units, which has surpassed the developer’s goal to have 50% sold by the time construction started.

In late 2018, the last of the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort buildings had been demolished.

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Emergency leaders: Go when ordered to leave Evacuations for hurricanes aren’t taken lightly, so act fast when the threat rises to that level, say speakers at storm-prep seminar.

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

Orders to leave home in the face of a storm are fairly rare along Florida’s Gulf Coast.

But when they do come …

“When we ask people to evacuate, they need to evacuate,” Fire Chief Paul Dezzi said.

Emergency managers delivered that message of preparedness to an online audience last week during the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce’s 19th annual disaster preparedness seminar.

About 90 computers were signed into the event, but in several cases a single stream was watched by dozens of people gathered at a condo community.

The last time such an evacuation order was issued was in September 2017 in advance of Hurricane Irma.

Manatee County Emergency Management Chief Steve Litschauer said evacuations are called for two reasons: people in a storm surge zone or in a low-lying area prone to flooding and people who live in manufactured homes, mobile homes, RVs or boats.

Barrier island residents are typ-

ically in the first group of people to be ordered to evacuate.

Joining Dezzi and Litschauer were Deputy Police Chief Frank Rubino, Mayor Ken Schneier, Town Manager Tom Harmer, Longboat Key Chamber President Gail Loefgren, Sarasota County Emergency Management Chief Ed McCrane, ABC-7 Chief Meteorologist Bob Harrigan and Sarasota’s Climate Adaptation Center CEO Bob Bunting.

“Have a plan,” Litschauer said.

“What are you going to do in case something happens?”

Litschauer explained how the counties’ emergency shelters are a “refuge of last resort.”

“We say it’s a lifeboat, not a cruise ship,” Litschauer said. “A shelter is a safe environment that you will be fed at. You have to bring everything else.”

Litschauer encouraged people

THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021

5

THE NAMES Ana* Bill* Claudette* Danny* Elsa Fred Grace Henri Ida Julian Kate

LEARN MORE

Longboat Key: Town first responders want to know about residents with specific medical needs or require the assistance of a caregiver. Call 316-1944.

Sarasota County: Call 8615000 for information.

Manatee County: Dial 311 for nonemergency questions, or dial 749-3500 for calls made from outside the county.

|

Larry Mindy Nicholas Odette Peter Rose Sam Teresa Victor Wanda

*Indicates the storm name has already been used this year. Names determined by the World Meteorological Organization.

File photo

Standing water was rising on the island ahead of Hurricane Eta in November 2020.

to stay with family and friends who live away from the immediate coast.

Although there were concerns last year about the shelters’ social distancing requirements because of the COVID-19 pandemic, McCrane said people will not be required to wear a mask or to be vaccinated to enter an emergency shelter this time around.

“If you have not been vaccinated, which is not mandatory, or you have other respiratory or other illnesses that will make you more vulnerable, we recommend you continue wearing that mask inside of the facility that’s going to have a lot of people in it,” McCrane said.

Citing state data at a recent Town Commission meeting, Harmer said the town has a 99.6% vaccination rate.

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signing up for the town’s Alert Longboat Key emergency-notification system.

Last month, Dezzi also held a Zoom session with town stakeholders to discuss hurricane season preparations.

“I always tell people, if you see the taillights of the firetruck or the ambulance, you’re leaving the island too late because the firetruck, the ambulance and the police department are the last vehicles or last people to leave the island during a storm,” Dezzi said.

Rubino said identification would prove residents belong on the island when the evacuation order is lifted. Generally, first responders will survey the island first to ensure there are no lingering dangerous situations.

Business operators would need something to connect them to the island, such as a water or utility

bill with a town address.

“There’s not one hurricane that’s going to be the same,” Rubino said. “I’ve been working (for) 40 years, and I’ve responded to every hurricane in South Florida where I worked, and even Katrina, and not one of those has been the same.”

Bunting said the Sarasota Climate Adaptation Center is forecasting 10 hurricanes this year, including up to five major.

One of the environmental factors he watches closely is ocean temperatures.

“Near normal is a good thing,” he said. “Below normal would be even a better thing.”

Loefgren said that although the Chamber of Commerce plans to resume holding the disaster preparedness seminar in person starting in 2022, she plans to continue streaming the meeting on Zoom as well to better connect with out-of-town property owners during the summer.

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The basic economic principal of supply and demand is demonstrating itself in the SarasotaManatee county real estate market as inventories of properties plummet and median prices climb — to record levels in one county’s case.

The local real estate market has shown no signs up letting up, as evidenced by the May 2021 numbers from the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee.

Sarasota’s median price for single-family homes climbed to an all-time high of $407,000 in May, a 36.6% increase from the same time in 2020.

Manatee’s median price for single-family homes rose to $400,000, a year-over-year increase of 23.1%.

By comparison, the median price for a single-family home for 2020 in Sarasota County was $325,000. In Manatee County, that figure was $345,000 in 2020.

Thus far in 2021, median single-family home prices in Sarasota have climbed each month: $340,004 in January, $359,900 in February, $379,695 in March and $380,000 in April. The June figures are expected in late July.

An estate on Casey Key sold in April for $16.5 million, the highest

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priced sale this year and equal to the highest price sale of all time in the region.

In June, a Bird Key property sold for $6.5 million.

At least eight properties have sold for more than $10 million since the beginning of 2020.

In the meantime, available properties for sale in the two counties have fallen, bringing with them the average time a property is on the market.

Across the region, typical properties sell in less than two weeks, down more than 78% from 2020 across both counties.

“The numbers continue to demonstrate that we’re in a historically strong seller’s market,” 2021 RASM President Alex Krumm said.

In May across the two counties, 2,584 closed sales were recorded in May, an 84.7% increase from May 2020. All of those sales were at listing price or above.

In Manatee County, singlefamily sales increased by 66.1% to 739, and condo sales increased by 112.7% to 319. In Sarasota County, single-family sales increased by 75.3% to 985, and condo sales increased by 123.6% to 541. Cash sales also more than doubled.

For 2021, though, March still holds the standard for closed sales. In Sarasota County, 1,169 homes and 738 condominiums were sold, eclipsing figures as far back as early 2017. In Manatee, 907 homes and 496 condos sold.

This Bird Key home sold in February for more than $6.6 million.

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GOLDEN GATE POINT 128 Golden Gate Point #901-1001

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INN ON THE BEACH 230 Sands Point Road #3204

411 Pheasant Way Robert Sherman

$749,900

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LONGBOAT KEY 718 Spanish Drive North $382,000 Kimberly Freiwald 941.256.6775

3476 Mistletoe Lane Marty Warren

$3,095,000 941.313.1301

$2,599,900 941.724.1854

DOWNTOWN SARASOTA 1257 Fruitville Road Peter Laughlin

$584,000 941.356.8428

VENETIAN FALLS 1505 Maseno Drive Liz Arme

auction house and affluent clientele

THE PHOENIX

LONGBOAT KEY

209 South Bay Boulevard $2,700,000 Shellie Young 941.713.5458

Dennis Girard

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$375,000 941.266.4003

136 Golden Gate Point #302

$3,000,000

Traute Winsor & Al Wenzel 941.504.1949

BURNS COURT VILLAS 1526 Selby Lane #2 Peter Laughlin

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670 Lands End Drive #5 $929,000

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4311 Gulf of Mexico Drive #203

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140 Riviera Dunes Way #704

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ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SELLER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS AD AND TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A SELLER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. This project has been filed in the State of Florida and no other state. This is not an offer to sell or solicitation of offers to buy the condominium units in states where such offer or solicitation cannot be made. Prices and availability are subject to change at any time without notice. This is a limited time offer. Developer may withdraw offering at any time. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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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.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021

LONGBOAT

OPINION / OUR VIEW

How will this end?

MATT WALSH

R

uminations — some new, some old, some short, some long — on Independence Day, liberty, pursuit of happiness, Spirit of America, revolution and how it ends …

To help remind us that Independence Day is much more than beer, hot dogs, fireworks and family, that July 4 is etched in history as the birth of a nation the likes of which the world had never seen, the Observers since 2007 have published our special section, “Spirit of America.”

Each year we try to capture through the people who live among us the special characteristics that make Americans American and how these neighbors of ours embody and live those memorial words in the Declaration of Independence:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

As you’ll see in this year’s section, our editorial staff focused on “the pursuit of happiness.”

How do we pursue happiness?

At the root of that pursuit is the human yearning to be free; to be individuals; to be free to make our own choices, choices in our self-interest and the interests of others; and not to be under the yoke of some tyrannical power who makes us slaves.

Far, far too few Americans seem to appreciate — indeed, revere — all of that. Nor do they appreciate how extraordinary were the Declaration of Independence and the aura around it or how precious it still is and how precious it is to their lives today.

We always hope our “Spirit of America” section helps stir readers’ patriotic sentiments.

And we hope it reminds us that what we have — one of the freest nations in the world — is always so tenuous.

Often repeated are those famous words of founding father Benjamin Franklin. As he exited the Constitutional Convention, a group of citizens asked him what kind of government the delegates created. He responded, “A republic, if you can keep it.”

Surely few in that group realized at that moment Franklin’s deep wisdom — foreshadowing the endless trials this republic has endured for 245 years.

We are in one of those trials now. As a friend has told us repeatedly: We have been in the midst of another civil war since 2016, at least since then — albeit

one that so far, thankfully, has avoided widespread death.

It sure feels like a Civil War. For the generations that were born after World War II, the strife in America today might feel worse than at any other time. But to a great extent, it’s comparable to the social and civil unrest that swept the country in the 1960s and early 1970s.

History always repeats.

We baby boomers lived through the racial riots that burned our major cities; through the radical terrorist attacks of the Weather Underground, Symbionese Liberation Army, Black Panthers and Students for a Democratic Society — all Marxist-inspired groups. Their members were the leading anti-Vietnam War protesters and serious agitators for a major revolution.

In an 18-month period between 1971 and 1972, author Brian Burrough reports these groups set off 2,500 bombs across the U.S. “What makes the 1970s so different, especially from today,” Burrough told NPR, “is that there were all these militants that believed that the way to right these wrongs was to detonate bombs, was to assassinate policemen, was to engage in shootouts and kidnappings.”

Then, as now, one of the war cries was police brutality against black people.

The Weather Underground also went so far as to detonate bombs in the U.S. Capitol and Pentagon in separate incidents in 1971 and 1972. But unlike today, neither Congress nor the U.S. military set up wire fencing with armed soldiers to surround the Capitol or Pentagon and protect members of Congress from the radical protesters.

To an extent, you can say history is repeating. But this time those who want to tear down our republic, who want to tear down what the framers’ extraordinary minds created (the most just constitutional republic in all of mankind), have spread far, wide and deep like an insidious cancer into our academies, halls of governments (local, state and national) and the courts.

We have lost two generations in our education system, conditioned to believe that what the founders created and all that followed should be rejected in favor of government models that have murdered and impoverished hundreds of millions. What’s more, those reject what Americans have defended for 245 years have taken over in the highest places of public and corporate power. Their mission is increasingly clear: to enslave you to their power and the power of the state, to take away your freedom to pursue your happiness.

That is no exaggeration.

To pursue happiness, you must be free. Author Robert Reilly captured this idea well in his recent book, “America on Trial, a Defense of the Founding”: “To be fully human, one must be free. That is why Jefferson said that ‘the God who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time.’ If freedom is God’s intention for man, then the ground of freedom must be virtue so as to prevent enslavement by vice.”

In a similar vein, Reilly notes, “politics cannot meet the

demands of the human soul, for it cannot achieve perfect justice.

The founders realized that one must look beyond politics for the spiritual fulfillment for which man hungers.

“Any attempt to fulfill the soul’s ultimate desire through politics — by trying to achieve perfect justice — would transform the state into a totalitarian enterprise. The founders knew this,” Reilly writes.

If we want Americans to enjoy the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, we must reject the politicians, academicians, court justices and agitators who reject the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, the truths on which Americans have defended this great nation for 245 years.

Thomas Jefferson

nnn

“Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.” Thomas Jefferson suggested that in 1776 as an American mottto.

Compare our so-called leaders in Washington today to, say, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, authors of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

Jefferson was 33, and Madison was 36.

Where are our rising statesmen and stateswomen today? nnn How will the strife that has gripped this nation the past halfdecade end?

In Robert Reilly’s “America on Trial,” he notes that John Adams wrote a letter in 1818 to a publisher: “The Revolution was effected before the War commenced. The Revolution was in the Minds and Hearts of the People. … This radical Change in the Principles, Opinions, Sentiments and Affecton of the People was the real American Revolution.”

We’re not suggesting another revolutionary war or another civil war full of death and destruction. As noted earlier, to an extent we are repeating some of the strife that tore the U.S. in the 1960s and 1970s.

That ended with the adoption of the Civil Rights Act, the end of the Vietnam War and the resignation of Richard Nixon.

No one can see just yet how our troubles will end. Like most difficult times, they’re likely to get worse before they get better.

Count on that.

That is why many around the world are predicting the fall of the American empire, much like the fall of the Roman Empire.

But don’t count us out. We

REMNANTS: MORE THAN YOU THINK At times of social upheaval like this, you hear of family, friends and co-workers express despair, helplessness and worry that great catastrophe looms.

This cloud of concern brings to mind a 1936 essay by the distinguished writer Albert Nock, “Isaiah’s Job.” Nock wrote of a friend who had ambitions to spread his political-economic doctrine to the masses.

But Nock tried to dissuade him with the story of the prophet Isaiah.

Using literary license, Nock wrote how God instructed Isaiah to go out and warn the people of the great wrath that was about to befall them if they didn’t change their ways.

Quoting God in modern language, Nock wrote: “Don’t mince matters.

Make it clear that they are positively down to their last chance. Give it to them good and strong, and keep on giving it to them.”

Then Nock added, quoting God again: “I suppose perhaps I ought to tell you that it won’t do any good.

The official class and their intelligentsia will turn up their noses at you, and the masses will not even listen.

They will all keep on in their own ways until they carry everything down to destruction, and you will probably be lucky if you get out with your life.”

Hearing this, Isaiah responded, “Why, if all that were so was there any sense in starting?”

To which, Nock wrote God responded: “Ah, you do not get the point. There is the remnant. … They are obscure, unorganized, inarticulate, each one rubbing along as best he can. They need to be encouraged and braced up because when everything has gone completely to the dogs, they are the ones who will come back and build up a new society; and meanwhile, your preaching will reassure them and keep them hanging on. Your job is to take care of the remnant.”

As Nock’s essay proceeds, he tells how God lets Isaiah know there are far more remnants than Isaiah realizes and that he should take comfort because the remnants will prevail.

— M.W., JULY 2, 2020

have been a resilient people from the moment the pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock.

Continue to believe that all men are indeed created equal, and stand strong for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Happy Independence Day.

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944

Publisher / Emily Walsh EWalsh@YourObserver.com Executive Editor / Kat Hughes KHughes@YourObserver.com Managing Editor / Eric Garwood EGarwood@YourObserver.com Staff Writers / Mark Bergin, MBergin@ YourObserver.com; Nat Kaemmerer, NKaemmerer@YourObserver.com Copy Editor / Kaelyn Adix, KAdix@YourObserver.com Editorial Designers / Melissa Leduc, MLeduc@YourObserver.com; José Valle,

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

JUNE 17

RENTED CAR, OWNED WARNING 9:14 p.m., 5200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Traffic: The driver of a rented vehicle was issued a written warning after a police officer reported seeing the vehicle driving after dark with no rear lights illuminated. The driver of the vehicle said he did not realize they were not on. A routine check of wants and warrants came back negative.

JUNE 18

WOULD YOU LOOK AT THE TIME 2:23 a.m., 4700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Noise: Police went to a home to follow up on a report of loud music and voices. An officer spoke to the family in the home and asked they turn down the music and speak in lower tones.

The family apologized and complied with the officer’s request.

JUNE 19

HELP IS ON THE WAY 12:46 p.m., off the island Boating call: The town’s marine-patrol officer spotted a sailboat that appeared disabled and asked if help was needed. The captain of the vessel said that a commercial tow service was en route and that the boat’s anchor, which had been dragging as the boat approached shallow water, was now holding fast.

NAMASTE, JUST NOT HERE 1:07 p.m., 100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen assist: Police spoke to a yoga instructor at a town park

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THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021

JUNE 25

TRAVELING ON 5:25 p.m., 2800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Found property: A pair of suitcases in poor condition were found alongside the road. The luggage was empty, and no one was home at the property adjacent to the discovery. No identification tags or marks lent a clue to their ownership, so an officer brought them back to police headquarters for safekeeping.

about the rules governing businesses operating on beaches and in parks. The instructor said she had cleared it with a state agency, though the officer said local rules apply. She packed up and left. She was provided a list of contacts with the town.

LIVE AND LOUD 7:22 p.m., 4700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Noise complaint: An officer spoke to an on-call manager of a resort about a live band playing on the property and disturbing neighbors. The manager said she would speak to the band and ask for lower volume.

JUNE 20

DOG ON DECK 3:40 p.m., 100 block of North Shore Road Dog complaint: A complaint

about a dog on the beach without a leash sounded to a marine-patrol officer a lot like an encounter he had 20 minutes earlier on the same stretch of beach. The officer spoke again to the dog owner, who returned the pet to his boat.

on a report of a person changing clothing in a parking lot, police spoke to a couple in a car from out of town. One of them conceded they had changed clothes in the back seat of their small sedan. No criminal wants or warrants were found.

JUNE 21

JUNE 24

POOL PARTY 4:27 p.m., 5500 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Noise: An officer spoke to a group of people in a resort pool area about a noise complaint.

Although their music was not considered extreme, the officer asked them to be quieter, and they agreed.

JUNE 22

CASE CLOTHED 3:46 p.m., 500 block of Bay Isles Road Suspicious person: Acting

NOT REALLY PUBLIC 2:14 p.m., 500 block of Bay Isles Road Citizen dispute: Police spoke with a film crew shooting a parody of tennis accolades at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center. The leader of the film crew said he assumed the property was public. A representative of the tennis center responded to the film crew that a membership or payment was required to access the courts.

NOT REALLY PRIVATE 2:19 p.m., 5100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen assist: Police went to a condominium community to investigate a report of trespassing beachgoers. The officer spotted numerous people on the beach but none on private property.

The officer reconnected with the caller about his findings.

ONE WAY OAR THE OTHER 7:58 p.m., 700 block of Lands End Drive Boating call: An officer spoke to the owner of a boat tied to a property owner’s private dock.

Concern by the caller that the vessel was in trouble was unfounded, but the caller worried about darkness and storms approaching. The boater was instructed to paddle to the Linley Street boat ramp, from where he could retrieve his car and trailer.

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021

St. Armands shake-up St. Armands stakeholders have a vision for improving the look and feel of the commercial district. Can they convince city officials to buy in?

board members were enthusiastic about the proposal presented this month — and about the potential effects streetscape upgrades could have on the Circle.

“I’m absolutely blown away,” board member Tom Leonard said.

“For your first attempt, just coming out of the gate with something like this is great. It’s solving a lot of problems.”

DAVID CONWAY DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR

A

t this month’s meeting of the St. Armands Business Improvement District, board members offered praise for a concept that reimagined the streets of the Circle with new lighting, landscaping and furniture in a quest to create a more unified district.

By the end of its conversation, board members agreed to move forward with the plans in hopes of eventually making a St. Armands streetscape-improvement project a reality. To get to that point, the BID intends to refine the initial concept to better reflect its desires in consultation with other stakeholders. At least two of those stakeholders — the city of Sarasota and the Florida Department of Transportation — will need to formally approve plans to make alterations to public property.

Along the way, the group of property owners will also have to secure somewhere in the neighborhood of $10 million, according to preliminary cost estimates.

Although board Chair Geoffrey Michel said the concept plan represented an initial step down what could be a long path, BID

SENSE OF PLACE

Since October, the BID has been engaged in a conversation about streetscape design as a tool to increase activity and improve the aesthetics of the Circle.

Initially, those conversations revolved around amenities to public spaces on St. Armands.

Working with Dan Lear of DSDG Architects, the BID discussed options for creating a parklet in one of the medians on the Circle, adding seating and other features, such as an oversized chess set. The conversation began in parallel with other options for adjusting the look of the district, including new zoning and changes to St. Armands Circle Park.

In March, the group selected Phil Smith, a landscape architect with David W. Johnston Associates, to produce a concept design for completely making over one street segment leading into the Circle. BID board members suggested a comprehensive plan for redesigning a block could give the city and developers a route toward a harmonious design standard.

Smith’s proposal sought to do that, leaning on landscaping,

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THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021

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FUNDING OPTIONS

One other thing Cover said must be taken into consideration: cost.

Extrapolating the $2.5 million price tag for one spur of the Circle, the BID could be looking at $10 million to improve the entirety of the district. Smith said that price could conceivably come down if all of the changes were implemented at the same time, but Cover said it could go up if the plans also incorporated the interior of the Circle.

Either way, Cover said it was a hefty price tag for a major project.

“That becomes the big issue: Where does that money come from?” Cover said.

BID Operations Manager Brandy Smith said the BID had made a budget request to the city for $700,000 in capital improvement funding toward a first phase of a streetscape improvement project, but that proposal came before Smith presented his $2.5 million estimate. In addition to seeking city support, the BID originally envisioned contributing $200,000 of its own funding and requesting an additional $100,00 from FDOT.

The concept design focuses on changes to a street segment leading into St. Armands Circle from the mainland, attempting to create a visual gateway welcoming visitors into the district.

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Sarasota’s only points of access to Lido Key and Longboat Key. As a result, the city would have to be more considerate about the disruptions associated with construction than they usually would for a streetscape improvement.

“It would be great to upgrade everything out there, but there’s a lot to take into consideration for sure,” Cover said.

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lighting, signs, street furniture and more to create consistent visual features across the Circle.

“St. Armands really has a sense of place, and what you want to do is enhance that sense of place and make it feel more special,” he said.

Smith focused on the block of John Ringling Boulevard between Adams Drive and St. Armands Circle, the road leading into the Circle for those approaching from the mainland. In total, Smith said the changes in his initial design would cost $2.5 million, though the improvements could be phased in if the group desired.

Smith emphasized the opportunity to make that particular street segment a defined entry point, proposing the vertical columns to denote the gateway into the St. Armands district.

City Planning Director Steve Cover said it was understandable why St. Armands property owners were interested in streetscape changes because of inconsistent paving and landscaping in the area. He applauded the BID’s proactive approach to pursuing improvements, calling it a visionary group. Still, he noted any plans would need support from the City Commission, and any changes to state-controlled John Ringling Boulevard would require FDOT involvement, too.

Cover said there are other complicating factors that must be sorted out before any project can move forward. St. Armands Circle is a hub for pedestrian and vehicular activity, and streets leading into the Circle serve as

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021

Photos by Nat Kaemmerer

Carol Peschel feeds Lahni Brenner popcorn.

Paradise Center adds midday movies to summer

P

ilates studio, discussion room and now movie theater: The Paradise Center on Longboat Key is getting good use out of its new recreation room this summer. Executive Director Suzy Brenner welcomed a trio of guests June 16 for a showing of the “Downton Abbey” movie, the summer’s first Movie Matinee event at the center.

Brenner hasn’t scheduled a second movie yet but wants to show “One Night in Miami” and “My Octopus Teacher” to put The Paradise Center’s movie license and rec room to good use. It won’t be every week during the summer, but Brenner

Above: Sandi Love accepts some popcorn from Donna SharpBlaney.

Right: Suzy Brenner pops fresh popcorn for the movie.

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wants to find a time that will work for as many people who want to come as possible. The June 16 showing was just a practice run.

“We wanted to see if we need to upgrade our equipment, and we discovered that we needed better speakers,” Brenner said.

The few who came enjoyed an afternoon inside away from the muggy day, and moviegoer Sandi Love suggested those who are interested could start discussions after the movie.

“It’s a great concept, and it’s more fun to watch a movie with people,” Love said.

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THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021

13

TRIBUTES Ronald Thomas George Platt, OBE 1926-2021

Rudy Yessin 1926-2021 Rudy Yessin, 95 of Longboat Key, Florida died Friday morning, June 18, at his home in Florida with his family by his side. A graduate of the University of Kentucky and its College of Law, he was born in Williamson, WV and moved to Harlan, KY at the height of the Great Depression.

A short memorial service on Longboat Key was held at All Angels By the Sea Tuesday, June 22nd at 11:00AM and Milward Funeral Home in Lexington, KY Thursday June 24th at 11:00AM. Milward (downtown) is located at 159 N Broadway, Lexington, KY 40507. (859)2523411. All Angels by the Sea is located just outside Bay Isles at 563 Bay Isles Rd. (941) 383-8161.

He is survived by his children, Simon, David, Johanna, Stephen and Alison, their spouses and his 18 grandchildren. His wife of 53 years, Kathleen, pre-deceased him.

Ron spent the past 30 years in retirement, living in the home he built on the Key, travelling the world, and as an active member of the community - especially the Sarasota Audubon Society and the Sarasota British Club.

Born to Henrietta (Collins) and Arthur Platt, he grew up in London in the 1930’s.

Volunteering for the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm at 17, he was about to complete his flight training in Pensacola when the war ended. Marrying his beloved Kathleen in 1953, they built their lives together in Southampton, Stratford-upon-Avon, Brentwood and Michigan.

He dedicated 45 years to the Ford Motor Company, in both the UK and US, having started full-time work while studying at the London School of Economics. He was able to translate his love of cars to success in sales and marketing, ultimately leading the sales and marketing operations of 18 European countries as the Vice President – European Sales Operations, Ford of Europe. Queen Elizabeth II conferred on him

May we all hug our children in his memory. the membership of the Order of the British Empire, the OBE, in 1969 for services to British exports.

In retirement, he balanced his love of travel, exploring new places with enjoying the young grandchildren, who would gleefully use the beach and pool. The opportunity for a return visit to Britain was regularly pursued, including relishing the food, family and history that was so much part of his early years. In later years he enjoyed the company of and traveled with his dear friend Karen Jensen.

He relished the challenge of solving business issues, helping and guiding others through difficult situations with humor, clear analysis and determination as to the right course. He was a friend, companion, mentor, patron, adviser, confidante to many, which just adds to the loss experienced by us all. May we all hug our children in his memory.

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One of Kentucky’s original “one and done” basketball players, he left the blue and white for the Army Green of the Army Air Corp at Randolph Field Texas in 1944.

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In 1943, at 17 years old, Mr. Yessin became the youngest basketball player to take the court for Adolph Rupp. One of Kentucky’s original “one and done” basketball players, he left the blue and white for the Army Green of the Army Air Corp at Randolph Field Texas in 1944. His freshmen year was memorable as the freshmen-dominated team won the SEC, and became Rupp’s first NIT Team, finishing 3rd. Speaking of the young freshman from Harlan, Rupp boasted to the NY media that he had the only team in the tournament with a card-carrying Mineworker. Mr. Yessin was honorable mention All-SEC in his only full season with the team.

Mr. Yessin became a prominent Frankfort attorney, practicing for more than 50 years. He was a confidante of prominent Kentucky political figures from A.B. “Happy” Chandler to Martha Layne Collins. He retired to Longboat Key, FL in 2005.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, the former Jean Brent Warren of Lexington, his son, attorney Brent Warren Yessin of Tampa, and a granddaughter, Kelly Brent Yessin of Dallas, as well as his sister Hinda, brother Humzey and their respective families.

It is with deep sadness that we share the news that Ron, a resident of Longboat Key for 30 years, passed away on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at his home surrounded by his children at the age of 94.

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THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021

Burning down the house Florida Studio Theatre performance showcases rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis’ career.

MARTY FUGATE CONTRIBUTOR

Jimi Hendrix torched his guitar at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. Cool pyrotechnics, but not entirely original.

Jerry Lee Lewis had incinerated an entire piano at Alan Freed’s Big Beat Show at the Brooklyn Paramount in 1958.

The motive? Pure spite. By contract, Chuck Berry closed the show after Lewis’ penultimate act. Lewis decided to upstage him. A match and a Coke bottle filled with gasoline did the trick.

“I want to see you follow that, Chuck.” Berry didn’t even try.

“Great Balls of Fire” captures a host of such musical moments in Lewis’ incendiary career on the Florida Studio Theatre cabaret stage. This revue is the brainchild of Jason Cohen (the lead performer) and Michael Schiralli. Cohen first began channeling Lewis during the national tour of “Million Dollar Quartet,” a tribute to the legendary day when Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley all wound up together in the Sun Records recording studio.

After the “Million Dollar” tour terminated, Cohen dropped the Jerry Lee Lewis character. But he didn’t feel like dropping Lewis’ music. That led to a gutsy creative decision.

Simply put, Cohen stopped bleaching his hair blond. He’d go back on tour and keep banging out the Killer’s hits in a new, original revue called “Great Balls of Fire.” But he’d do it as himself, not in the Jerry Lee Lewis persona. Peroxide would be the commercial, exploitative, sell-out, inauthentic, easy,

smart choice. Authenticity was the right choice. Bravo.

Cohen’s touring band is composed of Justin Brown (saxophone), Luke Darnell (lead guitar), Nathan Yates Douglass (double bass) and Jon Rossi (drums). These talented musicians all play multiple instruments and sing as well, but that gives you a general idea.

The revue kicks off with “Good Golly Miss Molly,” Little Richard’s 1956 hit and the first of many double entendres. Cohen follows it up with “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” Bill Haley’s smash from 1954. (Here, the double meaning refers to throwing dice, if Wikipedia is not a liar.)

Cohen delivers a killer rendition of “Money (That’s What I Want),” Janie Bradford and Berry Gordy’s R&B classic from 1959, made famous by The Beatles in 1963. A medley of tunes from the Big Easy gives a nod to Lewis’ roots. He’s a proud, native son of Louisiana, and it shows.

The second act opens with “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On” (1955) — the third double entendre, if my count is accurate. The revue taps into Lewis’ country roots with Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” (1949) and goes deeper with a medley of spiritual selections. Cohen and the band open their hymn books to “I’ll Fly Away,” “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” and “I Shall Not Be Moved.” Yes, Lewis was raised in the old-time religion — though he gave his soul to rock ‘n’ roll. In the 1950s, Jimmy Swaggart, Lewis’ double-first cousin, was a budding Pentecostal evangelist confined to tents and not TV. He crusaded against Lewis and other rockers

IF YOU GO ‘GREAT BALLS OF FIRE’ When: Through Aug. 29 Where: Florida Studio Theatre, Court Cabaret, 1265 First St., Sarasota Tickets: $36-$39 Info: Call 366-9000.

for playing “the devil’s music.”

Lewis kept on playing, though he feared there’d be hell to pay.

Lewis’ “High School Confidential” is a sweet as a malted milkshake. (The song takes on a cringe-worthy meaning, granted Lewis’ marriage to his 13-year-old cousin.) Cohen saves “Great Balls of Fire” for last. His performance is not only energetic; it’s downright athletic. The man jumps up on the pounds the keys upsidedown, backwards and every which way. When that gets old, he kicks out chords with one foot. Cohen doesn’t literally set the piano fire. Metaphorically, it’s toast.

Manic movement is the key to Lewis’ music. Cohen’s tribute plays in that key. That’s why it feels like the real deal.

Hyperactive children are repeatedly commanded to sit still. Some obey — and go on to lead lives of quiet desperation.

Others disobey — and grow up to be rock stars. I’m confident Lewis was one of them. Cohen is definitely another.

This cabaret concert gives each of his bandmates a slice of the spotlight. Douglass lays down a funky, bluesy groove on the harmonica in Chuck Berry’s “No Particular Place to Go” (1958). Guitarist Darnell sizzles in the switchback turns of “Johnny B. Goode,” another Berry classic. Saxophonist Brown makes his instrument

Courtesy photo

In “Great Balls of Fire,” Jason Cohen captures a host of musical moments in Jerry Lee Lewis’ career.

wail and moan on “Shake, Rattle and Roll” (1954). Drummer Rossi holds his own at the stage’s perimeter — and captures the aggressive beat of tunes like “Money (That’s What I Want)” (1959) and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” (1957).

Great show. But what makes it a Jerry Lee Lewis show — especially when the lead performer isn’t pretending to be Jerry Lee Lewis?

It’s a question of style and substance. With Jerry Lee Lewis, style was substance. He was no singer-songwriter, but he made the songs his own. Not in the sense of respectful homage. More like the way a shoplifter makes off with a bottle of wine. In the process, Lewis set a good/bad example for the rule (and instrument) breaking

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5 Ways to Worship at All Angels

St. Armands Key

All Angels Episcopal Church | 563 Bay Isles Rd

LUTHERAN CHURCH

• Indoor worship services this Sunday at 10 am • Drive-in Church, Sunday at 10:00. Tune your car radio to 107.5 FM

JOIN US FOR IN-PERSON WORSHIP SUNDAYS AT 10AM or worship with us online at saklc.com/live or on Facebook Coffee and Treats - Sunday between 9-10am UPCOMING EVENTS: SUMMER MOVIE NIGHT Friday, July 16 at 6:30 featuring “Casablanca” FREE EVENT

• Walk-up Church, enjoy the garden setting and listen to the service • Live-stream - go to AllAngelsLBK.org to watch on-line

Growing in Jesus’ Name

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

941-383-8161 • www.AllAngelsLBK.org

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

Worship With Us at Our Church

St. Mary, Star of the Sea,

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

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

Catholic Church

Masks Are Optional

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

941.383.8833 (office)

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An Ecumenical Church that Welcomes all People Founded in 1956

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

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

Follow us on Facebook • www.longboatislandchapel.org

Lord’s Warehouse Thrift Shop is Open Mon., Wed. & Sat., 9 a.m. to noon

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

6400 Gulf of Mexico Dr.

musicians who followed in the 1960s. (I imagine The Who still blame him for all the gear they smashed on stage.)

Lewis’ style was never safe.

(The actual human being wasn’t either.) But Cohen perfectly captures the man’s cocky flash and flair.

This review offers a sizzling tribute to the musical side of Lewis’ legacy and doesn’t dig into his various scandals. It’s all about the music. If you want to go behind the music, try VH1.

If you want to enjoy the show, come here. And expect no sermons.

Lewis was a damn fine pianist and an incendiary, rock ‘n’ roll showman. Lewis was also a sinner. Unlike his televangelist cousin, he never claimed to be otherwise.

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

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

Rev. Robert Dziedziak, Pastor

Temple Beth Israel

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

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

All TBI physical gatherings are postponed until further notice.

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

941.383.3428 | www.tbi-lbk.org

RABBI STEPHEN L. SNIDERMAN, D.D.

567 Bay Isles Road • Longboat Key, FL

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Classifieds 25 Games 24 Real Estate 20 Weather 24

JULY 1, 2021

YOUR NEIGHBORS

&

GRAD CAPS FACE MASKS NAT KAEMMERER | STAFF WRITER

G

raduation season is always bittersweet, but the class of 2021 had plenty of reasons to celebrate.

This year’s grads appreciated a reentry

into a world on the tail end of a pandemic, and now the Longboat Key class of 2021 is headed off-island and into a changed world.

Let’s meet them.

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Gianna KohlenbergerSparks, daughter of David Sparks and Dominique Kohlenberger, graduated from Rabun Gap Nacoochee School in Georgia. Next, she’ll head to American University and begin interdisciplinary studies in communications, law, economics and government.

Her dream job is to be a lawyer, and her proudest achievement is being inducted into her high school’s cum laude society. Her best memory from school was a camping trip to Asheville, North Carolina.

Austin Dickinson, the son of David and Ingrid Dickinson, is a 2021 graduate of Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. His best memories from school included spending time with friends and winning the 2021 Class 3A state championship for baseball. In fact, playing varsity baseball in high school was one of his proudest accomplishments. In the fall, he’ll head to Gainesville to study economics at the University of Florida.

Anna Green, daughter of Danielle Green, is a 2021 graduate of the New College of Florida.

Her best memory from school is writing a thesis that was more than 60 pages, which she defended in front of three of her favorite professors. Between school and work, she still finds time to cook and bake. Green is most proud of finishing college and earning her degree during the pandemic. Next, she’ll work on a Master of Fine Arts in theater at grad school. Her dream job is to become the creative director of a

We’re tipping our caps to the recent graduates.

Beatrice Brunschwiler, daughter of Ivan and Judith Zunz, is a longtime Longboat Key resident who graduated magna cum laude from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in advertising. She was also vice president of the UF Advertising Society, the service director of Kappa Alpha Theta, a Multicultural Advertising Internship Program fellow and a Publicis Multicultural Talent Pipeline participant. Her next step is an internship in advertising strategy with Osborn Barr Paramore in St. Louis. Her dream job is working for Art Basel in Switzerland, and her proudest accomplishment is graduating with minors in French and agricultural law.

Nicolaas Altizer, son of Marta and Craig Altizer, graduated from Manatee High School. He was a member of the Manatee High School Key Club and enjoyed serving his community and school. One of his best memories from school was senior week, which was fun after a year and half of COVID-19 restrictions. His proudest achievement was completing two areas of the STEM Academy at MHS in Engineering and Digital Design and received the White M, an award for outstanding academic performance, all four years. He’ll soon head off to the University of South Florida to study information sciences and technology, as well as interdisciplinary social sciences, and he hopes to own a data science company one day.

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THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021

SUNDAY, JULY 4

LONGBOAT KEY FREEDOM FEST Patriotic festivities will go from 9 a.m. to noon on Bay Isles Road with the “world’s shortest parade” from 9-9:15 a.m. There will be the Hot Diggity Dog! parade as well as face painting and children’s activities. Contact GLoefgren@LBKChamber. com for information.

SKI-A-REES WATER SKI SHOW At 2 p.m. July 4 at 1602 Ken Thompson Parkway, stop by for a free water ski show. Call 3881666 or visit SkiARees.com for information.

TUESDAY, JULY 6

SONGS ON THE CIRCLE From 6-9 p.m. on St. Armands Circle, enjoy a tapestry of music with several musicians set up around the Circle and its spokes. Visit StArmandsCircleAssoc.net or call 388-1554 for information.

RECURRING EVENTS MONDAYS

STRETCH & STRENGTHEN From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Focus is on strength-training and flexibility for balance. Class is led by Suzy Brenner. Fee is $10.

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

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

Topics will include U.S. and world current affairs, popular culture and topics relevant to

seniors. Cost is $10. Walk-ins welcome. For information, call 383-6493.

TUESDAYS

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

Cost is $10. Walk-ins welcome.

For information, call 383-6493.

WEDNESDAYS

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

Class is outdoors, weather permitting. Cost is $10. Walk-ins welcome. For information, call 383-6493.

THURSDAYS

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

Email President Lynn Larson at LynnLarson@comcast.net to register.

ZUMBA AND MAT PILATES FOR SENIORS From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road.

The class, designed for active seniors, starts with Zumba and shifts to all-level mat Pilates at 10:30 a.m. Come for 30 minutes or the full hour. Cost is $10. Walk-ins welcome. For information, call 383-6493.

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

Watch out for skimmers W

e are in the midst of shorebird nesting season, and one of the three largest nesting colonies of black skimmers, a Florida state-threatened bird, is right on Lido Key. Indeed, nesting season, which takes place from May to August, is enjoyed by many locals and visitors. This year, our colony had a rocky start and was forced to relocate from their usual site, due to disruption early in the season, likely by a domestic cat.

But with more than 800 adult birds and already 185 chicks, the 2021 nesting season is thankfully back on track.

As black skimmers nest directly in the sand, colonies are extremely vulnerable to disturbances. A single dog even on a leash, a ball, a kite, people running or biking too close, a drone or fireworks can create panic, causing the adult birds to leave their nests. Eggs and young chicks (that aren’t yet strong enough to run away) are then exposed to danger from the elements, as well as predators.

Flightless chicks are also very vulnerable once they start venturing beyond the nest. During hot summer days, adults and chicks gather by the water to cool down. Older chicks, though not yet flying, also practice their skimming moves, an important step in learning how to feed themselves.

Miri Hardy

By giving birds plenty of space — and not walking, biking or running through areas where flocks of birds are feeding or resting — we can avoid separating them from their parents, which makes them an easy target for predating gulls and crows. And to protect all of our nesting shorebirds, let’s keep fireworks off the beach this holiday weekend.

Fireworks set off near colonies of nesting shorebirds can scare the parents into leaving their nests — with dire consequences for their chicks.

— MIRI HARDY, SAVE OUR SEABIRDS

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

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THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021

Temple Beth Israel men’s club hosts lunch

A

fter a long time away, members of Temple Beth Israel came together again to share a meal at Harry’s Continental Kitchens on June 16. The temple’s men’s club hosted a lunch that drew about 25 members.

Aside from a few informal outdoor picnics and some brief interactions during Shabbat dinner pickups and food drives, members of the temple haven’t seen each other since the beginning of the pandemic. This was the first men’s club event in more than 14 months, club President Lou Moyer said.

“We got a nice crowd today,” Moyer said. “It’s wonderful to see all these people. I’m so happy.”

Among the crowd were new members Alan and Holly Freedman, who joined the temple during the pandemic.

This was their first social outing with their new community, and they didn’t know a soul, other than a few faces Holly recognized from her short time on the program committee. The Freedmans said they’re looking forward to getting together more often in the future.

The future will be coming up quickly.

Moyer said there will be another lunch in July and a dinner soon after that.

The temple is looking to reopen in August.

Photos by Nat Kaemmerer

Top: Members sit with old friends.

Above: Holly and Alan Freedman Left: Marvin and Betty Morse

—NAT KAEMMERER

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THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021

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THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021

Bird Key home sells for $2.3 million

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

JUNE 7-15

SAND CAY

ADAM HUGHES

S&S Nest Egg LLC sold the Unit 216 condominium at 4725 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Grateful Friends LLC for $730,000. Built in 1974, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,071 square feet of living area.

RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home on Bird Key tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Park & Play RV Inc. sold the home at 258 Robin Drive to Bruce Vincent and Sheri Vincent, trustees, of Sarasota, for $2.3 million. Built in 1967, it has four bedrooms, fourand-a-half baths, a pool and 4,607 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.05 million in 2020.

PARK RESIDENCES OF LIDO KEY

Richard Biller, trustee, and Eve Simon Biller, of Sarasota, sold the Unit E306 condominium at 159 Taft Drive to Allan Sarfati, of Sarasota, for $1.97 million.

Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,228 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.63 million in 2016.

THE PRIVATEER NORTH

West Coast Florida Properties LLC sold the Unit 903 condominium at 1050 Longboat Club

SEAPLACE

Eric Garwood

Built in 1967, the home at 258 Robin Drive has four bedrooms, four-and-ahalf baths, a pool and 4,607 square feet of living area.

their Unit 403 condominium at 1485 Gulf of Mexico Drive to James and Rebecca Wopperer, of Grand Island, New York, for $795,000. Built in 1981, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,366 square feet of living area.

It sold for $295,000 in 1996.

Road to David and Susan Eaton, of Boise, Idaho, for $879,000.

Built in 1974, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,409 square feet of living area. It sold for $370,000 in 2009.

BIRD KEY

Wendy MacDonald and Michael Foley, trustees, of London, sold the home at 315 Bobwhite Way to Jeffrey and Melissa Barlow, of Gloucester, Massachusetts, for $850,000. Built in 1972, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,757 square feet of living area. It sold for $495,000 in 2011.

LIDO HARBOUR SOUTH

Lawrence and Lisa Pryor, of Providence, Rhode Island, sold

Michael Suarez, trustee, of Schaumburg, Illinois, sold the Unit 203 condominium at 2233 Harbourside Drive to LaVern and Linda Bremmer, of Dexter, Michigan, for $602,500. Built in 1984, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,224 square feet of living area.

WHITNEY BEACH

311 Whitney LLC sold the Unit 311 condominium at 6701 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Thomas Fox Jr. and Sandra Fox, of Sarasota, for $545,000. Built in 1971, it has one bedroom, one bath and 936 square feet of living area.

SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 22

Work with JoDene

YOUR NEWS.

JoDene Moneuse

Realtor ®, Certified Staging Agent

941.302.4913

LongboatKeyLiving.com

Top Agent 2019 & 2020 in units sold 2019 & 2020 Masters Award winner 31-year Longboat Key resident Michael Saunders & Company’s “Best of the Best” top performers 2019 & 2020 Five-Star customer service award-winner Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

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HARBOUR OAKS AT LONGBOAT KEY CLUB

Robert Foti, of Sarasota; Linda Barreira, of Lawrence, New York; Carol Ann Caligiuri, of Sarasota; and Richard John Foti, of Spring Hill, sold their Unit 404 condominium at 2110 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Mark Loughead, of Nokomis, for $760,000. Built in 1968, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,248 square feet of living area.

It sold for $412,000 in 2003.

THE PLAYERS CLUB

Joseph Minola, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the Unit M2-505-A condominium at 1945 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Franklin Tate Jr. and Yin May Lee Tate, of Davidsonville, Maryland, for $725,000. Built in 1978, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,265 square feet of living area.

The Observer has invested in new technology, so you can enjoy a more personalized online experience.

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

OUR EXCLUSIVE Luxury Collection

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

WE ARE GLOBAL LUXURY PROPERTY SPECIALIST Certified Broker/Associate, CRB, CRS, GRI

New Construction - Longboat Key

Players Club

Hundred Palms Ranch

WWW.5840GMD.COM

WWW.1425GOM201.COM

WWW.215PINERANCHE.COM

$4,295,000

$1,897,500

$4,500,000

5840 GULF OF MEXICO DR 4BR/4BA | 2HB | 4,247 SQFT Welcome to your well-deserved paradise! Here on Longboat Key, retreat to a gorgeous, newly constructed, canal front getaway on the East side of this esteemed tropical island.

1425 GULF OF MEXICO DR UNIT #201 | 3BR/3.5BA | 2,107 SQFT Have you been desperately looking for that 3-bedroom, full Gulf front condo? Boy, have we got news for you!

See and hear the waves splashing from your 30-foot balcony or your master bedroom here at the prestigious Players Club on Longboat Key.

215 PINE RANCH EAST RD 2BR/2BA | 1HB | 2,321 SQFT | 9.5 ACRES Truly rare French Country home secluded on 9.5 Acres of premier buildable land. Minutes from world renown beaches, downtown Sarasota, prestigious golf and country clubs, top rated schools, and hospitals.

The Oaks - Bayside

The Pearl

St Armands Place

PENDING

SOLD

WWW.282OSPREYPOINTDRIVE.COM

$1,589,000

282 OSPREY POINT DRIVE 3BR/4.5BA | 4,599 SQFT One of Florida's finest Estate homes, this residence is the definition of luxury and design; situated in the coveted gated neighborhood of The Oaks in Sarasota, known for its beautiful tree-lined streets and gorgeous landscaping.

SOLD

WWW.609GOLDENGATEPOINT501.COM

WWW.254SPOLKDRIVE.COM

$2,690,000

$2,495,000

609 GOLDEN GATE POINT UNIT #501 | 3BR/3BA | 1HB | 2,750 SQFT The most striking 5th-floor penthouse located in the nearly newly constructed Pearl at sought-after Golden Gate Point community is sure to impress the moment you walk through the door.

Gulfstream Towers

254 S POLK UNIT #102 | 3BR/4BA | 2,742 SQFT Relish an open floor plan with coastal contemporary finishes and wondrous full Gulf of Mexico views.

Water Club

La Bellasara

SOLD

SOLD

WWW.33GULFSTREAM406.COM

SOLD

WWW.THE

$344,000

33 S GULFSTREAM AVE UNIT #406 | 2BR/2BA | 1,055 SQFT Beautiful 4th floor residence, where over the treetops, you can see the Bay. Complete with sleek hardwood floors, granite countertops, and the furniture is negotiable.

WWW.464GGPPH9C.COM

LYNNEKOYGROUP.COM

SOLD PRICE OF $1,995,000

1241 GULF OF MEXICO DR UNIT #908 | 3BR/3BA | 2,965 SQFT Dover residence is established with dramatic full Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay views that span out through every room of the unit.

INVOLVED CITIZENS

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

SOLD PRICE OF $4,700,000

464 GOLDEN GATE POINT PH9C | 3BR/3BA | 1HB | 6,066 SQFT Imagine a luxurious penthouse with views so captivating and vast it satisfies all your desires. Furnished and deeded with a 65' capacity boat dock.

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

GLOBAL MARKETING REACH

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provides sophisticated real estate service with exceptional personal attention and unmatched market experience. The Lynne Koy Group can provide you with the experience you deserve. For real estate representation built on trust and client satisfaction, call now at 941-387-1824

Lynne | Courtney

359998-1

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021

Real estate FROM PAGE 20

SEASCAPE

Jay LaRusso and Allison Carroll, personal representative, of Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, sold the Unit 203 condominium at 5135 Gulf of Mexico Drive to NAH Holdings LLC for $530,000. Built in 1985, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,516 square feet of living area.

WINDWARD BAY

Carol Lambert, of Louisville, Kentucky, sold their Unit 302 condominium at 4430 Exeter Drive to Robert and Linda Flora, of Fenton, Michigan, for $465,000. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 992 square feet of living area.

Nancy Prendergast and Augusto Pichard, trustees, sold the Unit 102 condominium at 4320 Falmouth Drive to Julie Doughty, of Osprey, for $459,000. Built in 1969, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,072 square feet of living area.

Joseph Fabrizio and Tracey Terry, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their Unit PH-5 condominium at 4540 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Peter and Kathleen Rossi, of Phoenix, New York, for $525,000. Built in 1975, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,096 square feet of living area.

Gerald and Judith Aakeberg, of Winter Springs, sold their Unit 107 condominium at 4400 Exeter Drive to Andrea Art, of Pray, Montana, for $449,000.

Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 1,152 square feet of living area.

SLEEPY LAGOON

Ash Hale Properties LLC sold the home at 6541 Gulfside Road to Marc and Renee Preininger, of Lakeview Ranch, for $512,000. Built in 1973, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,164 square feet of living area.

Carmela Picardi sold her Unit C-212 condominium at 3806 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Rohit Patel Puja Thakkar, of Danville, California, for $385,000. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,062 square feet of living area.

COMPANION WAY

FIRST LONGBOAT HARBOUR

Three Together Partnership sold the home at 540 Companion Way to Patricia and Bradley Cannon, trustees, of Newburyport, Massachusetts, for $503,500. Built in 1955, it has one bedroom, one bath and 713 square feet of living area.

LONGBOAT HARBOUR

These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of June 17-23 in order of dollar amounts.

L O N G B OAT K E Y ADDRESS 5481 Gulf of Mexico Drive

PERMIT Interior alterations

APPLICANT AMOUNT Edward Gutierrez $218,258

Kitchen and bath

Scott Veazey

#207 1945 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Warren David Vrescak and Kelly Connor Vrescak, of Roanoke, Virginia, sold their Unit 105 condominium at 4420 Exeter Drive to James Adams Jr., trustee, of Longboat Key, for $380,000. Built in 1970, it has one bedroom, one bath and 837 square feet of living area.

$143,846

#308 renovation 435 L’Ambiance Drive #H602 Kitchen renovation

David C. Arch

$140,178

500 Gunwale Lane

Kevin Pozulp

$118,333

Bathroom

renovation 1000 Longboat Club Road

Electrical,

#201

plumbing, cabinetry

585 Sanctuary Drive #B301

Kitchen and foyer

William Garrison

$97,421

Nick Vandenbrekel

$95,000

Frank Cracolici

$87,220

Paul Thomas

$72,778

renovation 455 Longboat Club Drive

Bathroom

#306 renovation 415 L’Ambiance Drive #B502 Kitchen and bath

BEACH HARBOR CLUB

Carolyn Zehnder, Michael Zehnder, Mark Zehnder and

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

renovation 2110 Harbourside Drive #558 Bathroom

Michael Sirchis

$70,000

Randall Welch

$51,843

John Frank

$49,051

renovation 6201 Gulf of Mexico Drive

New construction

plumbing 5481 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Bathroom

#405 renovation 603 Longboat Club Road

Resurface pool

Longboat Key Towers $39,000

660 Russell St.

Swimming pool

Thomas Palazzolo

$38,564

3500 Fair Oaks Lane

Resurface pool

Bay Isles Association

$35,000

640 Lyons Lane

Pool and deck

Jim Mark Spurgin

$30,000

2945 Pyrula Drive

Electrical

Steven Marks

$30,000

628 Lyons Lane

Dock

Wasim Rahman

$26,763

5930 Emerald Harbor Drive

Siding

Frank Cox

$25,260

3010 Grand View Blvd. #431 A/C switchout

Irene Keeley

$20,600

2110 Harbourside Drive #558 Hurricane shutters

Michael Sirchis

$18,322

Source: Town of Longboat Key

Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce

Longboat Key's

4

TH

of July

FREEDOM FEST

9:15 to 11 a.m. Sunday, July 4, Bicentennial Park on Bay Isles Road $500 Prize. Cannons Marina is offering a $500 cash prize to the most patriotic business entry in Parade the parade (as long as there is a minimum of 10 business entries). Floats may be any motorized vehicle with 4 wheels e.g. golf cart, auto, van, trailer, etc. To enter, please call the chamber at Food 383-2466. Registration fee is $25 for business floats and there is no charge for non-profit floats.

Games Face Painting Balloon Artist

Ponies Sand Art Stilt Walker Scarlett Jo"HAM"sson "Hot Diggity Dog" Contest w/ Prizes

Kid Games & Butterfly Release. Fun games for kids of all ages 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 into the park, organized by the Longboat Key Garden Club.

Presenting Sponsor

Food Sponsor

Beverage Sponsor

Venue Sponsor

Supporting Sponsors

Games Sponsor 359570-1

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

Bruce Myer

Realtor

|

THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021

®

941.387.1847

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

TANGERINE BAY CLUB • 380 Gulf of Mexico Dr., #511 Direct bayfront views from this 3BR/3.5BA residence. $1,195,000 380gulfofmexico511.com

ISLANDS WEST • 2525 Gulf of Mexico Dr. #14C Spacious 2BR/2BA, 14th floor residence with Gulf, Bay and City views. $1,095,000 2525gulfofmexico14c.com

CASTEL DEL MARE • 1622 Stickney Point Road #101 Beautifully kept, turnkey furnished 1BR/1BA walk-out residence a short stroll to Siesta Key beaches. $249,000

Pending!

FAIRWAY BAY • 1932 Harbourside Dr., #251 Updated and furnished 2BR/2BA, residence with Bay views. $679,000 1932harbourside251.com

MORE LISTINGS COMING SOON! Wondering where to start your home search?

CALL BRUCE MYER 941.387.1847 IN 2021 OVER $86 MILLION IN SOLD & PENDING SALES

Bruce@BruceMyer.com 360511-1

www.BruceMyer.com

Follow us at www.brucemyerblog.com

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021

FORECAST

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FRIDAY, JULY 2

Submit your photos at YourObserver. com/ Weather. All submissions will be entered for the 202122 Weather and Nature photo contest.

In February 2022, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card.

SUNRISE / SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, July 1

6:39a 8:29p

High: 86 Low: 79 Chance of rain: 24%

Friday, July 2

6:39a

8:29p

Saturday, July 3

6:39a

8:29p

Sunday, July 4

6:40a

8:29p

SATURDAY, JULY 3

Monday, July 5

6:40a

8:29p

Tuesday, July 6

6:41a

8:29p

Wednesday, July 7

6:41a

8:29p

High: 87 Low: 79 Chance of rain: 23%

SUNDAY, JULY 4 High: 88 Low: 77 Chance of rain: 24%

TIDES

Jane Novacek captured this image of a great blue heron on Longboat Key.

MOON PHASES

July 23 Full

July 31 Last

Aug. 8 New

Highs

Aug. 15 First

Lows

Thursday, July 1

7:03a 6:07p 12:40a 1:12p

Friday, July 2

7:32a 7:46p

1:18a 2:40p

Saturday, July 3

8:02a 9:28p

1:55a

3:50p

Sunday, July 4

8:32a

11:00p

2:31a

4:48p

Monday, July 5

9:04a

—

3:06a

5:38p

Tuesday, July 6

12:20a

9:38a

3:38a

6:22p

12:12a Wednesday, July 7 1:27a

4:07a

7:04a

MANASOTA FLOORING INC 349225-1

941.355.8437 | Bradenton

941.748.4679 | Venice

PRO by Ella Dershowitz and Matthew Stock; CROSSWORD TURNING Edited by David Steinberg

©2021 Universal Uclick

ACROSS 1 Longtime sporty Ford, briefly 6 Like a mostly negative review 13 Vietnam neighbor 17 Plaster mural 18 When a movie begins 19 Sina ___ (microblogging site) 20 Pack your tent and leave 21 Fab Five’s TV program 22 Underworld 23 Inverse (Across theme hint: In this answer, look down after letter 6) 25 Apt rhyme of “grab”

26 Fire-prevention bear 28 Glum 29 Green-lighted 30 ___ bag (expo giveaway) 32 Alley-___ 33 Do well 36 Common med. scan 37 Kerfuffle (... letter 3) 41 Apple on Apple Music 43 ___ vu 45 Where St. Louis is 47 Filming device, informally 48 Actor Guinness 51 Snip or clip 52 Tussaud’s title, for short 53 Feuding 54 Many kilt wearers

56 Unit on a utility bill 58 Hurdle over 60 Cribbage markers 61 Afro-Caribbean music genre 63 Angry 64 Quibble 66 Elite groups 69 “Taste the explosion!” candy (... letter 4) 71 Aquafina alternative 73 Photographer Goldin whose first name is palindromic 74 “How’s it goin’?”

76 Early Greek astronomer 78 Red-rinded cheese

79 Fine distinction 82 Cocktail with cranberry juice, casually 83 Kansas or Arkansas 84 Daisy support 85 “Minari” director ___ Isaac Chung 86 Follow a snowy trail 87 e-tron automaker 89 ___-Mex 90 Spot for a slippery bar 92 Fails to be 94 Strongly encouraged 96 “It’s fine!” (... letter 4) 97 Fishing implement 99 Compilation of bad takes?

941.493.7441 | www.manasotaonline.com

102 “... man ___ mouse?”

103 App purchaser 105 Move like molasses 106 Beer hall option 109 Poolside hangout 112 “Te ___” 113 Place to order a beer (... letter 4) 116 Afikomen finder on Passover 117 New look 120 Morphine, e.g.

121 TikTok upload 122 Mr. Peanut’s brand 123 First act 124 Pester with emails 125 Nasal passages 126 Kind of code in 16-Down’s clue DOWN 1 Baobabs and birches 2 “Bachelor Happy Hour” host Kufrin 3 Parent’s words after “Because” 4 Ottawa law force, for short 5 Not disappoint (Down theme hint: Look right after letter 4) 6 Landed heavily 7 Sorrow 8 Olympian Jesse 9 Tan floor covering 10 Dress shirt clasp 11 Youngest sister in “Little Women” 12 “Mudbound” director Dee 13 Tightly sealed (... letter 6) 14 Helper 15 Follow orders 16 ...---...

17 Fireside chats prez 18 Cry of excitement 19 “My bad!”

24 Sooners’ capital, briefly 27 Desktop item that might have a wrist rest 31 “I want that!”

34 Some, in Spanish 35 Convert from code 38 Enjoying dinner for two, perhaps 39 Was the first to portray

40 Tailor’s concern 41 Design on a mug?

42 British electropop pioneer 44 Double Dutch need (... letter 5) 46 Muslim prayer leader 47 Channel with hearings 49 And so on (Abbr.)

50 Go dry, like lips 55 Airport agcy.

57 Skip the big wedding 58 Bounds along 59 Org. opposed to flavored cigars 62 Jazz musician’s joy 65 Smartwatch maker 67 Popular web portal 68 Old TV’s “The Ed ___ Show” 70 Actress/activist Watson 72 Complete group 75 Cobbler cousins 77 “If I Ain’t Got ___” (Alicia Keys song) 80 Ad-lib comedy (... letter 4) 81 India’s first prime minister 83 Address for a king 84 XXX-XX-XXXX ID 86 What accompanies a course list?

88 Fifth Amendment right (... letter 5) 91 El ___ (lost city) 93 Winery visitors 95 National park in Montana 98 Resident of Japan’s thirdlargest city 100 Their teeth are called cogs 101 Cori Bush or AOC 104 Plant stabilizers 107 Tilts 108 ___ Lauder 109 Guacamole scooper 110 Musical set in Egypt 111 Hypes (up) 114 Research on a political rival, briefly 115 Spanish for “to be” 116 Walgreens rival 118 Wong of comedy 119 Geese formation

CELEBRITY CIPHER

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“JRMXDY XU MPO JTUODRO BW JRMXDY. XM’U TOSXOIXDY XD MPO MGKMP BW MPO FBFODM VBK JGO RGOJMXDY.”

YJGV TKUOV

“D’X B AFHBXHF. D IBTH RM AFHBX BCA FHBPI LMF RIH NRBFN, BCA DL D XDNN B NRBF RIHC D YFBE B IBCALOU ML PUMOAN.” XDWH RVNMC Puzzle Two Clue: T equals V

Sarasota

SAVE ON SELECT COLORS & STYLE

Puzzle One Clue I equals V

HARDWOOD

© 2021 NEA, Inc.

SUDOKU

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

©2021 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

07-01-21

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

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

|

25

THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021

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

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

941.587.1700

Judy Kepecz-Hays

$2.2 BILLION IN CAREER SALES

Steven Kepecz

941.376.6411

$108 Million Closed Sales January 1 – June 28, 2021 RITZ-CARLTON MANAGED 5-STAR RESORT STYLE LIVING

1300 Benjamin Franklin Drive #606 $2,675,000 3 bedrooms or 2 master bedrooms en-suite plus a den. 2 parking spaces under building.

Ritz-Carlton membership negotiable. www.TheBeachResidences606.com MLS A4445110

1300 Benjamin Franklin Drive #308 $2,700,000 Furnished Two-bedrooms 2256 sq. ft. Enclosed 2-car garage.

Oversized 1100 sq. ft. terrace. Ritz-Carlton beach/spa membership included. www.TheBeachResidences308.com MLS A4497402

1300 Benjamin Franklin Drive #804 $3,750,000 Furnished SUNSET and SUNRISE views. 3 bedrooms plus den or 4 bedrooms. 2 parking spaces under building.

Ritz-Carlton beach/spa membership included. www.TheBeachResidences804.com MLS A4493203

“We have worked with Judy over many years, buying & selling property on Longboat Key. Each time, Judy and her team carry out their duties with honesty, integrity and respect - very often going that extra mile! We were kept informed every step of the way and knew each time that the sale/ purchase was in safe hands – very reassuring when we live in the UK.” – Michael & Helen McArdl Newcastle, United Kingdom | April 16, 2021

“Judy took the time to understand exactly what we were looking for in a new home, and used her extensive knowledge and contacts in the area to find great options for us in a limited market. We always knew she was looking out for us to find the right property.”

– Ed Michael Evanston, IL | June 2021

2295 Gulf of Mexico Drive #34S $785,000 Partially Furnished 2 bed / 2 bath. Residence completely updated including new hurricane windows and doors. Garden views.

State of the art fitness center, social room, Jr. Olympic size pool. Walk to Publix. Ready for instant enjoyment. www.IslanderClub34S.com | MLS A4502448 359627-1

THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021

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BUY ccarrs..

WE BUY ttoopp $$$ ppaaidd ffoorr yoouur vveehhiicclees.

Caalll H Haaw wlleeyy M Moottoorrss:: C 994411--992233--3344221..

TO rent rent on on an annual WANTED TO basis on the north end of Longboat Key 941-383-1210

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

stuff

LEAP FROG FROG Little Office Office LEAP learning center $13, cast iron bathroom sink w/faucet, round $35 386-627-1912 PIPE FURNITURE FURNITURE 22 reclining reclining PIPE chairs with ottomans $50 (386) 627-8716

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

Marina slip slip Marina for sale. Longboat Key Club.

Moorings Lot C-01. $150k.

62 x 21.

Call Steve: 727-898-9388.

Condos/Apts. for Rent OR RR RE EN NTT ANNA FO ANNA MARIA MARIA O FO ISLAND UPDATED 5 STAR CONDO. Available September November (monthly with multimonth discounts) millions $ waterview, first floor, 2br/2b, patio, walk to beach, pool, tennis, smoke free, boat slip available. marketreps@aol.com

Homes for Rent COTTAGE COZY COTTAGE Sandpiper AMI 55+. 1.5 minute walk to the beach or bay, near pool. 1BA/1BR, W/D for sale or rent.

Call: 941-251-4767 leave message.

Autos Wanted STORAGE FACILITY FACILITY Boat/ Boat/ STORAGE RV/ Trailer.

Trailer. Secure Secure facility, facility, low low RV/ monthly rentals, rentals, Clark Clark Rd Rd area. area. monthly 941-809-3660, 941-809-3662.

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KEY: Beachfront Beachfront LONGBOAT KEY: Condos, 1st or 2nd floor, 2BR/2BA, W/D in units, free Wi-Fi, heated pool, & parking.

Call 941-383-3338.

WEEKLY MONTHLY SEASONAL Rates Beachfront, Bayfront and In Between Houses or Condos Reservations 941-383-5577 wagnerlbkrentals@gmail.com Visa/MC 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.rentalsonlongboat.com

Epic Home Care Personal Care-Respite Care Alzheimer’s CareLight Cleaning Med AdministrationMeal Prep Shopping, Errands & More Call for a FREE Evaluation!

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359634 359634

classified Deadline for classified advertising in the July 8 issue will be be due due will on on FRIDAY, July 2nd at 12pm.

LBK MOORINGS MOORINGS Slip Slip Rental, Rental, LBK 60‘ x 18’ Open Water View R/8 Dock. $650.00 per month.

Jennifer 727-831-3133.

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Insurance

SECUR-ALL INSURANCE AGENCY

Sandra Smith

| 941.383.3388

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

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CLASSIFIED A ADVERTTIIS SIN NG G C ARLY EA DEADLINE D The Observer will be closed on July 5th in observance of the Fourth of July.

ADVERTISE YOUR YOUR ADVERTISE MERCHANDISE MERCHANDISE with the the total total value value of of all all with items $200 $200 or or less less in in this this items section for for FREE! FREE! Limit Limit 11 ad ad section per month,15 month,15 words words or or less. less. per Price must must be be included included next next to Price each item. item. No No commercial commercial each advertising. advertising.

Ad runs runs 22 consecutive consecutive weeks weeks Ad in 11 Observer.

Observer. in Call 941-955-4888 941-955-4888 Call Or Email Email ad ad to: to: Or classified@yourobserver.com provide your name (Please provide and address) Or Online at: www.yourobserver.com www.yourobserver.com Or mail mail to: to: Or The Observer Observer Group Group The 1970 Main Main St. St. -- 3rd 3rd Floor Floor 1970 Sarasota, Fl Fl 34236 34236 Sarasota,

Boat Slips for Rent/Sale

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This week’s Crossword answers

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BEFORE

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25

UP TO

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Form Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

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EMAIL ANY INTEREST OR QUESTIONS TO:

Lic./Ins.

& Pressure C Window lean t e s ing as Sunrise Wi n w o n k Sun y l nd er

Mike Mailliard ~ Lacey Weaver Allen Hovis ~ Matthew Mailliard Chloe Gardner ~ Julia McIlrevey Simone Paton

LONGBOAT KEY FULL-TIME RESIDENT

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Cleaning

27

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “Acting is the absence of acting. It’s believing in the truth of the moment you are creating.”

Gary Busey Puzzle Two Solution: “I’m a dreamer. I have to dream and reach for the stars, and if I miss a star then I grab a handful of clouds.”

Mike Tyson

This week’s Sudoku answers

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THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021

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THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021

ROGER SELLS

LUXURY WATERFRONT PROPERTIES

MORE THAN $181 MILLION PENDING AND SOLD IN 2021

3731 INDIAN BEACH ROAD

$6,495,000

1300 CASEY KEY ROAD

$3,495,000

Built in 2006 with the exceptionally high standards of Triangle Construction, designed with energy efficient and sustainable materials, this 5BR, lavish bayfront residence is the epitome of luxury waterfront living. The perfect place to escape, with its enviable central location minutes from downtown, verdant gardens protecting the nearly one-acre of property, and a beautifully elaborate interior that is ready for you to immediately enjoy.

An enviable direct Gulf-to-bay location is the highlight at this 3BR bungalow on the private island of Casey Key. This unique parcel offers nearly 100’ of direct beach frontage with an additional peninsula that juts out to the sailboat waters of Little Sarasota Bay, and includes a protected dock in a sheltered basin with multiple boating possibilities. Create your own dream-home experience at this remote jewel.

www.3731IndianBeach.com

www.1300CaseyKey.com

2202 MCCLELLAN PARKWAY

$1,495,000

100 SANDS POINT ROAD #115 $1,350,000

This beautifully updated and well-maintained colonial style home perfectly complements the family-friendly, historic neighborhood of McClellan Park.

Set on an oversized corner parcel spanning nearly half an acre, you will love the recent renovations found throughout the exterior and interior of this 5BR residence that preserve its original architectural details while also creating a fresh and sunny ambiance in every room.

Spectacular sunsets abound from nearly every room of this immaculately updated 2,000 SF furnished residence within walking distance to Longboat Key Club. Situated directly on the white sandy beaches of the Gulf, where you can walk out to enjoy sparkling azure waters a few steps from your own rarely available patio. The walls of newer, impact glass showcase breathtaking beach views that stretch on forever.

www.2202McClellanParkway.com

www.SandsPoint115.com

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

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. . . t i a W But

S ’ E R THE !

E R MO

XNLV19038

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PLACE YOUR ORDER! SCF.edu/FallMenu | Text 941-304-5443 | Call 941-752-5050 State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota. State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota does not discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, religion, age, national origin/ethnicity, color, marital status, disability, genetic information or sexual orientation in any of its educational programs, services and activities, including admission and employment. Direct inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies to: Equity Officer, 941-752-5323, 5840 26th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34207.

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