Longboat Observer 8.5.21

LONGBOAT

Observer Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978

A warm welcome back.

PAGE 18

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

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FREE THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

VOLUME 43, NO. 52

YOUR TOWN

Coming in waves Red tide effects ebb and flow as town deals with dead fish and odors. PAGE 9

Courtesy photo

Fight crime, win awards Lido Key resident Tom Weitzel got a retirement present full of memories upon his departure from police work in May. The Riverside, Illinois, chief of police and longtime advocate for Fight Crime: Invest in Kids was presented with a plaque as a thank-you for his work on behalf of kids.

Weitzel spent 37 years in the police department of Riverside and was police chief and co-chair of a Fight Crime Invest in Kids chapter for 13 of those years.

Throughout his career, he worked with policymakers and advocated for earlychildhood education and after-school programs as ways to help address root causes of crime.

So long, salon

Tina’s is closing, but namesake owner plans to keep cutting. SEE PAGE 4

This way to paradise All signs point to The Paradise Center.

The town of Longboat Key updated its Bay Isles Road signage and added the organization. The Paradise Center opened its own facility in 2019 and added a suite of medical professionals, who operate out of the building a few days a week.

In addition to the primary care doctor; ear, nose and throat specialist; podiatrist; and dermatologist, The Paradise Center also offers exercise classes, such as yoga and Zumba, and social activities, such as movie showings.

Turtle Tracks LONGBOAT July 25-31

2021 2020 Nests 32 26 False Crawls 62 13 Totals since April 25

2021 2020 Nests 1,011 1,114 False Crawls 1,409 1,291 Source: Mote Marine Laboratory

Mark Bergin

Tina Panagiotopoulos works on customer Daisy Swartz’s hair on a recent visit to the shop, which opened in 1987.

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Take a look at Station 92 A sneak peek at the town’s new firehouse.

SEE PAGE 2

Mark Bergin

Among Station 92’s new facilities, Fire Chief Paul Dezzi shows, is a series of showers firefighters will use to wash away potentially hazardous materials before they can enter the living quarters.

The circus returns.

SEE PAGE 17

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

COMING IN

HOT

March 20, 2018: Voters approve funding for replacement of Station 92 and renovation of Station 91.

April 30, 2019: Jon Swift/Wharton Smith engaged as construction manager of both projects.

March 26, 2019: Sweet Sparkman engaged as architect of both fire station projects.

Not long ago, Longboat Key’s Fire Station 92 was just a drawing. Now it’s nearly ready for firefighters to move in.

MARK BERGIN | STAFF WRITER

I

t won’t be long before firefighters move into their new home, Station 92 on the south end of the Key.

The town plans a grand opening at 10 a.m. Aug.

11. The next day, firefighters are expected to leave their adjacent temporary quarters in a mobile home and unpack in their new digs.

“Anything new is a resort,” Fire Chief Paul Dezzi said.

Before the opening, the Longboat Observer got a tour of the new $4.25 million station from Dezzi and Public Information Officer Tina Adams.

om se.c

Photos by Mark Bergin

Tina Adams and Paul Dezzi stand in front of the massive map featured near the public entrance of Fire Station 92.

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February-March 2020: Plans finalized for temporary housing on site of Station 92.

March-April 2020: Bids and guaranteed maximum prices finalized.

March-April 2020: Contracts amended to construction phases from previous design/development phases.

June 2020: Demolition started, and south-side firefighters began living in a temporary trailer.

BUGS BE GONE

The town’s contractor experienced a delay in the delivery of garage doors because of a manufacturing disruption at a plant in Texas, Town Manager Tom Harmer said.

The delay prompted a later opening for Fire Station 92, which was initially supposed to begin operation in May. The town finally received and installed the garage doors, the big ones and smaller ones, in July.

The ventilation system is one of several ways the fire station is designed to combat carcinogens, venting them out of the confined spaces when the trucks start and return Also, the ceiling of the garage is

YOU PAID FOR IT, YOU NOW HAVE ACCESS TO IT

Anyone entering Fire Station 92 on the south end of the building will immediately see a map along one of the walls featuring every street in Longboat Key. Off the main entryway, the station features a diagnostic room with medical supplies if someone needs treatment or just needs a break from the heat.

“In our old station, … we didn’t actually have a waiting room area,” Adams said. “We didn’t actually have a treatment room

THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

3

May 2021: Opening of fire station gets delayed. The town’s contractor experienced a delay in the delivery of garage doors because of a manufacturing disruption at a plant in Texas.

STOCKING UP

Medical crews will keep their first-aid gear stocked and resupplied for calls through a closet not far from their trucks.

“What we have in here is all of our medical supplies are in one location,” Dezzi said.

A PLACE FOR PAPERWORK

blue, which discourages insects from flying in and hanging out.

Adams said Fire Station 91 added blue ceilings to its bay about three months ago.

“We can actually tell a difference from it as far as it working,” Adams said. “Just from the past that we’ve had, having to go up there and clean.”

area at that station.”

The treatment room is separated from the rest of the facilities at Fire Station 92.

“The crews are secure in their area, yet there’s still that front area, the treatment room center where somebody does need to just come in, sit down, take a breather, relax,” Adams said. “If they are needing that treatment, we now have that treatment room available.”

Longboat Key Fire Rescue personnel are required to file a report with the state after responding to a fire or an EMS call.

“In the past, we basically had an open area,” Dezzi said. “This is now secure for that.”

Adams said the new station will give personnel a quiet area for other work.

“Some guys, they may be doing additional education,” Adams said. “So they can do classes. They have a little bit more privacy.”

PRIVACY AT BEDTIME FOR FIREFIGHTERS

Each bedroom will have a twin bed, a locker for each of the department’s three shifts and a red light that comes on at night for nighttime alarms.

RANK HAS ITS PRIVILEGES

Each shift’s commander will sleep in a bedroom larger than the firefighters’ rooms.

It features a bed, desk, lockers and a full en suite bathroom.

LIVING IT UP

SAFETY FIRST FOR FIREFIGHTERS

A new system is part of an initiative of the International Association of Fire Fighters.

A decontamination area allows firefighters returning from a call to clean and shower to remove possible carcinogens.

“What we do is bring the fire gear in what’s called the extractor, and the extractor is able to wash two sets of fire gear at one time,” Dezzi said.

The area requires returning firefighters to take two showers in separate areas before returning to the station’s living quarters.

“It’s a different mentality if you really think through it,” Dezzi said, “whether it’s a medical call or a fire call, to have to try to think that way.”

KEEPING IN SHAPE — AGAIN

The Fire Rescue Department is still in the process of putting together its gym, but it already features a treadmill, a rowing machine and a stair climber.

It will also feature free weights and a lat pull-down machine.

“I know these guys that work down here are looking forward to getting back into it,” Dezzi said of the crews that lived in a portable trailer for a year.

THE PERSONAL TOUCH

Firefighters will store their individual equipment in a locker room-style, air-conditioned room.

The members of Fire Station 92 each have a nameplate marking

IT’S A DRY HEAT

July 2020: Construction began.

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This is the area firefighters will get their helmet, jacket and other equipment dried after washing.

“We didn’t have this before, and what happens is, after you get done washing your fire gear, you put your gear onto the rack, and then this machine down here blows hot air out of these holes and dries your fire equipment,” Dezzi said.

Dezzi said firefighters will use a spare set of gear until the drying process finishes.

the area where they can put their equipment. “(At the old station), they hung them up in the rooms,” Dezzi said.

“There (were) no names. They were basically thrown in there.”

The kitchen features three refrigerators and three pantries, one for each shift.

“This is where we hope they spend most of their time together,” Adams said.

The kitchen also features two ovens, a gas stovetop, a microwave and a dishwasher.

“I wasn’t really thinking about a double oven, but one of the chief officers said that when we have Thanksgiving and Christmas, we use these ovens all the time, so we put double ovens in,” Dezzi said.

Dezzi said the plan is to put a big-screen TV and reclining chairs in the living room next to the kitchen, which is informally named “Fully Involved.”

NO CHIPS OR PRETZELS IN THIS MACHINE

LOOK FAMILIAR?

Crews can wash soft clothing, bed linens and bathroom towels in a conventional washer and dryer.

Using a vending machine, firefighters can enter their work identification number to access medications they might need to administer to patients, such as Benadryl, epinephrine, or heart and respiratory medication.

“It’s a vending machine, but it’s a medical one, so you pay twice as much money for it,” Dezzi joked.

Dezzi said all of the department’s drugs are in the machines except for narcotics.

“It’s for the firefighters to replenish whatever they may use on the trucks,” Adams said.

EYE ON THE SKY

An automated weather station, with a monitor inside the building, will keep track of a variety of data.

During a hurricane, when firefighters might evacuate the Key, that weather data is transmitted to county emergency managers.

RENOVATIONS AT FIRE STATION 91

The Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department is also finishing up about $807,000 worth of renovations done at Fire Station 91, the department’s north fire station at 5490 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

The town is planning to hold a smaller ceremony for the north station a few weeks after the Aug.

11 event for Station 92.

On July 31, a group of Longboat Key Garden Club volunteers planted 120 plants at the northend fire station.

In May, the Garden Club added similar landscaping to the southend fire station.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

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One final cut Salon located at 5620 Gulf of Mexico Drive has been open since 1987.

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

On a rainy Wednesday morning in late July, Tina’s Beauty Salon served as a haven for customers needing to dry off and get their hair done.

Business Owner Tina Panagiotopoulos, barber Manny Ninos and co-worker Liz Reed welcomed familiar faces in and out of the salon located at 5620 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

“It’s just like a family,” Panagiotopoulos said. “I still have people, we were all young together. (It’s) still the same people for 30-some years when I first started here.”

One customer needed help opening the front door to make room for her walker. She then

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walked past the waiting area and relaxed into a comfy salon seat.

The familiarity is what has helped Tina’s Beauty Salon call Longboat Key home since 1987.

“This place has been a beauty shop for 44 years,” Panagiotopoulos said. “It was a beauty shop already when I got here.”

However, Longboaters who get their hair cut at Tina’s Beauty Salon will need to make new plans. The salon closes for good Aug. 27.

Starting on Sept. 3, Panagiotopoulos, 70, and Reed plan to bring their services to Design 2000 in Whitney Beach Plaza.

Ninos, 82, says he’s retiring.

“I’m going to miss the people,” Ninos said. “I know I’m going to be — I’m not going to say depressed because it doesn’t mean I’m not happy at home.”

One of Ninos’ longtime customers, Bob Gault, said he was sad to hear the news.

“When he told me the other

Tina Panagiotopoulos and Manny Ninos have known each other since 1982, when they met in Massachusetts.

LONGBOAT

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

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Photo courtesy of Liz Reed

Left: Liz Reed (right) will begin working at Design 2000 in September along with Tina Panagiotopoulos. In the background, Panagiotopoulos worked on customer Daisy Swartz’s hair.

Above: Manny Ninos has cut the hair of three generations of Longboaters.

day, I was just like, boom. It was like a gut punch,” Gault said.

“Boom, he’s leaving.”

Asked why Gault remained loyal to Ninos for years, he mentioned the friendly conversations and the many times he received a “hell of a good haircut.”

“You just feel like you’re going over to a friend’s place to get a haircut,” Gault said.

FROM MASSACHUSETTS TO LONGBOAT KEY

Panagiotopoulos and Ninos’ friendship began in 1982 when they met in Massachusetts.

“The husbands decided to move to Florida, (and) the wives followed,” Panagiotopoulos said.

Panagiotopoulos and Ninos opened a barber shop and salon

next door to each other, and Ninos worked his own business until a brief retirement in 2007. When he came back, he began working at Tina’s. The secret to longevity is their kindness.

“I have not met a person I don’t like here,” Panagiotopoulos said.

“And a couple of people, you humor them, and you like them.

It’s part of the business. There’s always someone. You can humor them and love them.”

Ninos has cut the hair of three generations of Longboaters.

“From my point of view, I can say a million times, I can say, ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you to the people,’” Ninos said.

“I hope (the) first customer, they can follow her wherever she goes.

They are good people.”

forth, so I lost my tenant.”

Hamilton also said the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the loss of another tenant, Gulf Waters Massage.

Panagiotopoulos said Hamilton told her on May 1 that he wasn’t planning to renew their agreement, providing her a 60-day notice to vacate.

“They’re devastated, by the way,” Panagiotopoulos said of her customers.

Hamilton offered Panagiotopoulos a commercial unit in his 5610 Gulf of Mexico Drive property, but she chose another route.

Hamilton said he accepted Kevin Pass’ offer of a five-year lease for the property at 5620 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

“They were interested in the

Panagiotopoulos is also appreciative of her customers.

“It’s more bitter than sweet, of course,” Panagiotopoulos said.

“Sweet for being here with all those people. You meet all these people.”

PLANS FOR THE PROPERTY

Property owner Shawn Hamilton purchased the building at 5620 Gulf of Mexico Drive in January 2019 for $1.13 million.

Hamilton said he had problems renting out the other commercial unit next to Tina’s Beauty Salon.

“It’s so hard, that unit No. 1,” Hamilton said. “I had it leased out for five years to a rental company, and the (town) wouldn’t allow it, permit to occupy it as a rental for golf carts and scooters and so

whole building, so basically, I accepted their offer to lease for a new restaurant in that whole building,” Hamilton said. “So they’re determining right now whether they’re going to refurbish that building, or they’re going to replace it with a whole new structure, so that’s still in negotiations right now.”

No formal applications have been made to the town about the proposed changes, which would require Planning and Zoning Board approval.

Even so, at least one person is confident everything will be OK. “I know it’s going to work out,” Panagiotopoulos said. “They’re nice people where (I’m going), but it’s not going to be the same.

“It’s not going to be this place.”

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With spending plan on deck for approval in September, 2021 budget remains on track.

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

T

he town of Longboat Key is more than three-fourths of the way through its current fiscal year, and leaders are pleased with how spending and income are matching up with the soonto-close 2021 fiscal year budget.

During the July 30 Longboat Key Investment Advisory/Finance Committee meeting, Town Manager Tom Harmer briefed members on how the town had spent about $12.07 million or 69.6% of its annual amended budget of $17.34 million as of June 30. The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

“As a benchmark, we look at 75% as one of the ways we analyze the numbers and see what functions or areas of the general fund may be trending unusually low or usually high,” Harmer said.

The town has collected $13.89 million or 94.5% of the revenues out of the $14.7 million that is budgeted. A year ago, the town had collected 93.5%.

Harmer said the figures show the town is in a “really good spot.”

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money to be able to maintain your level of service, but you don’t know what the actual expenses will be,” Harmer said. “And so the good thing is when we come with revenues a little bit higher and expenses a little bit lower, all that money then goes back into the fund for the commission then to reapply for priorities next year, etc.”

The town’s year-to-year legal expenses are up 9% in the past year. However, the $232,519 spent (59%) in the legal costs during fis-

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

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Changes to the American Rescue Plan increase financial assistance, making more people eligible for help.

Mark Bergin

cal year 2021 is still less than the year-to-date measure of 75%.

The town hired outside law firms earlier this year for possible right-of-way acquisitions, for the St. Regis hearings this fall and to evaluate the possibility of filing litigation after the June 2020 sewage break. However, the cost of the firms is charged based on category.

“Some of it gets charged to the project,” Harmer said. “So like the wastewater leak, those legal fees would be charged to the utility.

These were legal fees to the general fund.”

However, Harmer said legal fees in the general fund include the town’s exploration of hiring an outside law firm to review the Gulfstream Avenue and U.S. 41 roundabout in Sarasota. The reason to hire outside counsel was to see if Longboat Key had any legal grounds to oppose the Florida Department of Transportation’s project, which town officials have said would be a detriment to smooth-flowing traffic on and off the barrier islands.

Longboat Key leaders have expressed their concerns for years about the Gulfstream-U.S.

41 project as construction got underway at the end of March.

The town also allocated $50,000 in the $240,000 contingency budget for red tide cleanup expenses. The town in 2018 spent nearly $60,000 on red tide, some of which was reimbursed.

On Friday, Harmer emailed his recommended budget for fiscal year 2022 to the Town Commission, which is on its regular twomonth summer break.

In July, town commissioners set the maximum base millage rate of 2.1144, which is unchanged since fiscal year 2018 budget. Longboat Key’s 2021 certified property values rose 5.99%.

The millage rate can still be reduced before final passage, but it cannot be raised.

The city of Sarasota, in comparison, set its millage to the socalled rollback rate, which generates the same revenue as the previous year even with rising taxable property values.

Town commissioners are set to hold the first reading of the fiscal year 2022 budget on Sept. 13.

A second reading and adoption of the fiscal year 2022 budget is set for Sept. 27.

Members of the town of Longboat Key’s Investment Advisory and Finance committees met July 30.

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year, many heard about stimulus during the public health crisis. checks, child tax credits and However, the window to enroll Highlights of these support for businesses. But in a health plan to protect recent changes include: the COVID-19 relief law also you and your family from included provisions that medical bills n If you are currently enrolled in anunexpected ACA plan, you may now befor drastically cut health plan costs the rest of 2021 is closing on eligible for more financial assistance toward your monthly bill, for many older adults.

August 15. or upgrade your plan for the same cost. The monthly cost Most individuals who buy their If you’re uninsured will decrease roughly $50 per person and $85 per policyor own health coverage are now interested upgrading your onfind average.* able to plans on the ACA health coverage with the Marketplace with payments savings you’re now eligible receive financial assistance (or a subsidy) in the for, n If you couldn’t no more than 8.5% of their be sure to talk to a licensed past because your income was too high, you may be able to household income. This new health are insurance agentforbefore now. can Approximately 239,000 Floridians now eligible provision translate into August 15. financial assistance substantial cost savingswho for didn’t qualify previously.* In-person and virtual older adults who do not yet n Four out of five people who sign-up for an ACA plan can find enrollment assistance qualify for Medicare. one for $10 or less per month.* Our Florida Blue Center in Previously, when someone’s Sarasota offers personalized household income exceeded If you enrolled in an ACA plan last year, contact Blue for support to Florida help you understand 400% of poverty level, which is help reassessing your financial assistance and your plan. Ouroptions. your health coverage around $70,000 for a couple, licensed agents can explain these recent changes and how they Our staff can provide inthey did not qualify for any may lower your bills. person or virtual one-on-one assistance lowering their consultations to explain what monthly premium payments. additional Florida agents who can speak to you financial assistance But underBlue thehas new law, those you with incomes can still on higher the phone or by video chat to explainmay yourbe eligible for to lower your health coverage costs. qualify for They’ll lowered monthly options. take the time to understand costs.

You can stop by our Florida your budget, your situation, your needs That means a and Sarasota Blue and concerns, then match you to an Center on Cattlemen couple in their early 60s who Road across from The Mall at affordable plan that works for you. was previously paying roughly University Town Center (UTC) $1900 a month for their health or make a virtual appointment You can find an agent located in your plan may now find a plan with online at FloridaBlueCenters. community ready to help you by visiting the same level of benefits for com.

FloridaBlue.com/EnrollNow, less than $600 a month, basedcalling Don’t forget that our Florida contacting on800-670-9271 their income.orThat could our Blue Centers also offer nurses Sarasota Florida Blue in Center at mean $1300 or more savings to help you understand a each month.

(941) 308-2042 at University new diagnosis or upcoming Townhealth Center.plans still 2021 procedure, free Facebook Live available online fitness classes including *Source: Department of Health and Human Services Zumba, Tai Chi and yoga, and Because of the COVID-19 Health insurance is enrollment offered by Blue Cross and2021 Blue Shield ofhelp Florida navigating Inc., DBA Florida Blue. coverage is offered theHMO complicated pandemic, for

by Health Options Inc., DBA Florida Blue HMO. Both companies are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. health plans was reopened to health care system.

As part of the American Rescue Plan consumers and ACA enrollees may benefit from higher subsidies. Amount of subsidy and savings is of benefits provided upon selected withisthe amount of benefits selected.

Health insurance is offereddepends

by Blue Cross andthe Blueplan Shield of Floridaand Inc.,the DBApremium Florida Blue.may HMOvary coverage offered

by Health Options Inc., DBA Florida Blue HMO. Both companies are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. As part of the American Rescue Plan consumers and ACA enrollees may benefit from higher subsidies.

Amount of subsidy and savings is based on subsidy eligibility, annual income, county and the plan selected. These policies have limitations and exclusions.

106060 0521 The amount of benefits provided depends upon the plan selected and the premium may vary with the amount of benefits selected.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

LONGBOAT

OPINION / OUR VIEW

Public education unmasked Parents exposed what’s really going on in Sarasota schools. It’s a case for abolishing public education.

I

f ever there were a moment that exposed all the faults, fallacies and dangers of state-run public education and why it should be abolished, just watch the video of the public comment section of the July 13 Sarasota County School Board meeting.

It is riveting. Stunning. You must watch all of it.

Thirty-six speakers, each with his or her own perspectives and opinions, open the secret doors and shine a floodlight on what’s happening inside the classrooms of Sarasota County public schools — and what they think should be happening.

They unloaded on the school board members. And while the majority of the speakers spoke stridently against forced masking of students and the teaching of critical race theory, the speakers’ opinions covered the galaxy — left, right, in between; praising teachers, excoriating teachers; fervently chastising the three liberal school board members. A few of the speakers made no pretense about telling board members that they — board members — are not the bosses, that the parents and taxpayers are.

Self-described activist Andra Griffin from Manatee County said: “This idea that we have to listen to you is incorrect. You have to listen to us.”

We’re highlighting the entire three-minute comments of parent Melissa Bacundi because of what she exposes — the books, the messages sent to students’ laptops, how middle schoolers were made to watch a Zoom call detailing a man’s journey to becoming a woman, the money the district is spending to hire teachers on the basis of diversity.

You see the defense of the public school system from a Rhana Bazzini. “Given the proper resources,” she said, “it can meet the needs of all students — from the genius to the intellectually challenged, from the superb athlete to the physically challenged.”

And yet the speaker who preceded her, Jennifer Cottrill, was one of three who severely criticized the district’s Exception Student Education program for not treating those students the same as other students.

In particular, Cottrill highlighted what she said is the district’s lack of attention toward the students and teachers in ESE programs. She spoke of favoritism toward the district’s International Baccalaureate programs over the ESE programs and how ESE teachers were afraid to speak out because of fear for their jobs and retaliation.

Another mother, who has served as the president of her school’s parent association, told board members she was not

“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.”

‘MAYBE THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS GOING ON’ The following is a transcript of the remarks of Melissa Bacundi, a parent of Sarasota County middle school student, to the school board at its July 13 meeting: “Board members, Dr. Asplen …

“I’m going to be talking about parental rights, masks and accountability.

“Agenda No. 14 and No. 15 gives mental health care and dental health care to students while at school. That’s a no.

“What’s next? Gender reassignment surgery and abortion while at school?

“Please vote no on this stuff.

You are a school, not a hospital.

Leave this to the parents.

“I forgot. Ms. (Shirley) Brown here has said: “Parents do not have the all-encompassing rights to raise their children.”

“Regarding mask policy, Ms. (Jane) Goodwin wants to remove the mandate only for those who are vaccinated. Ms. Goodwin wants your child to take the experimental COVID vaccine. This vaccine has caused heart failure and death in children.

“Let me be clear, the governor and Commissioner (Richard) Corcoran are against mandatory masks and COVID vaccines in schools.

“We parents will not tolerate such a policy from Ms. Goodwin.

“Item No. 56: Approval of the state equity report…

“Well, we have a problem here because not everyone is following the law.

“The governor passed a law banning (critical race theory) in classrooms.

“School board member Ms. (Bridget) Ziegler commended this law on Fox News (banning CRT being taught in schools).

But these three liberal school board members attacked her because they said CRT is not taught in our schools.

“Well, it appears that Ms. Brown, Ms. Goodwin and Mr. (Tom) Edwards have been snoozing on the job because CRT fills our schools.

“Let’s refresh everyone: “August 2020: Sarasota schools requires teachers to watch CRT training, or cultural linguistic training. Then BLM appears on every Sarasota County student computer, Brain Pop. Then Pineview history teacher Carol LaVallee pledges to teach CRT. Let me repeat that: Currently, Pinev-

going to re-enroll her children in Sarasota schools this coming school year because of what happened to her children in 2020.

After absorbing nearly two hours of public comments, and even though the speakers constitute only a thumbnail of the millions of families in Florida’s public schools, they give you a explicit microcosm of the tattered, ruptured state of Ameri-

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944

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Courtesy photo

Melissa Bacundi holds up a copy of “The Hate You Give,” a book she says was issued for summer reading for students, is age-inappropriate and has “anti-police rhetoric.”

iew teacher Carol LaVallee has pledged to violate.” (Brown interrupts: “Please do not name our teachers.”)

“Can I have my three minutes back?

“Accountability. Currently, Pineview teacher Carol LaVallee has pledged to violate Florida state CRT law.

“Then, another Pineview teacher issues summer reading of the book, “The Hate You Give,” a very inappropriate, not age-appropriate CRT book with anti-police rhetoric.

“And then there is item No. 36 on today’s agenda, which embodies CRT at its finest. The school board has accepted $285,000 to recruit diverse teachers. What happened to picking the most qualified to teach our children?

“Ms. Brown, Ms. Goodwin and Mr. Edwards state that school policy does not allow for CRT or LGBTQ indoctrination. But when there is no accountability for teachers who refuse to follow the policy, it does not matter what the policy states.

“We are currently working with the governor’s office to have statewide recording hotline for CRT and LGBT propaganda.

“Regarding parental rights, last month, a middle schooler was made to watch a live Zoom conference on someone’s journey transitioning from a man to a woman. What was said during this 40-minute live Zoom

can public education.

At the end of her remarks, Bazzini said: “I firmly believe a strong public school system is necessary for our democratic republic to survive.”

In its present state, however, public education is serving toward the republic’s demise.

Those 36 speakers clearly showed public education has lost its way. The state cannot and

call? How was it framed? Were same-sex relations discussed?

Who knows because there is no freaking transcript or recording of this Zoom call.

“This is my son. Seventh grade. It is pending litigation.

“All this was without parental consent, notification or an option for the student to opt out.

“Mr. Edwards, as a member of the LGBT community, I would hope that you would not condone the LGBT indoctrination.

These are topics for parents to discuss at home.

“Recently, the San Francisco gay men’s choir just released a chilling song that they are coming for your children.

“And now the gay agenda is here.

“I think parents should be concerned about their children’s safety because it appears that Brown, Edwards and Goodwin are not. Or maybe they have no idea what is really going on in this district.”

CHAIR BROWN RESPONDS In response to Melissa Bacundi’s reference to a Pineview School teacher teaching critical race theory, School Board Chair Shirley Brown said the following: “Regarding the teacher pledging to teach CRT, I checked with that issue myself, and the thing that she signed said she will teach the truth.

And when asked, she said, no, I will follow the law.

should not have control over the education of our children. That is the job of parents.

At long last, this might be the beginning of what is long overdue: a dismantling of state-controlled schools to private-sector, parent-controlled schools.

A MUST-WATCH: EdChannelVOD.SarasotaCountySchools.net/CablecastPublicSite/show/2476

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

Changing with the (red) tide Some days, dead fish accumulate, and there is a foul odor. Other days, conditions are pristine.

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

Mark Bergin

Dozens of dead fish were washing up on the shores across the street from Bayfront Park on a recent morning.

Like many nearby barrier islands, red tide conditions have fluctuated during the past few weeks in the town of Longboat Key. “I’ve been out every day … looking at a couple of canals and a couple of beach accesses, and it changes every day,” Town Manager Tom Harmer said. “We saw that before in 2018, but we’re seeing it again now.”

Some days have a mild to moderate dead fish accumulation and a pungent odor. Other days, Longboat Key has no appearance of red tide, and conditions are pristine. Often, the difference is wind direction. Persistent west winds drive the bloom and its effects toward the beach. East winds pin dead fish against the bay shores and into canals.

During the week of July 19, Manatee County sent crews with trash bags to clean up dead fish on part of Greer Island. Manatee is expected to rake its end of Longboat Key this week. Town staff is scheduled to rake the rest of the gulf-front beaches also this week.

“Greer Island is a county park, so they were doing some manual cleanup on their property at Greer Island,” Harmer said.

The town allocates $50,000 each year for red tide cleanup.

Any unused funds go back into the general fund and help offset the cost for the next fiscal year.

In 2018, the town spent $59,517 in mitigation costs while collecting more than 90 tons of dead fish from beaches and canals.

However, Longboat Key’s policy requires three to four tide cycles and a moderate level of dead fish accumulation before the town initiates a cleanup of a specific area.

Harmer said the town is the only local government in Sarasota and Manatee counties that does fish kill clean up in canals.

He said he knows it’s frustrating for residents and town staff.

“We can’t chase the fish,” Harmer said. “We’d never live up to that, and it would be so inefficient and wouldn’t make a difference.”

Harmer said Public Works crews have visited canals in the Country Club Shores neighborhood to respond to residents’ complaints. On July 16, the town cleaned up a canal in the neighborhood that had a moderate accumulation of dead fish.

Often, the conditions improve by the time crews arrive because of a wind shift or changing tides.

But often the smell remains.

“Part of it was the respiratory irritation, which doesn’t go away just because you take dead fish away,” Harmer said. “You can go stand on the beach right now, and you’d be all choked up.”

However, Harmer said he saw bigger dead fish and more of an accumulation in 2018 compared to this year.

According to Harmer, Manatee County has purchased three specialty boats that have mechanical equipment for the purpose of cleanup. Harmer said the town was working to get more information on the specifics of the boats.

It will take several weeks before the boats arrive.

“We’ll get more information about: What’s their capability? How much do they cost? Can we have access to them for at least a portion of our island?” Harmer said.

Sarasota County does not offer a similar boat service to combat the effects of red tide, according to Harmer.

“I think it is just another example of the challenges of being in two counties,” Harmer said.

Manatee County is also conducting drone surveillance of red tide conditions a few times a week, beginning around Bayfront Park to the north.

“We are also discussing other ways to partner depending on the extent and duration of this red tide event,” Harmer wrote in an email to commissioners.

Harmer said the Florida Department of Environmental Protection might make some funding reimbursable for the counties and municipalities for costs associated with the red tide response.

The town plans to follow up with Sarasota County about the possibility of reimbursement.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

Sea grass scars cut deep Sarasota Bay Estuary Program has installed signs around the area to raise awareness of damage being done.

NAT KAEMMERER STAFF WRITER

With new signs around Longboat Key and the Sarasota-Manatee area, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program is trying to give Sarasota Bay seagrasses an easier shot at life.

Three new signs at Longboat Key bay accesses catch the eye with the words “Scars Hurt” marred by a scar through the sign.

There are eight other matching signs in the area. The signs were designed by Florida Sea Grants and have been up since April as part of a campaign to help stop seagrasses from getting ripped up by passing boats. “(The signs) kind of have this rip through them to kind of demonstrate what that looks like in the seagrass bed,” Director of Planning and Communications Darcy Young said. “If you’re in a kayak just on the bay, you can see these scars. What happens is that rips the seagrasses up basically from their roots and makes it challenging for them to regrow in that spot.”

Seagrasses are an important habitat for young marine ani-

UNDER THE SEA

mals, and they also help filter the bay water by trapping particles in their leaves, so keeping boats away is a high priority. Seagrass beds can be damaged by propeller scarring. A boat with a motor drives through a bed of seagrass, mowing it down and leaving a scar through it.

“We’ve got over 40,000 registered boats in Sarasota and Manatee counties,” Public Outreach Assistant Christine Quigley said.

“That number’s only going to grow, which is great, but we just want to make sure that out-oftown boaters or new boaters are aware that our bay is pretty shallow. It’s only about 6.5 feet on average. … It’s more just making people aware that they’re there and that they’re really important for our economy and important for our natural organisms.”

Prop scarring has been an issue for many years, and Young said research on it started in the late 1980s. New College students did a study on the scars in the early 2000s, and a student picked that up again a couple summers ago to find scar hot spots. Now the estuary program is making public outreach part of its efforts with the signs. There’s one at the Ken Thompson Parkway boat ramp and another at Cannons Marina.

“We’ve got them installed at public boat ramps as well as … as many private boat rental spots as possible,” Young said. “We’re trying to do a broad net because it’s not just the people coming in

Nat Kaemmerer

One of Sarasota Bay Estuary Program’s signs is at the New Pass Grill and Bait Shop.

from out of state who don’t know the waters. That is a big part of the education, but it can happen to anybody because seagrass beds are ephemeral. They change from year to year. So even if you’re somebody who’s been boating on the bay for 30, 40, 50 years, there might be seagrass in an area that you didn’t expect.”

Running into seagrass can damage a boat’s motor, too, so avoiding it entirely by staying in marked channels and maintaining a safe speed is the best course of action. But Young said if someone gets stuck in a bed, the first thing to do is offload as much weight off the boat as possible before trimming up the motor and pushing the boat to a slightly deeper location.

Other than boat interference,

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Young said there’s also a survey on the map to help boaters report what they see. They’re hoping for more interaction on the survey, so make sure to scan the QR code on the map holder.

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seagrasses face danger mostly from poor water quality. When there are algal blooms, they block the light, and the grasses can’t get the light they need to grow.

Aside from red tide, nitrogen in the water can cause those harmful blooms.

“Grasses have a lot of stressors, and water quality is definitely a huge one, but we also don’t want people to forget that physical damage is also a stressor,” Quigley said.

Each sign has a holder of Sarasota Bay maps underneath, of which Young said a lot of people have taken advantage. The maps highlight areas where seagrasses are, as well as other points of interest. There’s also information on how to avoid seagrasses and what to do if you’re stuck.

Seagrasses are exactly what they sound like: grassy-looking plants that live entirely underwater, often in bays.

They provide food and shelter for marine organisms, such as manatees, turtles and crabs, and they are also carbon sinks, which means they store carbon dioxide and lower the concentration of it in surrounding waters.

“They help buffer us against climate change,” Quigley said. “They can stabilize the sea floor … with the vertical structure (of their roots). They help reduce erosion during storm events and they help reduce wave energy.”

Of course, they also indicate water quality. If the seagrasses are doing well, the bay probably is too, and vice versa. Since 2018’s red tide, Quigley said there has been a die-off of grasses.

“If we have an overload of nutrients, we get a lot of algal blooms, and that makes the water less clear, and less light is available for the seagrasses to grow,” Quigley said. “That’s what we’ve seen recently in Sarasota Bay.”

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Mark Bergin

North-end beach parking reduced Beach project prompts town to block off spaces on North Shore Road.

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

The town has cut some public parking on North Shore Road because of its beach renourishment projects.

Town Projects Manager Charlie Mopps said the contractor of the project, Weeks Marine, will use 10-12 parking spots a day through Aug. 9.

Longboat Key’s northern-most public beach parking typically offers a total of about 30 spaces, which are not paved or striped.

“They’ve been working on all parts of the island, on the midisland, the south-island work, and now the focus is on Greer Island and the groins and ultimately the placing of the sand,” Town Manager Tom Harmer said.

“So there’s certain equipment they need to bring down there.”

In mid-August, Weeks Marine’s

dredger C.R. McCaskill is set to fill sand from Greer Island to Broadway Street.

“This has been planned,” Harmer said. “It’s just part of the evolution of the project where the focus is now on the north end where the groin work and where that sand place will be occurring.”

The C.R. McCaskill is a 30-inch cutter suction dredge. It is similar to the E.W. Ellefsen used to fill beach segments mid-Key and near the south end of the island.

Parts of Greer Island will be closed to allow crews to clear vegetation.

Kelly Brothers Inc. resumed construction of the rock groins south of North Shore Road after Hurricane Elsa.

Harmer said the Public Works Department was still working to determine potential impacts from Hurricane Elsa earlier this month.

“They want to wait until (there are) a couple weeks afterwards where the sand kind of settles in, and they can determine where some of it may have moved to and what the true impacts might be,” Harmer said.

The town will limit public beach parking at 100 North Shore Road until Aug. 9 to allow its contractor to more easily move equipment.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

Far left: Jason and Shelly Crouse Left: Shelly Crouse makes a milk tea.

Above: The Thirsty Snail is located at 5610 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Photos by Nat Kaemmerer

New tea shop bubbles up Bradenton couple Shelly and Jason Crouse own the mid-island Thirsty Snail.

NAT KAEMMERER STAFF WRITER

A

new shop in Longboat Key is serving drinks bubbling with flavor — quite literally.

The Thirsty Snail is a bubble tea and coffee shop that opened June 8 at 5610 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Bradenton couple Shelly and Jason Crouse opened it as a fun spot for vacationers and regulars alike. The bursting bubbles of boba had intrigued them in the past, and after looking around, they saw that there wasn’t much of the phenomenon to be found in

the area.

“We just fell in love with the product when we were in Michigan,” Shelly Crouse said. “It was really, really fun. It’s an experience for most people. It’s sweeping across the nation, for sure, but it’s still pocketed in this area, and there was only one really within the vicinity, and we’re still different even from that.”

The Crouses are getting plenty of vacation business so far, with tourists in need of a midday pickme-up wandering in from the beach. Some visitors will come back multiple times during their vacations to try something new the next day and the next day, the owners said.

“For me, I think the cool part will be next year when some of these people come back and they’re like, ‘Hey, you remember me?’ and I can say: ‘I actually do.

How are you?’” Crouse said.

They’ve also picked up a crew of resident regulars who come in a couple times a week, so many that they decided to start a loyalty program — buy 10 drinks, get one free. Both Crouses sing the praises of the Longboat community they’ve encountered so far, noting that Chamber of Commerce members have stopped in to ask how they’re doing and that two residents spent half an hour walking Crouse through business Instagram tips.

“The Longboat community is, so far, in my opinion, much like a big warm hug,” Crouse said. “You have so many people coming in with concern, for you and for your business. It’s just those kinds of things and recommendations, about the menu or about new drinks or, or whatnot, and we just love that. To me, that’s more than just a welcome. It’s: ‘Hey, we’re embracing you,. We’re going to

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Bubble tea, or boba, is a Taiwanese drink that has been gaining in popularity, especially in larger cities. It’s tea-based, sometimes with milk tea and often with outof-the-box flavors, such as mango and rose, that features popping bubbles at the bottom. Typically, the bubbles are called boba and are brown tapioca pearls, though there are also fruit-flavored popping varieties.

“We stay right there and explain: … ‘This is what a popping pearl is. Would you like to try one?’” Crouse said. “For people who are unaware about popping bubbles, it is the reaction we wait

for. Their eyes get big, and they’re like, ‘What in the world is that?’”

Much like a modern-day coffee shop, a bubble tea shop will have plenty of options and ways to customize a drink. At the Thirsty Snail, set recipes are offered, or customers can specify their own.

The Crouses are ready and waiting to explain the various bursting additions. They want to make sure each customer gets a drink and texture they enjoy.

“We can tell who is very interested but very unsure,” Crouse said. “We explain as best we can, and then even let them sample some of the textures that they could choose from to go in their drink. And that way, there’s no surprise as far as, ‘Oh, my gosh, I did not care for that.’”

The Crouses also serve coffee and lemonade at the shop.

“You go to a coffee shop, it’s wonderful, but sometimes kids are still a little left out on the drink menus, so when we combined a coffee shop and bubble tea, it just kind of opened the doors to everybody,” Crouse said.

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JULY 23

FYI 4:47 p.m., 800 block of Jungle Queen Way Animal complaint: A caller to police asked to speak with an officer about suspicions she had that someone in the neighborhood was poisoning raccoons in the area. The caller provided no specifics but simply wanted police to know.

HELPING OUT 4:51 p.m., Lido Beach Assisting other agencies: The town’s marine patrol officer was called to help the Sarasota Police and Sarasota County Fire departments on a call in which seven or eight swimmers were reported to be in distress.

Upon the officer’s arrival, all the swimmers had been accounted for and were helped to safety.

JULY 24

TOO FAST, TOO WAVY 11:50 a.m., Jewfish Key Boating call: The town’s marine patrol officer stopped the operator of a personal watercraft after watching the vessel operate with an excessive wake in a slow-speed zone. The operator also was unable to produce a

boater-safety card. A verbal warning was issued, and the operator was instructed on how to proceed through such zones.

NO WAY TO WALK 6:23 p.m., near Longboat Pass Bridge Boating call: The town’s marine patrol officer assisted the operator of a personal watercraft who said he had run out of fuel and was drifting toward the bridge support columns.

The watercraft was towed to a spot near the Coquina Beach boat ramps to await further assistance.

JULY 25

NO WAY UP OR DOWN 9:44 a.m., 600 block of Dream Island Road Rescue assist: Police assisted fire-rescue personnel with a stuck-elevator call. Fire-rescue responders were able to help the occupants out of the elevator.

JULY 26

CAN’T GET THROUGH 8:02 a.m., 600 block of Bayview Drive Citizen assist: A representative of the town’s trash-collection

service alerted police to a construction trailer blocking the way for one of its trucks to serve one end of the street.

A police officer relayed the complaint to the construction company, which said the situation should have already been addressed but would assure the issue would be taken care of.

JULY 29

NO CRIME HERE 4:18 p.m., police headquarters Citizen dispute: A resident came to the police department to make a report about a neighbor who frequently threatens to call the authorities over door slamming. The resident said this was an ongoing problem.

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JULY 24

DOOR-TO-DOOR SUSPICION 2:43 p.m., 500 block of Schooner Lane Suspicious person: Police questioned two representatives of a credit-rebuilding agency after receiving a complaint about a pair of women holding clipboards going door to door in a residential neighborhood. Police instructed the women that such solicitation for business was illegal in town. After a routine check for wants and warrants, the women said they would leave the town.

JULY 27

NOT-SO ALARMING 2:38 p.m., 6900 block of Longboat Drive South Alarm: Police responding to a residential alarm found a contractor on the job. The worker said he had accidentally triggered the alarm. A check with the property owner confirmed the worker was authorized to be there.

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ASKING NICELY 7:37 p.m., 600 block of Emerald Harbor Drive Noise complaint: A resident called police after an exchange with a tile worker nearby over noise yielded no results. The resident asked the worker to stop making noise with a saw an hour after the town’s established hours, but the worker ignored the request as late as 90 minutes past the cutoff time.

JULY 30

COMPUTERS CAN FLY 4:05 p.m., police headquarters Found property: Police found the owner of a computer case that had been found by the side of the road. A witness said they saw the case fly off the roof of a passing car. Through papers found in the bag, a police employee tracked the owner, who said he feared it might have been left on the roof of his car and was lost. The owner came to the police department to recover it.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

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Above: Volunteers Heather and Ray Sellers, Alison Albee, Tim Thurman, operations manager Jocelyn Shearer, volunteer Dave Thomas and volunteer Cyndi Seamon.

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Cockatoos and macaws greeted guests with a chirpy hello as they walked past. Many were either on their way to or from Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, which is just across the parking lot, and many others were coming to the facility for the first time.

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or the first time in 16 months, the morning squawks of rescued birds mingled with the excited chatter of guests young and old at Save Our Seabirds’ reopening July 30.

The nonprofit bird rescue and sanctuary closed to the public in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, though volunteers continued to rescue birds needing medical care.

Last week, visitors streamed in to reacquaint themselves with the resident and rescued birds by following a picture checklist.

Volunteer Cyndi Seamon stood at the front to welcome people in and hand out information.

“People are just excited to have it open again,” Seamon

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

TRIBUTES Ruth O. Frank 1921-2021 Pioneer. Globetrotter. Designer. Athlete. Trendsetter. Epicure. Philanthropist. Songster. Provocateur.

Innovator. Matriarch.

These are but a few of the many roles performed by the indefatigable Ruth Miriam Ohringer Frank, who died peacefully of natural causes at her home in Longboat Key, FL on June 13, five months shy of her hundredth birthday.

Born in Pittsburgh to the late Abe and Helen (Stern) Ohringer, Ruth was married for 61 years to the love of her life, James A. Frank, who predeceased her in 2004. She often reminisced of their first encounter at Cornell University, where the rebellious young “co-ed” caught the attention of the dismayed fraternity president by yodeling offensive lyrics to the college anthem. Two years later, they were married.

In addition to their long love affair with one another, Ruth and Jimmy Frank fell in love with Sarasota in the late 1960s. Seeking a winter destination, they traversed the state and ultimately settled on the downto-earth nature of the West Coast to the see-and-be-seen vibe of the East Coast.

They purchased their first condominium at the Islander Club on Longboat Key in 1970, followed by happy habitations at the Promenade and the Water Club, with Florida being Ruth’s permanent residence for better part of the last decade. Altogether she was a resident of Sarasota for more than fifty years.

For as much as Jimmy took to the waters

for early morning fishing outings, Ruth immersed herself in the Sarasota community.

From shelling on the sandbars of Sarasota Bay to attending theater at the Van Wiesel to hitting the links and the courts at the Longboat Key Club to chairing the landscaping committee at their condominium association, Ruth was forever on the move. In the company of dozens of family members and friends, she celebrated her ninetieth birthday at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, where she was a longtime member and contributor. [When Jimmy passed away in 2004, Ruth notified Selby to update their contact information. A note in Selby’s system recalls, “Mrs. Frank called to say, ‘I lost my boyfriend.’”]

Ruth lived a long, full, and rich life. She was a true Renaissance woman, equally adept in her home studio as she was in the swimming pool, the kitchen, or the garden.

Fueled by competition, she won first prize in diving as a young girl and first prize in flower arranging as a young adult. At 33, she partnered with the noted architect, Harry Lefkowitz, to design her family’s

primary residence in Pittsburgh. Combining 1950s modernism with Japanese and Asian motifs, the one-of-a-kind home was featured in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette upon completion in 1954.

Ruth’s global wanderlust took root in the early 1950s with travels abroad and fortified with a visit to Afghanistan and Iran in the early 1970s. For more than twenty years, Ruth and Jimmy, her devoted husband, made an annual pilgrimage to near and far Asia--she with a discerning eye for beautiful art and architectural objects and he with keen business acumen. In addition to exhibiting regularly at Saks Fifth Avenue stores around the country, in the late 1970s, Ruth was celebrated by Vogue as the first American jewelry designer to mix “ethnic” objects from faraway countries into unique individual necklaces, a trend that continues today. Her global design influences ranged from intricately handcarved silver beads to elaborate Hindu temples.

Ruth was also an unapologetic “jock.”

A competitive golfer and tennis player, she prided herself on staying active and deriving fuel from a steady and “healthy” diet, later in life consuming vast quantities of dark chocolate, nuts, and her evening glass of red wine, always on the rocks.

Until 2020, Ruth swam for hours daily and worked out with a personal trainer three times a week, landing her as a featured “remarkable resident in her nineties” in a 2016 Longboat Observer cover story.

Like her husband, Ruth was philanthropic to the core. She spent countless hours each week studying the ratings of

non-profit organizations and writing checks to the many that met her strict criteria. She learned the value of hard work as a child from her parents, who owned and operated Ohringer Home Furniture, a successful enterprise in Braddock, PA, and she never took for granted the many privileges and blessings bestowed upon her.

With an infectious giggle and a dogged will, Ruth was most vigorous in the company of her vast and adoring circle of family and friends. Her entertaining skills were legendary, ranging from annual Super Bowl and New Year’s parties to elaborate family Thanksgiving celebrations, always replete with her signature cuisine and decor. She was, without question, the life of the party, belting out her favorite songs until the lights went out.

Ruth O. Frank is survived by two daughters, Susan Lippard (Thomas), of Pittsburgh, PA, and Linda Ruth, of Ithaca, NY (David Ruth, ex); two sons, James W. Frank (Catherine de Wet), of Umbria, Italy, and William O. Frank (Tess Williamson), of Seattle; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The family would also like to extend special appreciation to Maria “Bell” Belchior and the team of extraordinary Sarasota-based caregivers who so faithfully accompanied Ruth in her final chapter.

Arrangements were by Ralph Schugar Chapel.

DONATIONS: Memorial contributions may be made to the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh; Community MusicWorks in Providence, RI; or the donor’s choice.

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F

or a town as inextricably linked to performance and spectacle as Sarasota, it’s been some time since there has been a true circus show here.

But the old adage about showbiz has proven true. The show must go on, and the circus has returned to Sarasota in the shape of the Circus Arts Conservatory’s Summer Circus Spectacular. The show — a partnership between the CAC and the Ringling — has jugglers, clowns and other performers putting on dazzling feats of strength and flexibility through Aug. 14 at the Historic Asolo Theater.

It’s a relief for many but perhaps none more so than the performers themselves, who have committed their lives, time and bodies to the circus. But when the pandemic hit, all of their passion had to be put aside.

Among the performers:

THE VALLA-BERTINI FAMILY, UNICYCLISTS

Kim Sue Valla had a system for her family. She; her husband, Vlastek; and their children, Violet and Vincent, constitute the Valla-Bertini Family, a highunicycle act. When not in their native Sarasota, the quartet has traveled across the country performing all sorts of intricate and impressive acts for audiences.

The pandemic replaced that system with something more stationary. With no gigs to be found, Vlastek took work with the Asolo Repertory Theatre while Kim Sue took care of things at their Sarasota home.

Violet, 11, went from being home-schooled to attending a local school while Vincent, 19, found a job at a box office.

“We’ve all been separate,” Kim Sue Valla said. “We’re used to living in an RV and working together, eating together, driving together. For me and my husband, we start to think we’re missing our kids’ lives. My son is off at work in downtown Sarasota, and normally, I would home-school my daughter (when on the road).”

ELAYNE KRAMER, CONTORTIONIST

The 29-year-old hand-balancer comes from an Argentinian circus family and has been twisting herself since she was 8.

That skill has led to a career that started in Sarasota but has taken her across Europe and Asia.

The pandemic brought a different line of work for Kramer.

She found jobs housecleaning and caregiving while picking up the occasional performance gig and whatever else came her way. But for the first time since she started her career, she found herself without work planned out ahead for months.

Kramer said she isn’t naturally flexible and puts in an hour and a half of stretching every morning before a show. It’s easier on the body to practice

The Valla-Bertini family has been ready to take the stage again on their high unicycles.

IF YOU GO SUMMER CIRCUS SPECTACULAR When: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturdays through Aug. 14 Where: Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road Tickets: $12 for children 12 and under, $18 for adults Website: Ringling.org/ events/summer-circusspectacular

The 2020 Summer Circus Spectacular was the first event canceled for the Valla family, and the 2021 event is the first event they have back again. The family has been practicing for two months on a concrete stage on their front lawn and have been settling back into a groove.

NOEL AGUILAR, SPEED TEMPO JUGGLER

Noel Aguilar, a speed tempo juggler from a circus family, is used to keeping his balance. Whether he’s performing in Europe or in his local Florida, he knows the most important thing is to stay locked into his performance and keep his pins moving.

Even so, it was hard for Aguilar to stay focused when his life was thrown up in the air.

“It was March (2020) when everything shut down for me,” Aguilar said. “Since then, I have not performed.”

Aguilar, 25, had a backup plan in case an injury ended his juggling career — his mother always pressed him to have other options — but his degree in lighting was a cold comfort when the pandemic shut that

Harry Sayer

field down as well.

His knack for staying balanced came in handy in other ways, and Aguilar spent much of the pandemic carrying plates at Mattison’s in Sarasota.

“I enjoyed it but felt like I was missing something,” Aguilar said. “Every day I would go and be like, ‘Man, if these people only knew what I could do, what I’ve truly dedicated my whole life to.”

For his performance, Aguilar juggles pins followed by pingpong balls and eventually three Mexican hats that he tosses into the audience. It’s a fast-paced and lively segment, but those

5 Ways to Worship at All Angels

St. Armands Key

All Angels Episcopal Church | 563 Bay Isles Rd

LUTHERAN CHURCH

JOIN US FOR IN-PERSON WORSHIP SUNDAYS AT 10AM

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

or worship with us online at saklc.com/live or on Facebook Coffee and Treats - Sunday between 9-10am

• Walk-up Church, enjoy the garden setting and listen to the service

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• 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

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Family Movie Night featuring “MOANA” - FRIDAY 8/5 AT 6PM SAKLC Bridge Club starts 8/19 - THURSDAYS AT 1PM Garden Worship - SATURDAY 8/28 at 5PM

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. Fred Finks

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

•

www.christchurchlbk.org

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

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

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.

hats in particular are special to the juggler — his father passed them down to him.

“I’ve had them for 10 years,” Aguilar said. “He told me I’d have them for the rest of my career, and I said ‘Yeah, right.’

Sure enough, 10 years later and they’re still going strong.”

He said he felt a mix of excitement and nerves to be back in his industry after so much time away, but the one thing he was certain of was that he wouldn’t waste the opportunity.

“Now that I’m getting my chance to get back on stage, I’m taking it and running with it,” Aguilar said.

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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consistently, but with no shows on the horizon, Kramer started stretching less often.

“Contortion is often very painful,” Kramer said. “When the pandemic started, I thought: ‘Oh this is cool. I don’t have to be in pain as much.’ But then it was harder to go back to it, and there’s a struggle to that.

But nothing beats what I do. …

I really live for this, so I had to get myself back together.”

She resumed everyday training in February.

“It was hard, but I’m really happy to see people excited to come to the circus,” Kramer said. “It’s just exciting to know that people missed us.”

HARRY SAYER

17

THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

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AUGUST 5, 2021

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YOUR NEIGHBORS

TEMPLE TOGETHERNESS RETURNS The temple is hosting Friday and Saturday services inperson again in the hopes of returning to a new normal.

NAT KAEMMERER STAFF WRITER

W

Len and Bonney Libman with Judy and Neil Blume

dren, and Rabbi Michael Eisenstat’s birthday was recognized before service began. Those in attendance still kept one another at arm’s length for the most part, but a few snuck a handshake.

Once members found their seats, they did so in every other row and with masks on their faces.

“I have been waiting to be back again,” Suzanne Schuster said.

“In these tumultuous times, being here is warming. It’s so nice to see familiar faces. If we can live our lives with a mask on, that’s OK. We can live our lives.”

There are things to get used to again, like the way the doors stick a little, and things to fine-tune, such as which no-touch greeting is best to greet friends again.

Sniderman wasn’t recording services at the temple, so the sanctuary was usually empty.

“We basically haven’t used this place in 16 months,” Sniderman said.

When Sniderman started service July 30, there were about 40

people in the in-person audience who welcomed the return to the sanctuary with applause.

“This service is an experiment,” Sniderman said. “We’ll have our grand opening later on and our soft opening next week. This is the pre-soft opening.”

The plan for now is to continue with a combination of in-person and streaming for the more popular Friday service and in-person only on the more sparsely attended Saturday service. Executive Director Isaac Azerad said the Friday attendance was typical for summer.

“I’m gratified by the number of people who came,” he said. “From all indications it looks like we’re probably going into a very good season coming up. Aside from that, we’re slowly working the quirks with the technology.”

Throughout the pandemic, Sniderman had pre-recorded his services, so the switch to livestreaming is a shift. However, he has Temple Beth Israel Educa-

Photos by Nat Kaemmerer

tion Center technical whiz Carl Kurtyka to help him out. The season will be the education center’s first as part of TBI. “We’re blending everyone in here,” Sniderman said.

The education center will be a key part of the temple’s reopening because it will serve as the bulk of programming for the socially minded congregation. TBI members will get free education center membership, but Azerad said they already have 395 others signed up to take classes.

“We’re hoping we won’t have to make different arrangements,” Sniderman said. “October and November will be the time when we’re going to start going in earnest. In the meantime, we’ll keep doing what we’re doing.

“As far as programs are concerned, boy, we are going to have so many programs.”

Top: Small groups met in the doorway of the sanctuary to say hello and find seats.

Above: Rabbi Stephen Sniderman

We’re having a

Simply Better

Summer... are you?

360146-1

ith a greeting of “Good Shabbos” and an elbow tap, fist bump or sometimes a short bow, members of Temple Beth Israel once more filed into the sanctuary for Friday evening services.

In-person Shabbat services returned July 30 after the temple spent 16 months closed to everyone but the office staff and congregation leaders.

“I’ve been president for 14 months and have never been able to address the congregation,” Stuart Sinai said.

Sinai’s name has been on the Temple’s sign and the parking space reserved for the temple president, but his congregants have only seen him on Zoom.

“Being there, physically present with one another, brought a real sense of connection and closeness and strength,” Sinai said. “Being together brings out the kind of energy that can’t be replaced by a Zoom service.

Everybody I’m sure had a smile under their mask. When I got up to look around before I spoke, it appeared to be a convention of bank robbers, but it was terrific to be together again.”

Members have stayed in touch with in-person events, such as a singles luncheon, but for the most part, connections have been virtual. The temple also offered a Friday, pre-Shabbat Zoom cocktail hour.

Rabbi Stephen Sniderman tested the readiness of the congregation to come back in-person via the cocktail hour. He found that most were anxious to return.

Barbara Pressman brought her daughter-in-law and grandchil-

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

BE NCH M A R K R E SU LTS • S T R AT EGIC M A R K ET I NG • PE R SONA L I Z ED SE RV ICE

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

Saturday in the soil

A

group of Longboat Key Garden Club volunteers made quick work of 120 plants at the north end fire station July 31.

Over just 45 minutes, volunteers fought rocks and tree roots to get 120 ixoras and Mexican petunias into the ground to landscape the front of the north end’s fire station. Some took charge of the sharper shovels to break apart the dirt while others loosened the plants’ roots to help them better settle into the ground.

Club President Susan Phillips said the group wanted to get the planting done so the rest of the space could be mulched next week.

Photos by Nat Kaemmerer

Top: In all, 18 volunteers showed up to get the plants in the ground.

Above: Susan Phillips gathers empty plant buckets.

Below: Club volunteers spread out to tackle the mass of plants.

Above: Cyndi Seamon breaks up the ground.

Left: Beth Roth prepares to drop a Mexican petunia into its new home.

—NAT KAEMMERER

WHETHER YOU’RE LISTING OR LOOKING...

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

YOU CAN BE ASSURED YOUR PROPERTY WILL ACHIEVE ITS MAXIMUM MARKET POTENTIAL.

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COUNTRY CLUB SHORES 591 Golf Links ACTIVE LISTING! $4,895,000

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BIRD KEY 394 Bob White Drive SOLD! $1,925,000

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

FEATURED PROPERTIES

NEW PRICE!

LONGBOAT KEY | AQUARIUS CLUB | $1,249,000

Penthouse | Sunset Views | 2BR/2BA | 1,551 SF | 1701 Gulf of Mexico Dr., #608 MLS# A4504835

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PLAZA AT FIVE POINTS - DOWNTOWN 50 CENTRAIL AVE., $14H $1,695,000 REPRESENTING SELLER

SAGE - LONGBOAT KEY NEW CONSTRUCTION - UNIT 304 $5,800,000 REPRESENTING BUYER

SOLEMAR - POMPANO BEACH 1116 N OCEAN BLVD. #PH1 $5,750,000 REPRESENTING BUYER

BEACH RESIDENCES 1300 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN DR., #307 $1,497,500 REPRESENTING BUYER

SOLD

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SOLD

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GRAND BAY 3060 GRAND BAY BLVD #182 $1,425,000 REPRESENTED BUYER

SIESTA KEY 107 OCEAN PLACE $3,600,000 REPRESENTED SELLER

PROMENADE - LONGBOAT KEY 1211 GULF OF MEXICO DR., #102 $1,175,000 REPRESENTED SELLER & BUYER

MARINA BAY - LONGBOAT KEY 2410 HARBOURSIDE DR., #132 $1,695,000 REPRESENTED SELLER

443 JOHN RINGLING BLVD., STE., F | SARASOTA, FL 34236 • 595 BAY ISLES RD., SUITE 250 | LONGBOAT KEY, FL 34228 This is not a solicitation of another broker’s listing.. Market data supplied by Market Quest June 2021.

360525-1

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

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

BIRD OF THE WEEK

• Consistent top producer on Longboat Key • In-depth knowledge of the real estate market • Active in our community with Longbeach Village Association Longboat Key Historical Society Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce Longboat Key Garden Club

A closer look at the feathered friends with which we share Longboat.

Sandwich tern

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941.724.7228

W

ith their ragged black caps, mustard-yellow tipped bills and sleek bodies, sandwich terns stand out among other members of laridae, the family of gulls and terns.

Named for the town in England where they were first described, the lunch-staple reference is nonetheless a useful identification mnemonic.

Rarely seen inland, they mostly eat fish and shrimp, which they catch by flying over water, bill pointing down, then plungediving to snag their prey. Indeed, foraging sandwich terns are a great indicator that bait fish are in the area.

Once common nesters on our shores, sandwich terns disappeared from Florida in the late 19th century, partly as result of the millinery trade but also likely due to egg collecting. At the time, oology, the study of bird eggs, was popular. Naturalists and hobbyists around the world collected the eggs of wild birds for display in private collections and museums.

Although this was detrimental to all birds, shorebirds including sandwich terns, which nest in large colonies on the ground, were especially vulnerable.

Today, nests and eggs of wild birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Many vintage egg collections are displayed in museums or research institutions, where they

CathyMeldahl@michaelsaunders.com

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help us better understand birds and the effects of environmental change and pollution. Such studies demonstrated that after DDT came into wide use in the 1940s, egg shells became thinner, with dire effects for viability.

This is because metabolizing DDT resulted in less calcium being deposited in egg shells. Thanks to such studies, DDT was banned in the U.S. in 1972, and birds began to recover.

Sandwich terns get their name from the seaside English town in which they were first observed.

— 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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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

23

REID MURPHY & The Boys PRESENT

LUXURY ON THE WATER BUYING or SELLING

Call Reid for a successful real estate experience!

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

LONGBOAT KEY PRE-CONSTRUCTION $3,995,000 SARASOTA PENTHOUSE $5,875,000 Unique opportunity to purchase a waterfront dream home on an extremely private estate-sized Downtown Ritz Carlton 3BR Ensuite Residence. Magnificent 4,276 sf open floor plan. Spectacular lot. 5BR, 5.5BA home,4,400 SF. Pool w/spa. Deep water dock. views. World class amenities.

NEWLISTING

LONGBOAT KEY EMERALD HARBOR 3BR/4BA on 100 foot canal front w/dock & newer seawall to accommodate water toys & large vessel with easy access to intracoastal & Bay. Deeded beach access across the street.

$1,695,000

PENDING

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

LONGBOAT KEY GRAND MARINER $2,295,000 Bayfront 3BD/4BA, second floor 2,928 SF. Deep water dock with power, water, pump station & 20,000 lb. lift. Privately coded elevator & 2 car garage.

SOLD

LONGBOAT KEY SANCTUARY $2,895,000 Direct beachfront 3BR behind the gates at LBK Club. Southern exposure. Largest Gulffront floorplan with wrap around terrace.

Developers Realty Inc. Lic. Real Estate Broker

ST. ARMANDS VAN BUREN $3,800,000 Stunning 3 Level Coastal Home features 5BD/4.5BA - including a Huge Master Bedroom with En Suite Bathroom - w/3 Living Spaces. Multiple Balconies & Patios, private heated pool & spa.

Landscaped & fenced for privacy.

www.ReidMurphy.com

LONGBOAT PRESERVE $1,695,000 3BD/3.5BA home in the exclusive new enclave of 12 new construction, light filled & luxurious coastal contemporary homes in the Preserve of Longboat Key.

595 Bay Isles Road Longboat Key, FL 34228

360106-1

SOLD

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

24

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

COMMUNITY

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.

BEST BET

THURSDAY, AUG. 5

TUESDAYS

MOANA MOVIE NIGHT AND LUAU Beginning at 6 p.m. in the St. Armands Key Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 40 N. Adams Drive, join the church for a movie night and luau for young families. Email Michael@ SAKLC.com for information.

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

Beginning or intermediate players. RSVP to check availability and/ or be put on a waitlist: MaryAnnBrady@ TheParadiseCenter.org or 383-6493.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 11

BREATHE: AN OUTDOOR YOGA SERIES At 6 p.m. in the St. Armands Circle Park, practice yoga outdoors. A local yoga instructor will guide each class. Visit StArmandsCircleAssoc.com for information.

FRIDAYS

THURSDAY, AUG. 19

MIND AND BODY BALANCE From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road.

Cheryl Kaiser’s redesigned class will replace yoga for August and is geared for those 55 years of age and up. There is a mix of standing and seated gentle poses. Cost is $10 for nonmembers, free for members. Walk-ins welcome. For information, call 383-6493.

File photo

SAKLC BRIDGE CLUB Bridge club starts at 1 p.m. at St. Armands Church, 40 N. Adams Drive. Play bridge with a certified teacher and director present. Suggested donation is $8 per game. Contact Peter Cleaves at 952-9251 to reserve a spot.

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

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

Topics will include U.S. and world current affairs, popular culture and topics relevant to seniors. Cost is $10. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY

LORD’S WAREHOUSE From 9 a.m. until noon, shop at the Lord’s Warehouse thrift store. All proceeds from the store go to charity, and donations are welcome. Indoor and outdoor shopping will be available, but there is a limit of five customers at a time inside the warehouse. Masks are required.

Visit LongboatIslandChapel.org for information.

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.

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

WEDNESDAYS

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

Class is outdoors, weather per-

mitting. Cost is $10. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

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

TAI CHI From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Class is outdoors, weather permitting, and taught

by Reuben Fernandez. Cost is $10 for nonmembers, free for members. Walk-ins welcome.

For information, call 383-6493.

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

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

25

SELLING LOCAL LUXURY WITH G L O B A L C O N N E C T I O N S Judy Kepecz-Hays

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

Lori Lawson

$2.3 BILLION IN CAREER SALES

941.587.1700

Steven Kepecz

Nicole Ristaino

941.376.6411

$116 Million Closed Sales January 1 – August 5, 2021

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

d D te er n Le l

s l re Se O p S re r & e e W uy B

RITZ-CARLTON THE RESIDENCES #1006 1 bed/1.5 bath | $950,000

Islander Club | 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

RITZ-CARLTON Managed 5-Star Resort Style Living

Two pets welcome. No weight limits.

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 available upon closing of this residence. www.TheBeachResidences308.com MLS A4497402 362300-1

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

26

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 607, 609, 611 Fern Streets & 610 Rose Street 12 Beds 6 Baths 1,568 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4497933 $5,900,000

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

SARASOTA 2052 Benjamin Franklin Drive D202 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,697 Sq. Ft. Kim Ogilvie 941-376-1717 A4503738 $4,700,000

LONGBOAT KEY 415 L Ambiance Drive 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 2634 Sq. Ft. Kim Ogilvie 941-376-1717 A4503404 $4,400,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 112 Mangrove Avenue 4 Beds 2/1 Baths 3,577 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4502423 $4,350,000

LONGBOAT KEY 647 Marbury Lane 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 2,651 Sq. Ft. Sandi Layfield 941-914-2807 A4503569 $1,799,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 2719 Gulf Drive 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,119 Sq. Ft. Melinda Alvarez 941-704-0633 A4506596 $1,749,000

SARASOTA 1233 N Gulfstream Avenue 602 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,780 Sq. Ft. Barbara May 941-312-1302 A4506289 $1,500,000

LONGBOAT KEY 1445 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 201 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,274 Sq. Ft. Kathy Callahan 941-900-8088 A4504369 $1,200,000

SARASOTA 1899 Buccaneer Circle 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,942 Sq. Ft. Jami Kellogg 941-809-6931 A4505815 $1,200,000

LONGBOAT KEY 370 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 412 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,380 Sq. Ft. Debra Pitell-Hauge & Lisa Sebastian 941-356-0437 A4505583 $1,150,000

LONGBOAT KEY 1701 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 303 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,551 Sq. Ft. Michael Moulton 941-928-3559 A4503585 $899,000

SARASOTA 1518 Bel Air Star Parkway 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 3,475 Sq. Ft. Cheryl Roberts 941-266-1450 A4506654 $875,000

SARASOTA 2582 Bay Street 4 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,800 Sq. Ft. Nancie Kalin 941-928-8833 A4507964 $850,000

BRADENTON 13404 Ramblewood Trail 6 Beds 4/1 Baths 4,009 Sq. Ft. Toma Milbank & Rebecca Milbank PLLC 941-720-5174 A4506789 $785,000

BRADENTON 2414 Starwood Court 3 Beds 3 Baths 3,332 Sq. Ft. Tina Ciaccio 941-685-8420 A4507698 $749,000

LONGBOAT KEY 4234 Gulf Of Mexico Drive A1 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,636 Sq. Ft. Lenore Treiman 941-356-9642 A4504718 $725,000

SARASOTA 750 N Tamiami Trail 1206 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,400 Sq. Ft. Marybeth Flynn 941-704-1477 A4505356 $700,000

LONGBOAT KEY 4621 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 11D 2 Beds 2 Baths 756 Sq. Ft. Richard Perlman 941-228-8580 A4506198 $525,000

BRADENTON 1320 Perico Point Circle 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,547 Sq. Ft. Maruta Miluns 941-374-9702 A4502932 $489,000

SARASOTA 4535 Olive Avenue 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,530 Sq. Ft. Jennifer Thompson 941-928-0790 A4501193 $475,000

BRADENTON 7304 24th Avenue W 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,527 Sq. Ft. Maria Christenson & Karla Davidson 941-920-3583 A4499897 $450,000

SARASOTA 7792 Fairway Woods Drive 1206 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,956 Sq. Ft. Michael Moulton 941-928-3559 A4506661 $425,000

SARASOTA 3716 72nd Avenue Circle E 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,008 Sq. Ft. Phyllis DiBlasi 941-320-4158 A4507980 $410,000

BRADENTON 2309 35th Street W 5 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,292 Sq. Ft. Barbara Najmy 941-705-1158 A4507308 $400,000

SARASOTA 2211 Bay Street 2 Beds 1/1 Baths 925 Sq. Ft. Cole Collins 941-350-8360 A4503526 $399,000

BRADENTON 815 60th Street NW 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,425 Sq. Ft. Kathy Valente & Gregory Zies, LLC 941-685-6767 A4507320 $375,000

PERICO ISLAND 303 108th Street W 114 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,083 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4500468 $300,000

BRADENTON 4421 19th Street Circle W A & B 1,259 Sq. Ft. Louise Hollander 941-224-4483 A4507731 $250,000

SARASOTA The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Residences, Penthouse 1701 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 4,951 Sq. Ft. Beth Afflebach & Joan Dickinson 941-737-1756 A4499645 $5,795,000

LONGBOAT KEY 25 Lighthouse Point Drive 4 Beds 6/1 Baths 6,025 Sq. Ft. Sherri Mills 941-350-7112 A4503359 $5,600,000

LONGBOAT KEY 530 Harbor Gate Way 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 5,011 Sq. Ft. Bernadette Caswell 941-320-8265 A4507605 $5,500,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM 357385-1

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

JULY 19-23

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home on Lido tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. RLN Aspen Holdings LLC sold the home at 1435 Westway Drive to Sean Stumler, trustee, of Sarasota, for $7.7 million. Built in 2013, it has five bedrooms, six-anda-half baths, a pool and 5,566 square feet of living area.

27

REAL ESTATE

Lido Key home sells for $7.7 million

|

L’AMBIANCE AT LONGBOAT KEY CLUB

McGue Family LLC sold the Unit K-506 condominium at 435 L’Ambiance Drive to Roberta Schiff, of Longboat Key, for $2.8 million. Built in 1994, it has two bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,634 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.3 million in 2019.

BEACHPLACE

Michael Hansen and Victoria McInnis, trustees, of Jupiter, sold the Unit 305 condominium at 1055 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Susan Pickens, trustee, of Win-

Photos courtesy of Barbara Sassen May, Michaels Saunders & Co.

Built in 2013, the home at 1435 Westway Drive has five bedrooms, six-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,566 square feet of living area.

dermere, for $1.47 million. Built in 1981, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,503 square feet of living area. It sold for $570,000 in 2012.

for $1.05 million. Built in 1999, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,233 square feet of living area. It sold for $700,000 in 2007.

LONGBEACH REVISED

Michael Karp sold the Unit 413 condominium at 370 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Robert and Susan Ferrara, of Mystic, Con-

Mark and Susan Tone, of Longboat Key, sold their home at 6841 Pine St. to 2538970 Ontario Inc.

TOP BUILDING PERMITS These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of July 23-29 in order of dollar amounts.

TANGERINE BAY CLUB

necticut, for $1.03 million. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,490 square feet of living area. It sold for $835,000 in 2005.

TIFFANY PLAZA

Jeffrey Coffaro, of Cincinnati, SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 28

In with the new SALES GALLERY OPEN

L O N G B OAT K E Y ADDRESS PERMIT APPLICANT 435 L’Ambiance Drive #G901 Interior alterations Ian Wilbraham

AMOUNT $683,980

660 Cedar St.

Fritz E. Attaway

$414,399 $390,535

New single family

residence 2425 GMD

Canopy remodel,

Sea Gate Club

automatic sliding

Condominium

Longboat Key

door 3040 Grand Bay Blvd #2102 Windows and doors William E. Ruppert

$329,325

Revocable Trust

7149 Longboat Drive N.

Interior alterations John Richard Exley III $273,688

455 Longboat Club Road

Interior alterations Pierre Association Inc. $150,000

1065 GMD #502

Interior alterations Kim Galing

560 Schooner Lane

Interior alterations Deborah A. Lynch 2001 $100,000

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

$139,000 MOVE-IN READY

Trust 596 Halyard Lane

Seawall

Melvin Rhinelander

$73,390

1975 GMD

Concrete repair

Seaplace Association Inc. $71,951

1965 GMD

Concrete repair

Seaplace Association Inc. $71,951

5910 GMD

Pool and spa

Clare Marie Fox

$68,186

7135 La Lenaire Drive

Mechanical

Halcyon Shores LLC

$47,650

548 Cutter Lane

Seawall

548 Cutter Lane LLC

$46,000

3566 Fair Oaks Lane

Re-roof

Patricia E. Kogan

$39,640

Revocable Trust

1241 GMD #701

A/C change-out

Scott Vincent Dols

4960 GMD Unit PH

Windows

DKCM Properties LLC

$28,360

3235 GMD

Concrete repair

Portobello Owners

$28,125

Downtown Sarasota

$37,419

Association 511 Birdie Lane

Windows and doors Robert W. Tucker

$28,000

595 Bay Isles Road

Storefront

Med Plaza Ltd.

$24,515

1690 Harbor Sound Drive

Plumbing

Donald J. Stuart

$23,240

712 Bayport Way

Windows and doors Wally Betka

$22,485

549 Sloop Lane

A/C change-out

Mark Antos

$20,400

4454 GMD

Piles for repair

Longboat Harbour Towers $18,850

7074 Longboat Drive E.

Dock

Anton J. Gerich

1095 GMD #604

Electrical

Kimberly Fortune Esser $18,000

$18,292

Source: Town of Longboat Key

Risdon on 5th | 941.365.1414 | From the low $600,000s | RisdonOn5th.com

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

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

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

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Licensed Real Estate Broker

28

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

Real estate FROM PAGE 27

sold his Unit 207 condominium at 4325 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Acme Control LLC for $850,000.

Built in 1975, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,336 square feet of living area. It sold for $400,000 in 2006.

FAIRWAY BAY

Robert Boltuch, trustee, and Susan Bennett Boltuch, of Longboat Key, sold the Unit 251 condominium at 1932 Harbourside Drive to Renee Stern, trustee, of Glencoe, Illinois, for $818,000. Built in 1982, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,442 square feet of living area. It sold for $499,000 in 2016.

Balbro Inc. sold the Unit 422 condominium at 2020 Harbourside Drive to Richard Buchanan and Julie Andrews, of Great Falls, Virginia, for $556,000. Built in 1984, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,192 square feet of living area. It sold for $320,000 in 2019.

THE PRIVATEER SOUTH

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

Paul Sklar and Carolyn Sklar, trustees, sold the Unit 604 condominium at 1000 Longboat Club Road to Douglas Wray, of Longboat Key, for $738,000.

Built in 1972, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,409 square feet of living area. It sold for $439,000 in 2010.

at 4500 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Joel and Antonia Schemmel, of Longboat Key, for $585,000.

Built in 1975, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,096 square feet of living area. It sold for $505,000 in 2005.

CEDARS EAST

PET PICS Have photos of your four-legged family members? We want to see them!

Share them at YourObserver.com/contests/pet-pics to be published online and for a chance to see them in print!

Robert Radin, trustee, of Longboat Key, sold the Unit 3 condominium at 508 Forest Way to Svetlana and Igor Afichuk, of Federal Way, Washington, for $463,000. Built in 1990, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,440 square feet of living area.

It sold for $160,700 in 2010.

SPANISH MAIN YACHT CLUB

Richard Anthony Mika and Debra Suzanne Mika, of Plainfield, Illinois, sold their Unit 87 condominium at 828 Spanish Drive S. to Angelo Joseph Taranto Jr. and Janice Ann Taranto, of Charlotte, North Carolina, for $455,000. Built in 1968, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,069 square feet of living area.

It sold for $255,000 in 2013.

LIDO HARBOUR SOUTH

David and Elise Burt, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, sold their Unit 305 condominium at 2100 Benjamin Franklin Drive to First Defensive Solutions Inc. for $425,000. Built in 1968, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,172 square feet of living area. It sold for $70,000 in 1986.

ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE: Robert Hoag captured this photo of his dog, Titan, enjoying the poolside on Longboat Key.

WINDWARD BAY

Robert and Susan Ferrara sold their Unit 202 condominium

The Observer’s

Weather

&Nature

DA N C E W I T H U S !

2021-22 PHOTO CONTEST

For Children Ages 3 and Above

SUBMIT YOUR PHOTO TODAY!

REGISTER TODAY

FOR THE 2021/2022 YEAR

Erin Henshaw Hunsader Farms | Bradenton

YOUR PHOTO submission could win

Media Sponsor

Submit your photos of spectacular local weather and nature displays.

Go to Yourobserver.com/contests for details.

941.225.6525 | www.SarasotaBallet.org

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FORECAST

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

High: 88 Low: 79 Chance of rain: 24%

SATURDAY, AUG. 7 High: 87 Low: 79 Chance of rain: 34%

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Aug. 5

6:56a 8:16p

Friday, Aug. 6

6:57a

8:15p

Saturday, Aug. 7

6:57a

8:14p

Sunday, Aug. 8

6:58a

8:13p

Monday, Aug. 9

6:58a

8:12p

Tuesday, Aug. 10

6:59a

8:12p

Wednesday, Aug. 11

6:59a

8:11p

MOON PHASES

SUNDAY, AUG. 8 High: 88 Low: 79 Chance of rain: 33%

Aug. 30 Last

TIDES

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

29

THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

SUNRISE / SUNSET

FRIDAY, AUG. 6

Jane Novacek captured a clear day along the beach on Longboat Key.

|

Sept. 6 New

Sept. 13 First

Highs

Sept. 20 Full

Lows

Thursday, Aug. 5

1:29a 9:53a

3:39a 6:45p

Friday, Aug. 6

1:56a 10:41a

4:34a 7:23p

Saturday, Aug. 7

2:14a 11:26a

5:22a

7:58p

Sunday, Aug. 8

2:26a

12:09p

6:09a

8:30p

Monday, Aug. 9

2:37a

12:52p

6:57a

9:01p

Tuesday, Aug. 10

2:51a

1:37p

7:47a

9:31p

2:25p 8:41a Wednesday, Aug. 11 3:08a

10:02p

MANASOTA FLOORING INC CROSSWORD

©2021 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

1 Boring method of learning 5 Much-shared image, e.g.

9 Like a cottage’s feel 13 Speedy Chevy 18 Word before or after “wide” 19 Persian Gulf state 20 Plant in some Korean soft drinks 21 Uninterested in ethics 23 Ever so slightly 24Movies with an exclusive audience 26 Adjective for Eeyore 27 Brunch on a cart 29 Challenging

941.748.4679 | Venice

941.493.7441 | www.manasotaonline.com

44 Ye ___ Shoppe 45 Robins’ homes 46 Singers making up 1/4 of 49-Across 48 Had dinner at nine, say 51 19-Across’ ruler, once 53 Name of two Spice Girls 54 Oklahoma city 59 ‘90s DJ’s items 60 Parent in a certain blended family 63 What holds locks in place?

65 Chinese zodiac rodent 67 Pieces of furniture used for leg exercises?

68 “___ favor” 69 “Feel What U Feel” singer Lisa 70 Furry honoree, perhaps?

71 Shows audacity 72 Straight from the garden 73 Risotto ___ Milanese DOWN 74 Some emit light 1 It may have a bike lane 75 Medieval entertainer 2 Related to sight known for one-liners?

3 Latin lover’s mood?

76 Team leader 4 Goes on until 77 Half a kisser 5 Show about a Florida pig 78 Go out with farm?

79 Inch or volt 6 Write “special affects,” e.g. 80 Monopoly: Macbeth Edi7 The “M” of STEM tion and others?

8 Coop up 82 Linguist Chomsky 9 Vessel in Licorice Lagoon? 83 Flame sticker on a car, 10 Spanish for “Bravo!” maybe 11 Astonished text 84 Go-to swear word?

12 Has a longing 88 Uno + uno 13 Dracula’s watercraft?

90 Some children 78 City with a Molly Malone 14 Offshoot of punk 92 Related to sound statue 15 Legendary Yankees 97 Bumps in the night 81 Rode out manager Joe 98 Beard removers 84 ___ d’ 16 “Haven’t you discussed 100 Cloth 85 Like cassettes the Iliad enough?”

102 Tennis champion Naomi 86 Above, in poetry 17 Lack of trouble 105 Falling tool in old cartoons 87 Problematic people 22 “___ Miz” 106 “Cupid” singer Cooke 89 Twitter rants, say 25 Makes smooth 107 Much kitchen work, for 91 “In the Heights” seg28 Perfect spots short ments 31 Notes in a poker pot 109 Surface in billiards 93 “You know you want to!”

35 Modify 111 Bad on purpose 94 Coating for some 37 Discourages 113 Trial run cheeses 39 K-12 grp.

115 It’s between the goal posts 95 Takeoff stat 41 Ariana Ghez’s wind instru- 117 Indian music legend ___ 96 Person studying bulls ment Akbar Khan and bears, informally 43 Celebrity chef Tsai 118 Big head 99 Big mess

PICKUP BALL by Steve Mossberg; Edited by David Steinberg

30 Hold tightly 32 Whiskey options 33 Raccoon relative 34 Francisco who painted Maja 36 “Haven’t the slightest” 38 Brownstone hangout 40 Greenhouse’s exterior 42 Inorganic food initials 45 Time for a day dream?

47 Sabich sandwich’s bread 49 Acronym for choir voices 50 Go to sea 52 Knock out of the tournament 55 Prefix with “liberal” 56 Needing to catch up

57 Run in the raw 58 Band’s bonuses 61 Fruit with a mandarin variety 62 Labors 63 Move gracefully 64 Harshly criticize 66 Bygone jet (Abbr.)

67 Actors who usually bow last 68 Pants fold 70 Common email attachment 73 Mature person, in at least one way 75 Take for oneself 76 Easy to understand

101 “Definitely not!”

103 “The Chi” creator Waithe 104 “1, 2 Step” singer 106 Places to unwind 108 Skeptical words 110 Grande or venti, at Starbucks 112 Straightened out 114 Italian fashion giant 116 Protector for a car’s interior 119 Lovefest from a critic 120 Less likely to speak up 121 French magazine or pronoun 122 Tractor-trailers 123 Suffix with “senior” 124 H.S. hurdles 125 Use a swizzle stick 126 Fruit that flavors gin 127 Highland Scot, for one

349230-1

349230-1

941.355.8437 | Bradenton

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.

"Z'RR FMRR ZN M HMG UKBJ Z HZB. ZN'D M UAJHBTXOR AFFOVMNZAJ XAT SB. Z'YB JBYBT UATPBH M HMG ZJ SG RZXB."

NAJG CBJJBNN

"C'LV DVLVO XUDHVA HF SV U YUAI XRF YWDBRVN; C'LV UYXUIN XUDHVA HF SV U XFJUD XRF XFOMN."

JVTRUD JUOMYV

Puzzle Two Clue W equals U

Sarasota

KITCHENS, BATHROOMS, BEDROOMS & MORE

Puzzle One Clues K equals H

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

8-05-21

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

RED PAGES redpages@yourobserver.com • yourobserver.com/redpages

Vacation/ Seasonal Rentals

DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at 2PM

WEEKLY MONTHLY

Service Directory - Friday at 3PM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card

SEASONAL Rates Beachfront, Bayfront and In

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.

Between

Reservations 941-383-5577 wagnerlbkrentals@gmail.com Visa/MC

ISLAND SWING BAND Every Monday 6-8 pm, since November 2018 Scarpino’s Italian Restaurant & “All That Jazz”!

6152 -14th St W (Bayshore) Reservations 941-756-8100

Garage/ Moving/ Estate Sales MOVING SALE Friday July 23, 8:00 AM-3:00 PM - , Saturday July 24, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM - Rain or Shine 13934 Wood Duck Cir Furniture, Antiques and more!

M-F Wagner Realty Since 1939

15% DISCOUNT FOR 4-WEEK RUN

941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

PLACE YOUR AD:

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

Call: 941-955-4888 Fax: 941-955-4808 Email: redpages@ yourobserver.com Online: yourobserver.com

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

www.rentalsonlongboat.com

REAL LOCAL STUFF HERE!

YourObserver.com/RedPages

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

Condos/Apts. for Rent OR RENT ANNA MARIA 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

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

Call 941-383-3338.

CLEANING BY Brazilian Lady.

Meticulous, reliable, deep cleaning specialist. Residential.

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

Wallpaper installation & removal, pressure washing.

Residential & commercial, condos. Honest & reliable.

Free estimates. 941-744-1020.

35+ years experience.

Transportation LONGBOAT LIMOUSINE Your local luxury transportation provider since 1994.

New luxury Sedans and SUVs. Fully Licenced and insured.

Auto Transport

Call/Text 941-383-1235

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

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

E-mail: longboatlimousine @yahoo.com

This week’s Crossword answers

Advertise your business or service in the Observer

RED PAGES CALL TODAY 941-955-4888

CLEAN OUT YOUR GARAGE HERE! CALL 941-955-4888

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

Puzzle One Solution: “I’ll call it a day when I die. It’s a wonderful occupation for me. I’ve never worked a day in my life.”

Tony Bennett Puzzle Two Solution: “I’ve never wanted to be a lady who lunches; I’ve always wanted to be a woman who works.”

Meghan Markle

This week’s Sudoku answers

©2021 Universal Uclick

©2021 NEA, Inc.

Announcements

First 15 words .................. $ 17.50 per week Each add’l word ....... 50¢

SELL IT NOW!

real estate

UTILITY TRAILER Tilt, plywood bed, 4'x7' plus misc hitch parts $200 (937) 470-2631

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

BEACH HARBOR Club Gorgeous penthouse condo with access to beach/boat/pool/fitness.

3BR/2BA, 2 large terraces, sunrise/sunset views. $5500/mo in season.

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

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

MEDICAL LIFT with swing canvas chair. Never used. $200 941-800-4476 PAINTING ANNA Maria Beach scene. Oil on canvas, framed & signed. $135.

Family 'Wake The Wizard Game' $25.

941-776-0034

Vacation/ Seasonal Rentals

Ask about our special rates!

101 Longboat Key, FL 34228

home services

CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

5360 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Suite

You’re only cheating yourself.

MADAM ALEXANDRA Doll with a blue china dish that opens and a booklet $40 941-993-4064

Autos Wanted

3BR/3BA LBK Beautiful large canal front, 2-story home, private deeded beach, office, TV/den, dining room, large kitchen, pool and spa $10,200 Monthly or annual (941) 809-4554

peekers’ place

ADVERTISE YOUR MERCHANDISE with the total value of all items $200 or less in this section for FREE! Limit 1 ad per month,15 words or less.

Price must be included next to each item. No commercial advertising.

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer.

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

auto

stuff Items Under $200

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31

THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

360946

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

ROGER SELLS

LUXURY WATERFRONT PROPERTIES

MORE THAN $181 MILLION PENDING AND SOLD IN 2021

3731 INDIAN BEACH PLACE

$6,495,000

862 GRANDE PASS WAY

$3,100,000

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

Begin your dream beach home at this private, gated enclave on the southern tip of Boca Grande. One of only 19 homesites in the exclusive Hill Tide Estates community, this spectacular parcel boasts more than a quarter-acre of direct beachfront property to enjoy, with its own private beach access, fishing options and observation pier.

www.3731IndianBeach.com

www.862GrandePassWay.com

501 NORTON STREET

$1,495,000

128 GOLDEN GATE POINT #501B

$1,395,000

Life on Longboat Key’s north end is a tranquil experience that few can match. This elevated 3BR waterfront home in Sleepy Lagoon rests on an oversized corner lot surrounded by lush landscaping, offering deep-water dock and lift. Waiting for you to make it your own, with Gulf beach access only a sunny walk from the front door.

Located in the heart of downtown, striking views of Sarasota Bay and the city center’s bustling activity are the perfect introduction to this 3,000 SF residence within walking distance to the best that Sarasota offers. Relish the best of both worlds at Vista Bay Point, with its single-family inspired lifestyle complemented by enviable amenities.

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1075 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE #101

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This rarely available 3BR Marbella getaway rests directly on the immaculate shores of Anna Maria island. A charming community comprised of only 11 homes, offering wonderful amenities and convenient leasing options.

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$1,195,000 www.Marbella4.com

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$599,000

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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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.

Est. 1987

Cosmetics, Implants and Bite Reconstruction Actual Patients

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Our team at World Class Dentistry treats patients with a multitude of concerns which streamlines treatment and maintains quality control. The doctors along with their master dental technicians and on-site laboratory offer complete cosmetic and implant solutions. We have been serving the Sarasota area since 1987. Call today for a consultation to begin your life-changing transformation.

Jill Morris, DMD • Accredited Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (only 550 accredited dentists worldwide) • Fellow of the American Academy of Dental Facial Esthetics • Post Doctoral Instructor of Full Mouth Reconstruction • Member International Academy of Oral Biological Dentistry and Toxicology • Practicing dentistry for 33 years

Burr Bakke, DDS

Cameron Johnson, DMD

• Fellow of the American Dental Implant Association

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(941) 999-3205 | 3951 Swift Rd., Sarasota, FL 34231

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