Longboat Observer - Thursday, June 16, 2011

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LONGBOAT

Happy Father’s Day!

You. Your neighbors. Your neighborhood.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

NEWS

NEIGHBORHOOD

North-end beach project almost complete.

We present the 10 coolest Key summer activities.

PAGE 3A.

page 15A.

OUR TOWN

comp plan amendments

DIVERSIONS

Jorge Blanco debuts his comic strip in The Observers.

INSIDE.

by Kurt Schultheis | City Editor

P&Z promotes tourism stays Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board is willing to allow visitors to rent a tourism unit on Longboat Key for longer than 30 days.

Courtesy photo

+ An ode to a Sirius-ly beloved dog

Longboat Key lost a good and faithful friend last month.

Sirius Miller — the beloved dog of Cannons Marina owners David and Lucy Miller, who was a regular around the marina — died at home in his bed, surrounded by his family. In his honor, Lucy Miller wrote on the Cannons Marina blog, cannons.com/blog: “He was loyal, sweet, always looking for food and game 24-7. He was obsessed with tennis balls and treats. He loved to swim, boat and even dive (well, sort of, he would fetch things under water).

“Sirius taught us kindness in the face of aggravation. I mean, having five kids pole up on you cannot be easy, even if you are a golden retriever. Sirius took the attention from every stranger with respect and grace.

“An ode to you, Sirius.

Goodbye, our dear friend.

We hope that we served you half as well as you served us.”

+ Historical Society seeks T-shirt designs The Longboat Key Historical Society is holding a contest for the best beach T-shirt. If you think your design would fit the Historical Society to a T, e-mail your submission to landsendmarina@mac.com.

SEE OUR TOWN / PAGE 8A

Turtle tracks Week of June 5 through June 11

Nests...............................19 False crawls.....................15

2011 2010 Nests 81 55 False crawls 60 49

The Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board is open to doing away with a 30-day maximum rental rule for tourism-zoned properties on Longboat Key. At a planning board special meeting Tuesday, June 14, board members continued to discuss future amendments to the town’s Comprehensive Plan.

Town special counsel attorney

Nancy Stroud suggested the town might consider amending its comp plan to do away with a 30day restriction for tourism units.

Currently, town code does not allow anyone to stay at a tourismzoned property for more than 30 days.

For instance, tourists who come to the Longboat Key Club and Resort and the Hilton Long-

SWAN SONG

boat Key Beachfront Resort are not allowed to stay longer than 30 days.

The same rule existed for those who visited the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort before it closed last summer.

“Does it make any sense to relax that restriction in certain areas?” Stroud asked. “Does the board care whether or not units

are restricted to 30 days occupancy or whether they should be allowed to rent for six months to a year?”

The planning board gave Stroud direction to come back with comp plan amendment language that would allow anyone to occupy a tourism unit on Longboat Key for up to six months.

“I can’t imagine we wouldn’t want people to stay longer,” said

SEE TOURISM / PAGE 2A

by Robin Hartill | Community Editor

Memorial melody Beverly Shapiro and her late husband, Mel, wanted to hear the Marine Hymn at Sarasota’s Memorial Day parade. Now, the hymn will play at future events.

The only instrument to play the Marine Hymn at Sarasota’s 2009 Memorial Day parade was Melvin “Mel” and Beverly Shapiro’s cell phone.

The couple attended the parade together, waiting to hear a musical tribute to a few good men. They didn’t hear the Marine Hymn. They didn’t hear any music, for that matter. So Bev Shapiro called her son, Jeff, and asked him to call their cell phone, which had the Marine Hymn programmed as its ring tone. He called over and over throughout the parade, providing the Marine Hymn to the Shapiros and nearby paradegoers.

But the Shapiros were disappointed by the lack of music at the parade. So in April 2010, they wrote a letter to the editor of a Sarasota daily newspaper, suggesting that they could think of no better gift for their 58th wedding anniversary than to hear a local band — perhaps the Sarasota High School Mighty Sailor Band — play the Marine Hymn at the upcoming Memorial Day parade. Mel Shapiro ended the letter, writing: “My old cell phone broke, and the new one doesn’t have

the Marine Hymn in its repertoire. This might be a sad Memorial Day for this World War II Marine and his wife.”

….

Bev Shapiro doesn’t remember whether the Marine Hymn played at the 1950 Memorial Day parade, in Chelsea, Mass. She was a college senior who was tagging along with her friend, Rhoda, whose kid brother was performing in the parade. But what Shapiro does remember is the group of about 10 veterans standing on the sideline. One was a young Marine Corps veteran named Mel, who had served in World War II. “From 1950 on, it was just Mel and me,” Shapiro said.

Two years after meeting at that Memorial Day parade, the couple married and later had three children. And they soon made Memorial Day parades an annual tradition. They attended the parade from 1956 to 1987 in Marblehead, Mass. Then, after they moved to Longboat Key, they attended the Sarasota parade every year beginning in 1988.

SEE SHAPIRO / PAGE 2A

Robin Hartill

Beverly “Bev” Shapiro holds the Marine Corps coat that belonged to her late husband, Mel, along with the Marine Corps cap he often wore.

INDEX Briefs....................4A Classifieds ........ 21A

Cops Corner..........7A Crossword.......... 20A

Deal Us In......... 19A Opinion.................6A

Real Estate........ 14A Weather............. 20A

Vol. 33, No. 46 | Two sections YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011

….

SHAPIRO / FROM PAGE 1A “The Memorial Day parade was a very important thing in our lives,” Shapiro said.

Although the Shapiros valued the parades, Mel Shapiro seldom spoke about his wartime experience. He left high school a month before graduation to enlist. He had served in Saipan, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Even decades later when he reflected on the war, he felt surprised that he survived. But after Tom Brokaw’s “The Greatest Generation” was published in 1998, he began to open up about his experience. For his 75th birthday, his children gave him a wardrobe of shirts and other clothing items with the Marine Corps logo, including a cap that became his signature item. He wore it everywhere, including the Sarasota Memorial Day parades.

But Memorial Day of 2010 brought a new gift to the Shapiros. After their letter was published, they got a call from Sarasota High School Band Director John Roseboom. He told them to watch the parade at Five Points Park. There, the band would play the Marine Hymn.

A band booster had shown the letter to Roseboom, who asked his student leaders if they wanted to learn the hymn — and they unanimously agreed that they did. In the past, the band hadn’t participated in the Memorial Day parade because of logistics. The parade usually falls at the end of the school year, after uniforms and equipment had been returned. But that year, the school had another week to go before summer break.

“The letter was kind of compelling,” Roseboom said. “It convinced me that we wanted to do it and (students), of course, were in complete agreement.”

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On May 31, 2010, the Shapiros got their wish as they sat in Five Points Park.

“He was overwhelmed,” Shapiro said. “He was thrilled when he learned about how all the kids felt about us asking them to play.”

In a letter of thanks, the Shapiros wrote that the band performed the Marine Hymn more beautifully than they had ever heard.

“What we saw were high-school musicians the same age as Mel when he left one month before high-school graduation to join the Marines,” they wrote.

Roseboom agreed that the band gave a topnotch performance that day.

“They sounded amazing,” Roseboom said.

“You can hear the difference in the band when they’re proud of something they play.”

Mel Shapiro, 85, died Nov. 7, 2010. In his memory, Shapiro asked for memorial contributions to the Mighty Sailor Band — and the donations poured in for the band.

But for the high-school band, Mel Shapiro’s memory continues to live on because of the tradition he inspired. The band will play not only the Marine Hymn, but also other service songs at future Memorial Day parades.

“The kids know that there’s something behind it,” Roseboom said. “It’s becoming part of our repertoire.”

Although the sheet music got lost shortly before the 2011 parade, making a performance impossible, Roseboom has already rewritten the arrangement in preparation for next year’s parade. The bottom of the score now reads: “Dedicated to Mel Shapiro” — a tribute to one of a few good men.

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planning board Chairwoman B.J. Webb.

Planning board member Leonard Garner agreed.

“We are trying to encourage tourism on this island,” Garner said. “If someone wants to stay here for three months or longer, why not let them?”

Realizing there is not much land left the town can acquire for open space purposes, the planning board also made plans to shift the town’s focus toward upgrading the open space lands it already has.

Stroud suggested the town amend its comp plan to support current recreational facilities, while continuing to support land acquisition in the future.

“There is not a lot of land left for the town to acquire,” Stroud said.

“That’s the reason for this suggestion.”

The planning board agreed to support an amended policy in its comp plan that reads: “The town will support the appropriate improvement of town-owned and controlled recreation and open space lands with facilities that expand public enjoyment of those lands while balancing the needs of the environment and neighborhood compatibility.”

Potential funding options that could be used to upgrade current facilities include park user fees, de-

veloper contributions, general operating budget revenues, grants, partnerships and bonds.

The planning board might also consider making amendments to its telecommunications ordinance, which currently only allows cellular towers to be placed on land zoned for government buildings and churches.

However, the planning board might not consider changes that would allow towers to be placed on other locations around the Key. When the planning board sent along suggested language that allowed for tower placement in other areas of the Key in 2007, the Longboat Key Town Commission disagreed with the suggestion.

“We already did this once, passed it along to the commission and it got chopped to pieces,” said planning board member George Symanski Jr. “Why should we do this again?”

Planning, Zoning and Building Director Monica Simpson suggested the board consider setting a maximum allowable height for a cellular tower, which currently doesn’t exist.

Stroud also received permission from the planning board to continue to hold special meetings throughout the summer in an attempt to complete its review of the comp plan and submit comp plan recommendations to the Town Commission by the end of the year.

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TOURISM / FROM PAGE 1A

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THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011

north-end

by Kurt Schultheis | City Editor

Beach project almost complete

3A

violations

by Kurt Schultheis | City Editor

Longboat Key Town Manager Bruce St. Denis is hopeful he can re-open the popular North Shore Road beach access in time for the Fourth of July weekend.

Just months ago, residents of Longbeach condominiums could stand on an exposed seawall and directly look down at waves breaking on a concrete structure —the only thing keeping their property from further eroding and falling into the Gulf.

But today, for the first time since 2006, a wide beach is back in place at the north end of the island, and the concrete seawall is now buried beneath thousands of cubic yards of fine, white sand.

The $4.5 million emergency beach project, which brought about 133,000 cubic yards of sand to the severely eroded north end of the island, is almost complete and is expected to wrap up by the end of the month.

The only place left to put down new sand is just north of North Shore Road, behind 360 North condominiums.

Town Manager Bruce St. Denis said he is pleased with the project.

“Our hope is that a couple of years of slow summer-storm seasons will result in us having to place less sand down in

this area for future beach projects,” St. Denis said.

If this hurricane season is not a severe one for the area, St. Denis and town beach engineer Coastal Planning & Engineering estimate that only 333,000 cubic yards of sand will need to be placed during a north-end beach project anticipated to occur in the next two to three years.

Structures will also be built in the area as part of that project.

“If we’re lucky and the sand stays, that will also reduce the amount of sand needed for a future island-wide beach project,” said St. Denis, who estimates the town might only need to place approximately 833,000 cubic yards of sand down for a future project that would include many other areas of the island.

At a special meeting planned for noon Thursday, June 16, St. Denis will ask the Longboat Key Town Commission to allow him to re-open the North Shore Road beach access this summer when he sees fit to do so.

“It’s my hope we can have that beach

BEFORE

Project follows permit

For the project, sand was placed on the beach from just south of Broadway to just north of the North Shore Road beach access toward Beer Can Island. The 4,015 feet beach segment was renourished by using a town-permitted fine, white sand site located approximately two miles off the northern top of Anna Maria island.

The state of Florida presented the town with a 10-year beach restoration permit Sept. 13, which allowed the beach contractor to rebuild the entire beach profile, or a 200-feet-wide beach that existed on the north end of the island. In addition, the town has permission to restore sand in the area any time it needs to for 10 years, without having to ask for permission from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).

The town put aside $4.5 million in its 2010-11 fiscal year budget to pay for the project.

AFTER

Just months ago, there was no sand behind the Longbeach condominiums seawall.

making headlines

re-opened for the Fourth of July weekend,” St. Denis said.

The north-end emergency beach project has restored the beach on the north end of the island and covered the seawall entirely.

Observer Group acquires Pelican Press The Observer Group Inc., publisher of the Observer weekly newspapers and Gulf Coast Business Review, closed June 8 on the purchase of the Pelican Press and the Pelican Press Marketplace.

The Observer Group acquired the 40-year-old Pelican Press and its sister publication from Journal Community Publishing Group Inc., the Milwaukee, Wis.-based publisher of more than 30 community newspapers and shoppers in Wisconsin, Sarasota and Jacksonville. Journal Community Publishing Group is a division of Journal Communications Inc., a Milwaukee-based, publiclytraded diversified media company.

The price of the sale was not disclosed.

Hugh McGarry, general manager of Journal Community Publishing Group, said the company sold the Pelican Press and Pelican Press Marketplace because of

a strategic decision to concentrate on its cluster of newspapers in Wisconsin.

“It has been a great property for Journal Communications with a great team in place,” McGarry said of the Pelican Press. “The acquisition should give the Observer an expanded footprint in the Sarasota market.”

Journal Communications acquired the Pelican Press in June 1998 from Sarasota entrepreneur John Davidson. Davidson founded the Pelican Press in 1971 on Siesta Key as a way to help promote his startup drug store.

A pharmacist by training, Davidson went on to grow his pharmacy and drug store business to three stores in Sarasota and Siesta Key and also publish the weekly Pelican Press.

For the first 20 years of its existence, the Pelican Press primarily served Siesta Key. But over the past two decades, the Pelican broadened its coverage and focused much of its editorial coverage on Sarasota city and county governments and downtown Sarasota.

Today, the Pelican has a staff of approximately 10 and an office on Siesta Key. Like the Pelican Press, The Observer Group also has deep local roots: Longboat Key residents Ralph and Claire

Sea-turtle lighting fines begin The Longboat Key Code Enforcement Board entered into stipulation agreements with four sea-turtle lighting violators this season.

by Robin Hartill | Community Editor

The locally owned Observer Group is the new owner of the 40-year-old Sarasota weekly.

File photo

There have been four sea-turtle lighting violations this summer so far.

Hunter founded its flagship paper, the Longboat Observer, in 1978. They sold the weekly newspaper in 1995 to current owners Matt and Lisa Walsh. Today, the company has more than 80 employees and publishes the Longboat Observer, Sarasota Observer, East County Observer and Gulf Coast Business Review. The company also owns and publishes the Palm Coast Observer, on the east coast of Florida. With the acquisition of the Pelican Press and its sister shopper, The Observer Group increases the number of newspapers the company publishes to seven.

No immediate changes to the Pelican have been announced, although staffs will work to determine market needs in the near future.

Altogether, The Observer Group newspapers, including the Pelican Press and Pelican Press Marketplace, will distribute 124,500 newspapers a week.

“We’re thrilled to become the next stewards of the Pelican,” said Matt Walsh, CEO of The Observer Group Inc. “Although we have been direct competitors for the past seven years in Sarasota and on Siesta Key, the Pelican is a great fit for our company. We focus on the same thing — helping local businesses with their advertising and providing the Sarasota market with hyper-local community news and information.

“We’re excited about joining our two staffs into a common mission and publishing great newspapers and websites,” Walsh said.

It’s that time of year again.

The Longboat Key Code Enforcement Board always hears multiple cases of seaturtle lighting violations in the summer months. Its June regular meeting served as the kick-off for the violation season.

Town code states that no artificial light can illuminate any area of the town’s beach during sea-turtle nesting season, which runs from May to October. All lights must be shielded, dimmed, turned off or replaced with turtle-friendly red lights during this period.

At its Monday, June 13 regular meeting, the code board reviewed a list of four seaturtle lighting violations that included: • Four Winds Resort, 2605 Gulf of Mexico Drive • Buttonwood Cove, 3660 Gulf of Mexico Drive • Longboat Terrace, 5391 Gulf of Mexico Drive • Gerald Pies, the owner of a singlefamily home at 6401 Gulf of Mexico Drive In all four cases, Longboat Key codeenforcement officer Heidi Micale noted that the violators had lights illuminating the beach area and the lights could be seen from the beach.

Bright, white lights can disorient sea turtles and prevent them from nesting.

The bright lights can also disorient hatchlings and cause them to head toward the light instead of the Gulf of Mexico.

All four violators entered into stipulations and agreed to take the necessary steps to correct the problem. By entering into stipulations, the violators avoided the assessment of administrative fees.

However, if the violators repeat the violation in the future, they are subject to a fine of up to $500 per day.

It’s the town’s hope that there has been enough education about sea-turtle lighting in recent years that the violations won’t increase.

So far, no fines have been imposed against sea turtle violators in 2011.

That hasn’t been the case in past years.

In 2008, Longboat Key Towers, 601 Longboat Club Road, was levied a $500 fine after the code board was told the condominium’s bright lights led to the demise of 100 loggerhead sea-turtle hatchlings.

Sand Cay Beach Resort had to pay a $600 fine that same year for multiple lighting violations.

longboat Observer

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THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011

The Sarasota City Commission appointed Gavin Meshad to serve as the new St. Armands Business Improvement District (BID) director.

Meshad is vice chairman of Gateway Bank of Southwest Florida and vice president of JWM Management Inc., a real estate management, development and leasMeshad ing company. He is a lifelong Sarasota resident and a member of the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County. Meshad will fill the seat of Vicki Fry, who died April 17.

+ Village sewer line ruptures on Broadway A sewer line has ruptured near the entrance of Longbeach Village on Broadway.

Longboat Key Public Works Director Juan Florensa said the pipe ruptured 13 feet below the surface last week, when

+ Evacuation assistance program announced

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Longboat Key Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi is urging people with special needs to participate in an emergency evacuation assistance program, if island residents need to evacuate this year because of a pending hurricane.

The town of Longboat Key is in partnership with Manatee County and Sarasota County to provide additional help to citizens requiring evacuation assistance due to a medical condition or a type of issue that limits a resident’s mobility.

Residents with those types of issues need to register with the People with Special Needs (PSN) Program in the county where they reside.

To register in Sarasota County, island residents can call 861-5000 or visit www.co.sarasota.fl.us/emergencyservices/ HurricanePrep/specialneeds.asp.

To register in Manatee County, island residents can call 749-3500, Ext. 1667 or visit www.mymanatee.org/home/ government/departments/public-safety/ emergency-management/special-needs. html.

The most read stories online last week were:

1. Publix begins discussions with town (June 8) 2. L’Ambiance unit sells for $2,375,000 (June 8) 3. PHOTO GALLERY: Mote celebrates World Ocean Day (June 5) 4. Sexual battery reported on Longboat Key (June 3) 5. Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week continues (June 2)

a contractor was attempting to place a new pipe over the aging sewer line.

Because the pipe has ruptured, the contractor must remove the pipe and replace it, which will take about three weeks to complete.

A temporary sewer pump is allowing the island’s sewage on the north end of the island to be pumped safely to the mainland.

Please take notice that the Town of Longboat Key will hold a public hearing on the following Ordinance to adopt proposed amendments to the Longboat Key Comprehensive Plan: ORDINANCE 2011-28 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF LONGBOAT KEY, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO THE FUTURE LAND USE ELEMENT OF THE TOWN OF LONGBOAT KEY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, OBJECTIVE 1.1, REGARDING MANAGING LAND DEVELOPMENT, AND ITS POLICIES, TABLE 1 AND FIGURE 2 AND RELATED DATA AND ANALYSIS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

 Town Commission Regular Workshop — 1 p.m. Thursday, June 16.  Planning and Zoning Board Regular Meeting — 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 21.  Code Enforcement Board Regular Meeting — 10 a.m. Monday, July 11.  Town Commission Regular Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, July 11.

All meetings take place at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.

Once registered, during an evacuation, a PSN program operator will notify those residents when an evacuation order has been issued, confirm current medical needs and transportation information and coordinate a time for Longboat Key Fire Rescue and county personnel to assist residents in getting off the island.

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A Public Hearing before the Planning and Zoning Board on the proposal will be held on June 21, 2011, at 9:00 a.m., or as soon thereafter as may be heard, at the Town Commission Chambers, Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key, Florida. All interested persons may appear and be heard with respect to the proposed amendment. Copies of the proposed amendment and related material may be viewed prior to the hearing at the Planning, Zoning & Building Department, 501 Bay Isles Road, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. weekdays.

Questions may be directed to the Planning, Zoning & Building Department at 316-1966. The proposed amendment will affect property within the corporate boundaries of the Town of Longboat Key as shown on the map appearing at the bottom of this advertisement. No verbatim record by a certified court reporter is made of these proceedings. Accordingly, any person who may seek to appeal any decision involving the matters noticed herein will be responsible for making a verbatim record of the testimony and evidence at these proceedings upon which any appeal is to be based (see Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes.). In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 286.26, Florida Statutes, persons needing a special accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact the Town Clerk’ s office at 941-316-1999 forty-eight (48) hours in advance of this proceeding. If you are hearing impaired, please call 941-373-7002.

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Meetings agendas

MUSSELS • LOBSTER • ANTIPASTO

TOWN OF LONGBOAT KEY PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ADOPTION PUBLIC HEARING JUNE 21, 2011

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+ Gavin Meshad appointed BID director

MUSSELS • LOBSTER • ANTIPASTO

NEWSBRIEFS

4A

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THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011

TURTLE WATCH

patriotic parade

by Robin Hartill | Community Editor

5A

by Robin Hartill | Community Editor

Loggerheads on track Freedom Fest to march for successful season on for Fourth of July When it comes to nesting season, don’t count your turtles before they hatch. But so far, 2011 is starting off to be a good year for loggerhead turtles.

Nesting numbers are currently up by 47.3% compared to the same point in 2010, with 81 nests on Longboat Key as of June 12, compared to 55 at the same time last year.

Veteran Longboat Key Turtle Watch member Freda Perrotta said that it’s still too early to say if this season will be good for turtles.

“You can’t make any predictions at this point,” she said. “We started nesting this year May 1, but last year, it wasn’t until May 15.”

According to Kristen Mazzarella, senior biologist and volunteer coordinator for Mote Marine Laboratory’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program, a variety of factors affects sea-turtle nesting.

“We’ve had a good start to nesting season and we hope to continue getting these strong numbers,” she said. “Generally, the sea turtle species that visit our beaches will return to nest every two to three years, so last year’s turtles were probably different individuals than this year. That may partly explain why the numbers look different. But also, this year’s warmer water temperatures helped nesting start earlier. Temperature is a cue for nesting to begin.”

Storms are a wildcard when it comes to nesting season. For example in July 2005, when Hurricane Dennis brought heavy winds and rain to Longboat Key, approximately LBK2010 H75% of existing nests were destroyed.

Last year’s Fourth of July brought nearly an inch of rain to Longboat Key, resulting in the cancellation of the annual Freedom Fest. But this year, organizers are hopeful that it won’t rain on this parade.

Freedom Fest is scheduled for 9 a.m.

Monday, July 4, on Bay Isles Parkway in front of Longboat Key Town Hall. Participants are invited to wear their best red, white and blue attire for a patriotic parade around Bay Isles Road.

“I call it the shortest parade in America, if not the world,” said Tom Aposporos, president of the Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce, which hosts the event. “It’s really a delightful event. I think we probably see every young family on the island.”

Following the parade, festivities move to nearby Bicentennial Park. A breakfast,

By the numbers The following is a compellation of nesting numbers for the first seven weeks of turtle-nesting season from the past five years.

Year Nests 2011 81 2010 55 2009 84 2008 81 2007 37

False crawls 60 49 59 47 23

featuring Blue Dolphin Café’s famous waffles and the Longboat Key Club’s tasty sausage, will be available for the good old-fashioned price of $1 each. Kids can enjoy fun games (tickets are sold in the park). Another highlight of the morning will be the Longboat Key Garden Club’s release of 70 butterflies in the Butterfly Garden.

“It’s a special event that really does celebrate Independence Day in a very small-town kind of way,” Aposporos said.

The event is sponsored by the Longboat Observer, Cannons Marina, Casa del Mar, the Longboat Key Club and Resort, Blue Dolphin Café and the town of Longboat Key. So, decorate your bikes, trikes, wagons, walkers and pets and join the Freedom Fest parade.

‘Boom Boom on the Bay’ This year’s Fourth of July weekend will start out with a bang.

The annual fireworks display, “Boom Boom on the Bay,” returns this year, with fireworks beginning at 9 p.m. Saturday, July 2. VIP tables are available at Moore’s Stonecrab Restaurant, 800 Broadway, and Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub, 760 Broadway.

For information or reservations, call Moore’s at 383-1748 or Mar Vista at 383-2391.

File photo

Sally Boynton and Cindy and Jim Hayworth help to excavate a nest in 2008.

Mazzarella said numerous factors can affect nesting numbers from year to year, but what is most important is monitoring numbers every year to determine ways to conserve sea turtles in the long term.

But if the turtles stay on track, the first nests of the season could hatch by the last weekend of June — bringing a new generation of hatchlings into the sea.

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THURSDAY, june 16, 2011

opinion | define the mission

Business plan for town Governments are not the same as businesses, but they can take an awful lot of lessons from how businesses run themselves and plan for the future. As we have said recently, with three town commissioners boasting strong business-executive backgrounds, this is the time to move the town more in that direction.

So, it is encouraging to see Longboat Key Commissioner Jack Duncan propose the town create a long-term business plan that covers a myriad of ongoing issues. It can be a sort of road map, but not the pie-in-the-sky visioning kind that consultants make a lot of money from and generally accomplish zilch.

The town currently has a set of goals and objectives for the short term and budgeting is generally two to five years.

But a business plan would include expected revenues and expenses for the issues facing the town.

Frankly, if a business plan with realistic assumptions had been in place in previous years, the town probably would not be facing the fire-employee pension imbroglio that it is. Or if a business plan had been operating, the town would have a plan and the financing for a community center at Bayfront Park — or somewhere else, or not one at all.

Commissioners should approach this differently from the goals and objectives, always taking into account priorities and revenues and what Longboat wants to be. Any business plan needs to include the source of revenue and the benefit to the company. So it is not just a wish list.

But the first thing commissioners need to do is determine the broad policy view that reflects where Longboat Key should be in

25 years. “Keep Longboat Longboat” rings with Longboaters; they know what it means, but it also conveys a sense of “don’t change,” “stand still.”

So for instance, long before a decision on the community center for Bayfront Park is decided, a business plan would answer these questions: Should the town be an active recreational community? If so, should it only promote rules and regulations for the private sector to handle, or should it also include public-funded recreation? And then the discussion can be had on the details of a community center.

Commissioners will be meeting during a regular workshop Thursday to consider the business plan idea and begin the process.

The staff and public at some point will have their input also.

But it is important that it not become a grab-bag of favored interests by a small minority. A load of sacred cows can kill a good plan as fast as not even having one.

Not surprising, Duncan has some ideas for getting the conversation started, and they are printed in the box on this page.

But any list at the beginning of the process makes suppositions that may be premature.

It would be better to define what the town should be — not just what it should not be — and then move down to specifics.

So what is the mission of the island and the role of town government in ensuring that mission? Much follows from this, and in the right perspective.

Further, the process should compile a list of all of the island’s resources, including revenues, facilities, land, people, reputation, history, market cache and so on.

And here are a few pitfalls to avoid:

• Overly optimistic revenue projections or cost estimates. Doing this softens some pain short term but causes much more pain longterm. (See again firefighters pension fund.)

• Don’t be only big picture. Make sure that realistic details are included using groundbased projections. Raising hopes and then dashing them is bad policy and bad politics.

Duncan’s start Longboat Key Commissioner Jack Duncan submitted an outline of a proposed business concept plan for Longboat Key to the Longboat Observer. His proposal is more of a starting point than anything, but it can be part of the conversation for generating a solid, 25-year plan for the future of the island: • A mission statement • Integrated revitalization plan • Long-range financial planning • Beaches • Pension plans • Compensation and succession planning within staff • Information-technology infrastructure • Commission training • Development of endowment plan • Long-range demographic planning for the island • Tourism • Water resources • Recreation

OUR VIEW | local rule

Legislation hurts Longboat The Legislature violated in the past session ing referenda on any comprehensive plan boundary. This is what Town Attorney David one basic governing principle but upheld amendments.

Persson calls the “Mother, may I?” method. one unfortunately universal law — the law of This portion flies in the face of the It substantially reduces risks for the unintended consequences. principle that the government closest to developer, and so more positive developAnd it is going to be a problem for Longthe people is the government that is best. ment tends to go through. In fact, Longboat boat Key unless town leaders can get legislaAnd it causes a big problem for Longboat voters have approved every change brought tors to amend a law they just passed.

Key, where there had never been a problem by a private developer, the latest being for The problem starts with the massive bill before, because Longboat is the opposite of Moore’s Stone Crab Restaurant & Marina. re-writing the state’s growth-management St. Pete Beach.

But just because voters approve the maxilaws. The overall law and its intentions were The town has been holding referenda on mum increase does not mean that is what exactly what was needed in Florida. For too comprehensive-plan amendments since the Town Commission will approve. It can, long, the 1984 Growth Management Act 1984 — interestingly, a few months before and has, approved less. had allowed unelected and unaccountable the original Growth Management Act was The referendum system has worked on bureaucrats in Tallahassee to veto — and signed into law. But the town charter calls Longboat, but because of the new legislaat times, effectively dictate — what would for a referendum to be held up front, asking tion, it is nullified, and essentially the town’s and would not be allowed in comprehensive voters what maximum changes they would growth opportunities are capped with what plans from Broward to Manatee to Leon allow to a property, and then the developer is on the books right now. counties. and Town Commission work within that Essentially, the town cannot hold any The new law pushed the more referenda on comp-plan decision-making responsibility amendments, which mostly and accountability back down to affects development densities local elected officials in counties on the island. What had been apand cities where it should reside, proved by voters earlier is still on plus it cut red tape and bureauthe books, such as the 2007 refer“But it took me longer to get the hang of the word ‘entitlecracy, saving millions of dollars endum granting the town an adment.’ You don’t hear it in political discussions in most of the and streamlining the developditional 250 tourism units and the rest of the West, even in Canada. There’s talk of ‘social proment process for the economic Longboat Key Club and Resort’s grams’ and ‘benefits’ and ‘welfare,’ but not of ‘entitlements.’ rebound — should we ever see Islandside expansion project. But one with the debt load we are I knew the term only in its psychological use — ‘sense of no future ones will be allowed. now carrying.

There is a solution. The town entitlement’ — in discussions of narcissistic personality disBut in one area of the re-write, needs to persuade local legislaorder and whatnot… the Legislature got it backward tors to sponsor an amendment “‘Entitlements’ are unrepublican: They are contemptuous for Longboat Key and perhaps next year that will grandfather in of the most basic principle of responsible government — that other municipalities. It wanted those municipalities that were a parliament cannot bind its successor. Which is what entitleto prevent disastrous repeats doing it like Longboat. There ments do, to catastrophic effect… such as St. Pete Beach, where are not many, but without such “Whether or not government ‘entitlements’ are debts, they that city’s form of Hometown an amendment, the legislation very quickly become a psychological disorder — and a ‘sense Democracy required developers actually works exactly contrary on to spend enormous amounts of Longboat to its stated goal of local of entitlement’ is harder to dislodge than almost anything money and time upfront before government decision-making and else. Government entitlement breeds psychological entitlesending a development to vote more development — fulfilling ment breeds a utopia of myopia… in a local referendum at the end. the law of unintended conse“‘Entitlement is an ingenious word, a brilliant coinage for That killed development and quences. both a pampering state’s generosity and the debilitating conredevelopment in the Pinellas “It creates the reverse thing that sequences thereof.”

County city. was intended for Longboat,” PersMark Steyn, author who immigrated from Great Britain, But the new state law acson said. writing in National Review. complished this by prohibiting Should be an easy fix. But it local governments from holdneeds to be done.

What others are saying Entitlements sentiments

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THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011

Corner

LONGBOAT

June 1

and all parties agreed to resolve the issue with residents in the future.

2:25 p.m. — 600 block of Birdie Lane.

Unsecured Boat. Public Works Department employees secured a drifting boat to a dock in Country Club Shores. The owner of the boat promised to retrieve it the following day.

June 5

Tied down

June 2

Payment due 12:08 p.m. — 500 block of Bay Isles Parkway. Traffic Violation. Police pulled over a man for pulling a trailer that didn’t have working brake lights or a valid tag.

The driver was issued citations and was arrested for driving with a suspended driver’s license, because he had not made child-support payments.

June 3

Man of few words

Noise control 7:51 a.m. — 6900 block of Poinsetta Avenue. Animal Nuisance. A woman complained that a neighbor’s dogs were left outside in the yard all day and barked continuously. Other neighbors also made complaints and planned to provide police with a neighborhood petition to request the barking cease. The owner of the dogs promised to get the situation under control.

Security breach 8:40 a.m. — 3000 block of Harbourside Drive. Reckless Driving. A security officer told police that a driver kept driving through the gates without stopping to verify his destination. It was learned there was confusion about new security procedures that were recently implemented,

8:08 p.m. — 200 block of North Shore Road. Trespassing. A couple told police that people keep walking through their condominium property to the beach.

They are concerned about the security of their property, and police promised to increase patrols in the area.

June 6

Ticket taker 7:34 a.m. — 6000 block of GMD. Traffic Violation. A man was issued a ticket for driving with a suspended driver’s license.

Hindsight is 20/20 4:20 p.m. — Intersection of GMD and Broadway. Reckless Driving. A man told police that someone driving a large truck passed him illegally in the center of Long-

boat Pass Bridge and hit the driver’s side mirror on his van. The man pulled over at Broadway and called police to report the incident, which began when the truck began tailgating him in Bradenton Beach.

The situation had escalated when the driver of the van hit his brakes to try and force the truck to stop following him so closely, and the van driver threw a glass of water over the roof of his van and back at the truck. Both drivers admitted their actions were wrong, and no tickets were issued, because there was no damage to either vehicle. The mirror was adjusted back into place.

No passing 5:19 p.m. — 3200 block of GMD. Traffic Violation. Police observed a motorcycle passing a car in a no-passing zone and pulled him over. The man was arrested for driving without a valid driver’s license and had multiple violations in the past for the

ac

3720 Gulf of Mexico Dr. • Longboat Key, FL 34228 941-387-9709

Property search 11:45 p.m. — Intersection of GMD and Tarawitt Drive. Suspicious Vehicle. A woman told police a car was driving slowly up and down her street. Police ran the tag of the car and discovered it belonged to a real-estate agent. No further action was taken.

June 7

Switching it up 8:31 a.m. — 1100 block of GMD. Traffic Violation. A man admitted to putting the tag from his van onto his unregistered truck, which was also not insured. He was issued a ticket for putting the improper tag on an unregistered vehicle.

June 8

Open door policy 3:36 a.m. — Off the Key. Assist Other Agency. Police responded to the Bradenton Beach City Pier to help with a report of a pried open kitchen door. No one was located inside, and police waited until the restaurant owner responded.

False alarm 6:40 p.m. — 800 block of Longboat Club Road. Burglar Alarm. Police responded to a security alarm but found the home secure.

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5:52 p.m. — 4700 block of GMD. Vehicle Larceny. A woman told police that someone entered her unlocked car and stole about $4 worth of change from the center console.

12:38 p.m. — Longboat Key Police Department. A woman told police that the clerk at a corner market charged her $1.05 for a $0.99 bag of popcorn. She told the clerk that there is no tax on food after handing him a dollar but he demanded an additional nickel before grabbing the bag.

When the customer asked for her dollar back, he threw it across the counter.

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10:21 a.m. — 400 block of L’Ambiance Drive. Phone Call. A woman told police that a man kept calling her and saying, “Yo!” before hanging up. Police left a message for the prankster and urged him to stop calling the woman.

5:12 p.m. — 5700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive (GMD). Traffic Violation. A man who is registered as a sexual offender was warned about reckless driving while he was delivering magazines on the Key. Police called the man’s probation officer to advise him of the situation.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011

>> Continued from Page 1A

+ Chamber still means (small) business There’s something about business people — they’re just so darned busy. And to accommodate their busy schedules, the Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce is switching up the format for its Small Business Week. Unlike past years in which seminars have been held back-to-back over a three-day period, the chamber will spread out its seminars throughout the year. And instead of the traditional breakfast awards ceremony, Small Business of the Year award winners will be announced at an Academy Awards-style Business After Hours from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, at the Players Theatre in Sarasota. For information, call 383-2466.

+ Wicker, the green turtle, swims back home to sea after Lido send-off What’s in a name? Plenty for this turtle.

Wicker, a 13-inch green sea turtle, got his name after he stranded March 24, near the Wicker Inn. But on Friday, June 10, Mote Marine staff, interns and volunteers released Wicker off of Lido Beach as a crowd of 50 cheered him on in his return to sea. During its stay at Mote, Wicker underwent minor surgery to remove two papilloma tumors that can sometimes prevent turtles from seeing, swimming or eating normally and even cause death. But fortunately, Wicker’s return to the water went swimmingly well: He glided away immediately after he was placed in the sea.

Photo courtesy of Mote Marine Laboratory

Mote intern Kathryn Shaughneyssy holds Wicker before his release.

+ ‘The Castaway’ is ‘rescued’ at The Observer Most folks know artist Jorge Blanco for his bright, geometric sculptures around Sarasota.

But, back in his hometown of Caracas, Venezuela, Blanco is famous for his poetic comic strip, “The Castaway.”

His 1980 creation, featuring a skinny little character alone on an island, was an overnight success and was featured in newspapers and magazines for 20 years; it also appeared on TV and in eight books. (Read the cover story on the Diversions section for the complete story.)

Blanco says he has missed his “castaway.”

And, the Longboat Observer has found the perfect home for “The Castaway” — beautiful Longboat Key. Starting with this issue, the charming comic strip will appear weekly in all The Observers — Longboat, East County and Sarasota — and soon in The Pelican Press, the newest sister paper in The Observer Group.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011

obituaries 50063

Willie Jackson Jr.

Willie Jackson Jr., 60, of Sarasota, died June 7.

Born Dec. 29, 1950, he was a lifelong Sarasota resident and a member of the 1967 Booker High School Tornadoes basketball championship team. He served for 20 years as a Longboat Key police officer and was honored as the 2008 Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key Police Officer of the Year.

Upon receiving the honor, Jackson told the Jackson Longboat Observer that one of his most memorable calls occurred Dec. 21, 2006 — the day that 25 Cuban refugees landed on Longboat Key. Jackson was the first police officer on scene.

Jackson was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008, but barely missed a day of work while undergoing chemotherapy treatments before retiring in 2009. He was an avid sports fan who loved the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and had a passion for cooking.

Jackson is survived by his wife of 35 years, Betty; daughters Sybyl Gant, of St. Petersburg, Kimberly Parris, of Somerset, N.J., Candace Williams, of Winter Haven, and Dina Clark, of Cape Coral; son, Willie III, of Sarasota; 18 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A visitation will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, June 17, at Palms-Robarts Funeral Home, 170 Honore Ave., Sarasota. A funeral will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, with interment following at Palms-Robarts Memorial Park.

Andrew Scherman 58604

Andrew Scherman, 52, of St. Petersburg

and formerly of Sarasota, died June 8.

Born Jan. 12, 1959, in New York City, he became the youngest player at age 11 to ever compete in the World Chess Olympiad, a record not broken again until 2008.

He graduated from Hempstead High School, in Long Island, N.Y., while attending Adelphi University and went on to graduate from the University of Florida in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in history and from law school in 1984.

Mr. Scherman worked at the State Attorney’s Office in Sarasota and went on to run a private practice for 14 years. After retiring from law, he became a professional chess coach/teacher and tournament organizer. For the past 10 years, he was president of the St. Petersburg Chess Club and served as president of the Florida Chess Association for three years.

He was awarded the title of “Life Master” by the U.S. Chess Federation in 1993.

In 2003, he won the U.S. G/10 National Championship in Houston, a title that he retained in 2004.

Mr. Scherman was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Norman Scherman. He is survived by his life partner, Diane Drutowski; mother, Annette Scherman, and stepfather, former Longboat Key Mayor Robert Drohlich, of Sarasota; and two cousins.

A remembrance gathering will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 23, at the David E. Gross Funeral Home, 6366 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. A celebration of life will take place at noon Friday, June 24, at Lazy Lobster Longboat Key, 5350 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, 1515 S. Osprey Ave., Suite B4, Sarasota, Fla. 34239, or Community Video Archives, 1235 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Fla. 34239.

TOWN OF LONGBOAT KEY NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING JUNE 21, 2011 (QUASI-JUDICIAL)

Give Your Dad a Unique Antique this Father's Day!

113 113 Tamiami Tamiami Trail Trail in in the the town town of of OSPREY, OSPREY, FL FL 1 Block South of Spanish Point

941-966-9800 941-966-9800 Hours: Hours: Mon-Sat Mon-Sat 10-5 10-5 Sun Sun 11-5 11-5 Fishing Lures & Reels • Nautical • Model Ships • Barometers • Military • Knives Tools • Tobacco Jars • Lighters • Decanters • Flasks • Bronzes • Clocks • Postcards Toys • Chess • Backgammon • Mah Jong • Poker chips • Dominoes • Cribbage

8,600 sq ft of unique antiques with 30 dealers! s s llow e pi sardine a e r f 2 n of se of ca ha & a h purc or set wit matt

A quasi-judicial public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Board on the proposal will be held on June 21, 2011 at 9:00 a.m., or as soon thereafter as may be heard, at the Town Commission Chambers, 501 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key, Florida. This hearing will be held in accordance with established quasi-judicial procedures.

“Look for the Orange & Green Building!”

sleep king

54045

Please take notice that a public hearing will be held at the request of Lighthouse Point Association of Longboat Key to consider an Outline Development Plan Amendment and Site Plan Amendment to reconfigure the Lighthouse Point community dock area resulting in an increase of the projection into the waterway to 59.6 feet, with an additional 480 square feet of dock area for a total dock area of 1,891 square feet, to provide mooring areas for lots located at 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 Lighthouse Point Drive.

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All interested persons may appear and be heard with respect to the proposal. Copies of the proposal and related material may be viewed prior to the hearing at the Planning, Zoning & Building Department, 501 Bay Isles Road, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. weekdays.

Questions may be directed to the Planning, Zoning & Building Department at 316-1966. The proposed amendment will affect property within the corporate boundaries of the Town of Longboat Key as shown on the map appearing at the bottom of this advertisement. If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at this meeting, a record of the proceedings will be needed. For such purpose that person may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

1901 HAnsen sT., sArAsOTA, fl - 1 BlOCk sOUTH Of Bee riDge Off 41 - TUrn @ Tire kingDOM

lBk

Visit Our NEW Sarasota Location!

BJ Webb, Chair Planning and Zoning Board Published 6/16/2011

Furniture • Accessories Pedestals Bathroom Towel Bars & More!

Take Palmer under I-75 overpass, take first right on Porter, down 1 mile on East side.

58507

35396 55441

Visit us at www.delcraft.net

6321 Porter Rd, Unit 1 • Sarasota, FL 34240 • 379-4037

longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011

11A

COMMUNITY CALENDAR On the key Republican Club of Longboat Key Summer Barbecue — takes place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 15, at Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd.

This GOP gathering will feature a cash bar, hamburgers, hot dogs and more.

Cost is $20. For reservations, call Ruth Strauss at 383-5349.

‘Medicare 101’ Seminar — takes place at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 23, at Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Donna Bilzman, who has worked in the health-care industry for 20 years and specializes in Medicare coverage, will speak. The event is open to the public.

Call 383-6491.

Cancer Support Community Sessions — take place from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Mondays, at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church, 563 Bay Isles Road.

The sessions offer support to cancer patients and their family members and friends. Call 921-5539 or visit cancersupportsuncoast.org.

Longboat Library — is open from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The library is located at 555 Bay Isles Road. Call 383-2011.

The Lord’s Warehouse — is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday.

The thrift shop is located at 6140 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Call 383-4738.

Mote Marine Laboratory Sea Turtle Walks — take place at 6:45 a.m.

Saturdays, beginning at the Hilton Longboat Key Beachfront Resort, 4711 Gulf of Mexico Drive. A guide will lead participants on a 1.5-mile walk in which they will learn about turtle nesting and protecting turtles. Call 3884441.

Ringling College of Art and Design Creatives Exhibit — runs through July 21, at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design, 6860 Longboat Drive S. The exhibit features the work of Fiore Custode in the Durante Gallery and Nathan Skiles in the Cultural Media Room. Call 383-2345.

Shifting Sands Support Group — meets at 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and at 3 p.m.

Thursdays, at the Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Call 383-6491.

I keep our land productive.

I am Mosaic.

Before we begin any mining for phosphate — an essential

DON’T MISS

crop nutrient for growing food — Mosaic develops a

Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards

productive use after mining. As reclamation supervisor,

What: This year’s event will feature an Academy Awards-style awards presentation, along with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Cost is $5. Call 3832466.

When: 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 22

government-approved plan for restoring the land to I oversee the creation of wetlands, parks, wildlife habitats, and other areas for both people and wildlife to enjoy.

Knowing I’m helping to preserve nature makes my work more than a job.

Actually, it’s nothing short of a mission.

Where: The Players Theatre, 838 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota ®

57947

www.mosaicfla.com

12A

longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011

LONGBOAT LIFE

See more photos from these events on our website www.YourObserver.com

>> Sarasota Yacht Club >> Lou Newman photography exhibit >> Longboat Key Club >> St. Armands Craft Festival

Marian Irwin and Julie McClintic, of Sun City, enjoy some frozen lemonades at the 10th annual St. Armands Craft Festival Saturday June, 11.

Terry Bodeker looks at some of the candles made by Brandles at the St. Armands Craft Festival.

Elizabeth Fushen takes her time choosing a prize boat during National Marina Day Saturday, June 11, at the Longboat Key Club.

Lauren Fischer, Elizabeth Fuchsen and Diane Fischer at National Marina Day.

SHOP

THE ISLAND CABANA for unique

FATHER’S DAY GIFTS Cuff Links, Wallets and Bottle Openers Made from Official Major League Baseball balls & bats

As seen on the TODAY SHOW! Tokens made from used game balls.

MLB authenticated.

We are pleased to unveil our New Golf Membership. Imagine unlimited use of 45-holes of challenging golf, two driving ranges, six restaurants, beach & poolside facilities, Island House Spa, Fitness Centre and Mind & Motion Studio. Plus an open invitation to attend Club activities as well as use of Marina Village amenities and some tennis privileges.

Call today for details and to schedule your private tour.

Dine at six very distinctive, elegant to casual, onsite rstaurants.

442 Gulf of Mexico Drive • Longboat Key 941.387.1602 • www.longboatkeyclub.com • membership@longboatkeyclub.com

941-896-4946

403 C Pine Avenue, Anna Maria FL 34216

LV1339

Reenergize mind and body at our 9,000 sf Island House Spa.

58590

Play a match at our USTA award-winning Tennis Gardens.

58508

Enjoy the magnificent beachfront setting with pristine white sand & warm Gulf waters.

longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011

13A

Estelle Estabrook and Reagan Rowe attended Sarasota Yacht Club’s first “Concert on the Lawn” event Saturday, June 11 at the Sarasota Yacht Club.

Below: Juan Gutierrez and Christopher Kimpton pose in the Hukilau Hut Treats stand at the “Concert on the Lawn” event.

Photos by Robin Hartill and Rachel S. O’Hara

Dr. Lou Newman stands next to one of his favorite photos at his latest show, “Wildlife Babies: Wildlife Youngsters of Animals and Birds,” which opened Tuesday, June 7, at Plymouth Harbor’s Mezzanine Art Gallery

Luke Labriola enjoys a red and blue Hawaiian Ice at Sarasota Yacht Club.

of Longboat Key • Presbyterian USA

The Episcopal Church on Longboat Key

INVITES YOU

563 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key

Reverend Dr. Bruce Porter SUNDAY SERVICE • 10:00 A.M. SERMoN: “A God for the Plains”

All are welcome. Please join us in worship!

Sunday Service 9:00 a.m.

Music Director: Dan Hoffman

Gary Gary A. Batey, Pastor Pastor

A non-denominational, traditional traditional church A non-denominational, church

10:00 a.m. Worship Service

Sunday 9Sunday, AM and AM —Traditional Worship 1011 am – Traditional Worship 9 am –Sunday Adult Sunday 10 AM —Adult SchoolSchool & Book Study 10 am – Children and Youth Church School 9 AM —Children and Youth Church School

941-778-0414

6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, Florida 34228 Telephone: 383-6491 web: www.islandchapel.com

512 Pine Avenue, Anna Maria

www.roserchurch.com

Share Shabbat and more:

Temple Beth Israel

Msgr. Gerard Finegan, Pastor

56203

Confession before all weekend Masses

s!

U

A Center of Jewish Life and Learning in the Sarasota Area

SUMMER MASS SCHEDULE Saturday: 5:00 pm Sunday: 8:30 am & 10:30 am 4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive Longboat Key, FL 34228 383-1255

n

CATHOLIC CHURCH

i Jo

Temple Beth Israel

St. Mary, Star of the Sea,

Friday Evening, 5:30 pm Saturday Morning, 10:00 am Please visit our Judaica Shop 941.383.3428 512www.tbi-lbk.org 941-778-0414 Pine Avenue, Anna Maria www.roserchurch.com

567 Bay Isles Road Roser • Longboat Key, FLChurch Community

9

Gary A. Batey, Pastor

A non-denominational, traditional church

Serving The KeyS: Bird/Lido ST. ArmAndS LongBoAT

KEY PLUMBING 366-4555

Sunday 9 AM and 11 AM —Traditional Worship 10 AM —Adult Sunday School & Book Study 9 AM —Children and Youth Church School

24 HOUR SERVICE • • • •

Water Heaters • GarbaGe Disposals instant Hots • Filters all Major branDs pluMbinG Fixtures KitcHen & batH reMoDelinG • Drain cleaninG

Your Longboat Key Plumbers for 34 Years

Certificate # CFC057885

52425

The Rev. Kenneth Gill Senior Minister

Celebrating 100 years of Service in 2013

58605

The Community Church on Longboat Key

383-8833

www.christchurchoflbk.org

Roser Community Church

Love is the doctrine of this church…

Come join us as you travel your journey of faith.

Shifting Sands Support Group Tuesdays at 11:30 am, Thursdays at 3 pm

Gulf of Mexico Drive

58606

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

Publix - CVS

57360

Website: www.AllAngelsLBK.org

58004

383-8161

595 Bay Isles Road

Mediterranean Plaza

Bay Isles Pkwy.

Chris ChurCh

All Angels by the Sea

58649

Betty Blair and Ila Preti check out a photo of sea lions that Lou Newman shot in the Galapagos Islands.

941-778-0414 512 Pine Avenue, Anna Maria www.roserchurch.com

9

14A

longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011

real estate | transactions

Longboat Key’s Fourth of July

By Robin Hartill | Community Editor

freedo m

Lido Beach property sells for $2.55 million

FREEDOM FEST

Anthony and Roxanne Marterie, of San Rafael, Calif., sold Lots 10 and 11 in Block 50 of the John Ringling Estates Inc. Lido Beach Subdivision B, together with a triangular portion of property between the canal and Lots 10 and 11, in addition to a portion of Lot 12, to Donald Garber and Betsy Lembeck, husband and wife, of Montclair, N.J., for $2.55 million. The property description on the deed corresponds to the property at 405 Polk Drive on Lido Key, which has a 3,948-squarefoot home constructed in 2010 with four bedrooms, four-and-a-half bathrooms and a swimming pool. The property sold before the current home was constructed for $365,000 in September 1994.

The sale was the largest of 12 key sales recorded during the shortened week of May 31 through June 3 at the Sarasota and Manatee county courthouses. Of the week’s sales, 10 took place on Longboat Key, including five in Manatee County, and three occurred on Lido Key. Of the week’s sales, two exceeded $1 million, both of which were on Lido Key.

Moms, Dads, Kids, Pets (and Grandparents): It’s time to get ready for The Best Shortest-&-Cutest Patriotic Parade in America!

360 North

Robert and Dawn Derck, of Lititz, Pa., sold Unit 8 at 360 North condominium, 280 N. Shore Road, to Andreas and Kathleen Gocksch, of Centerport, N.Y., for $800,000. Built in 1982, the 2,807-squarefoot unit has three bedrooms and three bathrooms. It last sold for $575,000 in May 1990.

Seaplace

Anna Chrzastowski, of Northbrook, Ill., sold Unit G8-408-B at 1925 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Jeffrey and Linda Steen, of Wilmette, Ill., for $700,000. Built in 1978, the 1,604-square-foot unit has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. It last sold for $555,000 in February 2000.

Casa del Mar

Michael and Diane Mullihan, of New Berlin, Wis., sold Unit 14E at the 106unit Casa del Mar, 4621 Gulf of Mexico Drive, to MARGAMAX LLC, an Illinois limited-liability company with a Bartlett, Ill., address, for $516,000. Built in 1973, the 756-square-foot unit has two bedrooms and two bathrooms. It last sold for $710,000 in June 2008.

File photo

The home at 405 Polk Drive has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half bathrooms, a pool and 3,948 square feet of living area.

Grand Bay

NCK Investors Inc., a Florida corporation with a Cleveland, Ohio, address, sold Unit 644 at 3070 Grand Bay Blvd. in the 272-unit Grand Bay to Franklin Cona, of Bradenton, for $485,000. Built in 1995, the 1,329-square-foot unit has two bedrooms and two bathrooms. It last sold for $314,000 in December 1995.

Sleepy Lagoon

Mark Elston, of Elmhurst, Ill., personal representative of the estate of East Elston, sold the home at 6430 Gulfside Road to Melissa Rodocker and Suzan Stratton for $440,000. Built in 1955 and remodeled in 1970, the 2,680-square-foot home has three bedrooms, four bathrooms and a swimming pool. It last sold for $130,000 in June 1982.

Portobello

Joe and Marilyn McCullar, of Shaker Heights, Ohio, sold Unit A-204 at 3235 Gulf of Mexico Drive in the Gulfside phase of the 74-unit Portobello to Jaylex Properties LLC, a Florida limited-liability company with a Bradenton address, for $420,000.

Built in 1975, the 1,260-square-foot unit has two bedrooms and two bathrooms. It last sold for $500,000 in February 2003.

Visit our website to read more transactions and to see a map. www.YourObserver.com

BUILDING PERMITS These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of June 3 through June 9, in order of dollar amounts. (GMD = Gulf of Mexico Drive)

9 to 11 a.m. • Monday, July 4

Bicentennial Park on Bay Isles Road Decorate your bikes, wagons, pets and faces in patriotic red, white and blue for the annual (12-minute) parade!

• Prizes for best decorations • Butterfly release after the parade • Pancakes, waffles, pastries after the parade • Games for the kids

Sponsors

Watch for more information in The Longboat Observer

58383

The Longboat Observer • Cannons Marina • Town of Longboat Key • Blue Dolphin Cafe • Casa del Mar Hosted by: Longboat Key / Lido Key / St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce

Address Permit Applicant Amount

New 3315 Sabal Cove Drive construction BMPM Sabal Cove LLC $781,074

The Beaches of 775 Longboat Club Road Alteration Longboat Key $113,568.58 5461 GMD Alteration Bret Henricks $77,728.50 601 Longboat Club Road Alteration Frederick Chen $55,373 1211 GMD Alteration Jack Johnson, trustee $55,037.10 4525 GMD Alteration The Castillian condominium $40,504.50 4545 GMD Alteration The Castillian condominium $40,504.50 571 Chipping Lane Alteration Ronald Gricius, trustee $34,000 2020 Harbourside Drive Alteration Christopher McGuigan $25,000 2525 GMD Alteration Jeff Brizzi $24,687.50 1945 GMD Alteration Patricia Lundy, trustee $24,681.40 5921 Emerald Harbor Drive Alteration Angelo Cayo $18,950

Whitney Beach 6701 GMD Alteration Condominium Association $13,940 3540 GMD Alteration Joseph Rizzuto $11,952 553-557 Sutton Place Alteration David Polsey $8,942 1050 Longboat Club Road Alteration Israel Karrel $6,676 572 Lyons Lane Alteration Earle Everton $6,000 727-735 Spanish Drive S. Re-roof Barbara McGloin $5,000 3121 Bayou Sound Alteration Judy Weston, trustee $3,753 834 Jungle Queen Way Alteration Lee Wilkins $2,500 537 Sloop Lane Alteration SRC Industries Inc. $2,169 571 Chipping Lane Alteration Ronald Gricius, trustee $1,771

Certificate of 2741 GMD occupancy David Fried n/a

Neighborhood B U S I N E S S | C L A S S I F I E D S | G A M E S | K E Y L I F E | R E A L E S TAT E | S P O RT S | T R AV E L | W E AT H E R

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011

SERVICES

REAL ESTATE

WEATHER

Find lawn care in The Observer Classifieds.

A Lido beach property sells for $2.55 million.

PAGE 14A.

PAGE 20A.

PAGE 21A.

the heat is on

See this week’s weather photo contest winner.

by Robin Hartill | Community Editor

summer school

Who said the dog days of summer have to be slow? Try these 10 favorite activities on Longboat and its surrounding keys and celebrate summer island-style.

You finally can find that parking space just two-dozen feet away from the Longboat Key Publix entrance. But now, it’s so hot that the perfect parking space has more to do with shade than distance. You don’t have to wait for a table at Blue Dolphin Café. You can find a seat at the bar of Lazy Lobster Longboat Key. But when you leave, you’ll likely get soaked — either by the humidity or an afternoon shower.

Yep, it’s summer on Longboat Key — that time of year when the streets are empty, temperatures go from hot to hotter and residents keep their TVs tuned to the Weather Channel for word on afternoon showers. But while summertime is known as slow season, Longboat Key has plenty of activities — rain or shine.

Take advantage of the lack of crowds and the fact that the sun is (usually) shining during Longboat Key summers — and try out some of our favorite island summer activities.

1

Celebrate America’s birthday Longboat Keystyle. The festivities kick off Saturday, July 2 with a

“Boom Boom on the Bay”

fireworks display at Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub and Moore’s Stonecrab Restaurant.

Then, on Monday, July 4, a “Freedom Fest” parade takes place at 9 a.m. on Bay Isles Road in front of Town Hall. The patriotic parade is billed as the shortest and most charming parade in America. — and it absolutely is. So put on your best red, white and blue garb, decorate your trikes, bikes, wagons and pets and join the parade. Afterward, enjoy a breakfast of waffles and sausage, lots of fun games for the kiddies and a butterfly release.

2

Winters belong to the snowbirds, but during summertime, Longboat Key goes to the turtles.

Turtle-nesting season

begins May 1, and loggerhead turtles typically hatch after a 55- to 60-day incubation period. Two or three days after a nest hatches, volunteers excavate the nests to check for straggling hatchlings and to count the number of eggs that hatch. Longboat Key Turtle Watch is one of the few turtle-watch groups that holds public nest openings, usually during the evenings. The first excavations of the season will most likely occur in late June or early July, so keep an eye on YourObserver.com, where we’ll have the latest information about nest openings. But until the first nest hatches, learn more about turtles by attending a turtle walk led by Mote Marine volunteers beginning at 6:45 a.m. Saturdays, in June and July, at the Hilton Longboat Key Beachfront Resort, 4711 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

4

Joan M. Durante Park, 5550 Gulf of Mexico Drive, is a 32-acre wetland park with lush vegetation and a beautiful view of Sarasota Bay. Take advantage of this local gem by enjoying a picnic under the gazebo. Then, explore the park by walking its nature trail and boardwalk.

Plus, there’s a great playground, so bring the kids and grandkids.

3

Longboat Key’s earliest tourists were Calusa and Timucan Indians.

Pirate Jean La Fitte was once shipwrecked on or near the island for months in 1821. The island was once home to farming, along with John Ringling’s abandoned hotel that was rumored to be haunted. To learn more about Longboat Key’s history, visit the Longboat Key Historical Society Museum, 6826 Gulf of Mexico Drive, where you’ll find old pictures, postcards, books and more.

8

File photos

Stroll St. Armands Circle, where you’ll find world-famous stores and boutiques and a variety of restaurants. And, even if you’re not in the mood to shop, it’s a great place for people-watching and walking. As you stroll, be sure to check out John Ringling’s historic statues along with 21 new statues that were installed in 2008, including the “Seven Virtues of Sarasota.”

5

Longboat Key restaurants are known just as much for their views as they are for their food, so take advantage of the warm weather and savor the delicious views of the Gulf. Waterfront (Gulf and Sarasota Bay), outdoor dining open to the public is available at the following locations: Bayou Tavern, the Chart House Restaurant, Dry Dock Waterfront Grill, Hilton Longboat Key Beachfront Resort, Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub, Moore’s Stone Crab Restaurant and Pattigeorge’s.

6 Bet you didn’t know that seahorses are the only species in which males become pregnant.

That’s one of the many fun facts you can learn at Mote Marine Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway.

Visit the aquarium or check out new programs such as a guided tour of the Seahorse Conservation Lab, which take place at 11 a.m. most Thursdays, or the narrated shark training sessions, offered at 11 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, in which you’ll see staff members feed the sharks. And if you visit at the right time, you might just get a photo-op with Mote mascot Gilly the Shark.

7

Try to spot the green flash — the blink-and-you-miss-it phenomenon that occurs at sunset when a green ray appears to shoot up from the sunset point — while watching the sunset on Longboat Key’s Gulf beaches.

David Miller, who grew up on the island and estimates he has seen the green flash a half-dozen times, summarizes his advice for witnessing the phenomenon in a single word: “patience.”

But even if you don’t catch the green flash, rest assured that any sunset on Longboat Key is nothing short of spectacular.

9

Check out the Longboat Key Garden Club’s Butterfly Garden at Bicentennial Park, located just outside of Longboat Key Town Hall. It’s home to a new butterfly house, along with plants that draw the winged wonders, creating a peaceful up-close experience with nature. Another bonus: It’s shady and cool.

10

There are plenty of fish in the sea on Longboat Key. According to Key fishing enthusiast Rusty Chinnis, tarpon, trout, red fish and snook are in season during the summer. (Although snook season is currently closed, catching and releasing snook is permitted.) Chinnis said that any of these fish are easily caught along Longboat Key beaches with grass flats or near structures such as docks. But be warned: You might get hooked.

If you must go…

We have one final suggestion for what you should do before leaving Longboat Key. As you’re packing your suitcase, place a copy of the Longboat Observer, along with your camera inside. Take a picture with your newspaper at your vacation spot. Then, go to YourObserver.com to enter our “It’s Read Everywhere” contest.

16A

longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011

REAL-ESTATE SNAPSHOT

Bruce A. Myer

May sales summary

941.387.1859 BruceMyer.com

The following is a summary of key residential real-estate sales recorded for the month of May at the Sarasota and Manatee county courthouses. Data from May 2010 is also listed for comparison.

Selling Luxury Real Estate for over 30 years!

Rated in the Top 100 agents in Florida!

JUST LISTED!

BIRD KEY Luxurious 3BR/3.5BA home with REGENT PLACE Direct Gulf front 3BR/3.5BA upper over 4,600 sq. ft. on the water. $2,895,000 floor home with over 3,500 sf $2,895,000

THE SHORE - 3BR/3BA ground floor condo tastefully updated. Large water views. $699,000

JUST REDUCED!

The home at 6477 Gulfside Road sold for $4.8 million last month.

QUEENS HARBOUR - 4BR+Den/3.5BA home with COUNTRY CLUB SHORES 3BR/3BA Canal front beautiful bay views and private dock. $2,395,000 home w/large caged lanai & pool $849,000

BEACHPLACE 2BR/2BA 2nd Floor

$429,000

VIEW ALL OUR LISTINGS at LONGBOATKEYFORSALE

LidO/St. Armands Key

Condominiums

Condominiums

2011 Total: 44 High: $2,475,000 Low: $257,500 Median: $475,000 2010 Total: 29 High: $2.25 million Low: $155,000 Median: $510,000

Information compiled by Robin Hartill

WATER CLUB 2-3BR/3BA Furnished Penthouse with bay/gulf views. $1,395,000

Longboat Key

SEA GATE Crisp and bright 2BR/2BA Gulf front INN ON THE BEACH Club Suite Bld. 4 offering a condo w/expansive water views $649,000 great income opportunity $429,500

COUNTRY CLUB SHORES 3BR/4BA Exquisite home SUNRISE SHORES - Furnished 2BR + Den/2BA PIERRE- 3BR/3BA Two terraces and Gulf views Offered at $799,000 $349,000 on canal with many upgrades. $1,499,000 with bay views.

In the last year I have successfully listed over 1/2 of the sales that took pace in Fairway Bay!

Single-family homes

2011 Total: 15 High: $2,873,900 Low: $176,500 Median: $440,000 2010 Total: 12 High: $2.65 million Low: $171,250 Median: $529,000

2011 Total: 12 High: $4.8 million Low: $290,000 Median: $700,000

Bird Key

2010 Total: Six High: $3.3 million Low: $330,000 Median: $778,500

2011 Total: Six High: $1.85 million Low: $495,000 Median: $1.2 million

Single-family homes 2011 Total: Five High: $2.8 million Low: $580,000 Median: $1.45 million 2010 Total: Four High: $4.95 million Low: $225,000 Median: $2,525,000

2010 Total: Three High: $1,595,000 Low: $590,000 Median: $712,500

Cathy C. Meldahl P.A.

FAIRWAY BAY - 2BR/2.5BA 2-story condo with FAIRWAY BAY - Partially furnished and upboat dock. $449,000 dated with great bay views. $329,000

3174 3174 Gulf Gulf of of Mexico Mexico Dr. Dr. Longboat Longboat Key, Key, FL FL 34228 24228

LIDO BEACH CLUB - Furnished 2BR/2BA, 10th CLUB LONGBOAT - Furnished 3BR/2BA tennis $445,000 floor condo with Gulf view. $699,900 player’s haven on the Gulf!

INN ON THE BEACH Club Suite Bld. 2 offering a great income opportunity $429,500

I HAVE CLOSED 23 SUCCESSFUL TRANSACTIONS IN 2011 AND HAVE 7 PENDING CLOSINGS!

Visit our website: BruceMyer.com

Bruce A. Myer

DIRECT: 941-387-1847 CELL: 941-376-5311 EMAIL: Bruce@BruceMyer.com Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate 201 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Ste. 1 Longboat Key At the Charthouse

Michael Saunders & Company Licensed Real Estate Broker Licensed Real Estate Broker

941.383.5502 941.383.5502 or or 941.724.7228 941.724.7228 CathyMeldahl@michaelsaunders.com CathyMeldahl@michaelsaunders.com

Longboat Key SLEEPY LAGOON ON SAILBOAT WATER - 4 bedrooms plus office, pool, dock lift. All set amidst tropical landscaping. .....................................................................................................................................................$885,000 GULF FRONT - Wonderful 5 bedroom, 5 bath home on 1.2 acres with 44 ft. beach side lap pool. Other features include a kitchen with stainless appliances, 4 car garage and abundant fruit trees. ...........................FURNISHED $4,995,000 HARBOUR LINKS - An awesome lifestyle awaits you in this corner villa with 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, a den and a 2 car garage, located on the Harbourside Golf course at the Longboat Key Club. The community is pet friendly and offers Beach Club membership. . ................................................................................................................................FURNISHED $409,000 YOU WILL ENJOY BAY & MARINA VIEWS from the living room, master bedroom & the screened porch of this 2/2 condo located at the south end of LBK. The community offers a heated pool, boat docks, fitness facility. Furnished...........$339,000 BANYAN BAY - Beach to Bay complex. This charming 2 bedroom condo is designed for seaside living. Tennis, pool, fishing pier. Pet Friendly................................................................................................................................................................$269,900 BAY HARBOUR - South end of LBK, 2/2 expertly renovated w/ direct bay and marina views. Amenities include boat docks, fishing pier heated pool. ................................................................................................................PENDING $395,000 LBK 2 bedroom and a den Village home - lovely treed lot - close to beach and bay.......................................... $489,000 WHITNEY BEACH - BEACH TO BAY - 1/1 in desirable community with boat docks, fishing pier, tennis courts, and a wonderful walking beach. 2 pets allowed.................................. PENDING................................FURNISHED $199,000 UNIqUE 1 bedroom, 2 bath ground floor at Whitney Beach. Great amenities. 2 Pets allowed. FURNISHED $199,500 WINDWARD BAY - Sunrise, sunset! You’ll enjoy both from 2/2 renovated residence with unobstructed bay views.

The community offers 2 pools, tennis courts, fitness facility, and boat docks. ......................PENDING..............$399,000 BOBBIE BANAN, REALTOR® 356-2659 • 383-2659

bobbiebanan@michaelsaunders.com

Michael Saunders & Company 58224

Licensed Real Estate Broker

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

58594

FAIRWAY BAY - 3BR/2BA with oversized garage and 3 terraces. $499,000

Fantastic price and fantastic water views from this updated 2BR/2BA penthouse.

Turnkey furnished, lots of storage, under bldg parking, beach access, pools, sauna, exercise room, tennis courts, boat docks. $289,000

58593

WINDWARD BAY

Ambassador’s Circle

longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011

17A

You may not know what you’re looking for, it. but now you know where to

find

To be notified of special events and open houses, we invite you to join our private registry at SignatureSIR.com

4317 Midnight Pass Road Award Winning Contemporary Siesta Key Residence located on sailboat water on the Cocoanut Bayou. Inspired by the owners and designed by renowned architect Mark Sultana, the house was 2009 Home Of The Year Gold Winner for SRQ Magazine and is Florida Green Certified. This modern masterpiece is structured around a steel and glass staircase that travels through the core of the house to the rooftop deck which overlooks Siesta Key, The Gulf, and Downtown Sarasota. $5,999,999 Linda Sloan 941.650.8906

415 L’Ambiance Drive, C303 Cheryl Loeffler

$1,790,000 941.302.9674

136 Golden Gate Point, 602 Thomas Netzel

$1,695,000 941.308.1083

6424 Gulf Drive, 7 Terry Hayes

$1,399,999 941.302.3100

1111 Ritz Carlton Drive, 1404 Fernando Viteri

$1,250,000 941.400.7676

650 Golden Gate Point, 303 Craig Cerreta

$829,000 941.993.2502

519 Fernwalk Lane Joel Schemmel

$695,000 941.587.4894

490 S Gulf Boulevard Stephen L. Lingley & Melissa Caldwell

1145 Gulf of Mexico Drive, 202 Cheryl Loeffler

$695,000 941.302.9674

5070 Windward Avenue Roberta Tengerdy

$685,000 941.321.2292

5770 Midnight Pass Road, 201C Joel Schemmel

$679,000 941.587.4894

10509 Firestone Drive Charles Totonis

$674,900 941.524.8299

2016 Harbourside Drive, 314 Sheldon Paley

$650,000 941.356.1857

202 75th Street, B Terry Hayes

$599,000 941.302.3100

941.364.4000

$1,945,000 941.812.7438

877.317.7003

SignatureSIR.com

©MMX Signature Sotheby’s International Realty, licensed real estate broker. ®,™ and SM are licensed trademarks to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.

To preview open house selections from your phone, scan this code.

51204

1727 Bahia Vista Street Cindy Migone

$1,995,000 941.809.7580

longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011

GEENNTT I INN SSAALLEESS VV O O LL U U ME E ### 1 11AAA G E N T and I NManatee S A LCounties E S VinO2009 L UM ME forG Sarasota

real estate reports

TOP SALES ASSOCIATE forfor Sarasota and Manatee Counties Sarasota and Manatee Countiesinin2009 2009

#1 COLDWELL BANKER AGENT

Ranked the top # 1# 1C C OO LL D WWE E LL Lin EERRofAAGGEENNTT D LB BA AN NKK1% in Florida for 2009 Florida for2009 2009 Worldwide in in Florida for Coldwell Banker Associates

By Robin Hartill | Community Editor

Ackerman Ackerman Ackerman

BARBARA BBAARRBBAARRAA

+ Timothy Field elected to ITNSarasota board

REALTOR®

REALTOR ® REALTOR

The name to know in real estate The nam e to know in real estate www.barbaraackerman.com The name to know in real estate www.barbaraackerman.com NEW NEW www.barbaraackerman.com LI LI

®

As seen on Sarasota’s

“Hot ProPerties”

Segment Every Other Wednesday!

NEW

STI

STI www.barbaraackerman.com N G

NG

Bay Harbour – Longboat Key Bay Front Promenade - Penthouse Enchanting 3BR Developers corner apartment Sweeping Gulf and Bay views with sunsets. 2,612 with Bay views & 2 enclosed lanais for extra a/c luxurious sq. ft. w/ 10 ft ceilings, fireplace, wet bar, square footage. Fresh paint, new carpet, washer granite & marble baths, 2 terraces, & 2 valuable & dryer in unit and excellent amenities! garage parking spaces included. $ 349,000

Bird Key – Bay & City Views

TIN

949,000

$

NEW G

PRI

CE

La Firenza - Direct Beach Front

Sea Gate Club - Direct Gulf Front Floor-to-ceiling glass frames the Beach and Sunsets from every room in this 1,470 SF 2BR/2BA with higher ceilings, wood floors and 2 terraces. Great amenities and on-site management. Walk $ to shopping.

579,000 $549,000

Longboat Key – Direct Beach Front “The Johnson Estate” Gated privacy on 2+ acres w/ 150 ft. of Gulf front. 10,000 SF. 7BR/6.5BA includes separate attached guest wing. New in ‘07. $ 11,500,000 www.Johnsonestatelongboatkey.com

Water Club I - Gulf & Bay Views

Stunning sunsets over the Gulf and partial Bay views from this SW corner 3,521 SF apartment with varying 11 & 12 ft ceilings. Spacious floor plan with 3BR+ family room and den/3.5 BA, full bar and summer kitchen. $ 3,500,000 $ 4,950,000 Oversized private 2-car garage.

Gorgeous two-story home on 213’ of waterfront with wide open City, Bay and canal views. 4BR/5 full & 2 half baths, Infinity edge pool & boat dock with 20,000 lb lift.

G

Remodeled 3BR/2BA home with water on three sides! Spacious floor plan with 2,688 square feet, waterfront lap pool, private dock w/ lift and 2-car garage.

999,000

LIS

TIN

KEY ROYALE – Anna Maria Waterfront

$

NEW

LIS

121OPEN H Sat9 Wes OUSE & S twa un 1 y Dr -4

Lido Shores - Direct Gulf Front Palazzo Combines 200 ft. of seawalled Gulf front with private Dock and Beach access. This 7,415 SF residence built in 2003 has 5BR/8BA, exercise room, his and her bath & studies, 50 ft pool/spa & 5-car garage.$8,900,000

Timothy “Tim” Field, broker associate with Michael Saunders & Co., was recently elected to the board of directors of the Independent Transportation Network of Sarasota County (ITNSarasota), a non-profit membership organization that provides rides for seniors over 60 and adults with visual impairment.

Field moved Field with his family in 1952 to Sarasota.

His career has included managing the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort; opening the Contemporary Hotel-Walt Disney World; managing Arvida’s Longboat Key Golf Club; planning the Inn on the Beach development; and developing waterfront homes, condominiums and commercial property on Longboat Key. He managed Arvida Realty sales in the mid-1990s and rejoined Michael Saunders & Co. in 2003 to develop the company’s international division.

“Tim Field brings a wealth of expertise in so many areas,” said ITNSarasota Board Chairman Arthur Mahoney in a prepared statement.

“This combined with his commitment to ensure that all seniors have an opportunity to live a dignified and independent lifestyle makes him a fantastic addition to our ITN team.”

5360 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Suite 101, Longboat Key

Call 941-383-5577 or visit www.wagnerrealty.com

6th floor 3 bedroom, 3 full bath apartment with beautiful water views, private elevator, 10 foot ceilings and two expansive terraces for viewing nightly sunsets. Gated community with excellent $ amenities.

1,599,000

BETTER THAN NEW

Complete remodel, new A/C & heat, stove, blinds, tile, carpet & granite just to name a few. 2BR/2BA in one of the finest coastal communities in the Sarasota-Bradenton area. Curt Bell #M5818807

RED ROCK TERRACE - Oyster Bay Vacant Lot Lot w/ House Plans GRAND BAY II - Bay & City Views 4th Floor 3BR/3BA 2,781 Sq. Ft.

$439,000

$234,900

$1,395,000

SHORT STORIES: LOCATED ON NORTH LONGBOAT KEY

BEACHPLACE III – Direct Gulf Front #302 3rd Floor 2BR/2BA 1,392 Sq. Ft.

$670,000

Longboat Key – Boater’s Fantasy 3,435 SF home with 114 feet of DEEP water frontage!

Extra large rooms, with living area on one level and tons of ground floor play space. Covered 45x20 slip and Jet $ Ski dock included.

995,000

BEACHPLACE III - Direct Gulf Front #304 3rd Floor 2BR/2BA 1,503 Sq. Ft.

$695,000

LA BELLASARA - Bay, Marina & City Views 6th Floor 3BR+ Study/4.5BA 3,370 Sq. Ft.

$2,395,000

58307

18A

Bird Key - Wide Open Bay Front

Stunning Bay views from this fully renovated contemporary 2-story home on fabulous Bird Key. 3 BR + large office/4th BR, 4.5 baths, family room, private dock with boat lift &2-car garage. $2,195,000

100’x100’ lot on a canal.

Plans for 2,500 sq. ft. house to build your dream home.

Quiet neighborhood 2 blocks to the beach, fish out your back door. Jerry Cunningham $243,361 #A3944283

ENJOY THE WATER VIEWS

from this 2BR/2BA turnkey furnished condo. Updated kitchen, W/D, newer air, 2 pools, 2 tennis courts, 2 marinas, beach access, only $12 a month for boat slip. Dorothy Cook #A3939881 $250,000

Water Club I - Direct Beach Front Exquisite 3,045 SF luxury on 5th floor w/Gulf views, private elevator foyer, 3BR/4BA, study area in master suite. Beautiful window treatments, plantation shutters, marble floors, full wine bar. $ 1,800,000

Sanctuary III - Behind the Gates Desirable 5th floor Southeast corner 3BR/2.5 BA with wide open Bay, City, and LBK Club Golf Course views.

3rd bedroom doubles as a den with quality built-in’s and renovated kitchen has granite, wood and newer $ 799,900 appliances.

La Bellasara – Golden Gate Point

Sparkling water views from this amazing 5,585SF Penthouse apartment with 4BR/5BA, private his & hers studies, wine cellar & separate tasting area, media room and large terrace overlooking the Bay and downtown.

Private boat dock & 2 car garage. $5,950,000

452OPEN 0 H Sat WoodOUSE & S sid un 1 e Rd -4

Incredible opportunity to own 2 adjoining lots west of Gulf of Mexico Drive. Conrad Beach boasts timeless architecture, community pool & clubhouse.

Purchase separately or with M5815731. Peter Uliano $260,000 #M5815734

OLDFLORIDA/CORTEZ WATERFRONT HOME

Bayport- Sporting Community

Beach retreat that lives like a home. Beautifully & freshly remodeled, 3 full BR with sitting areas, and loads of storage, 2 private patios, his/her bath $ areas. Steps to private beach.

649,900

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, LLC 941-387-1820 Direct

●

●

3BR/2BA with bonus room, sun deck & 150FT dock on the Bay. Mature landscaping. SEPARATE studio in back. DIRECT Bay view. One of a kind. Must see!

Debra Ibasfalean #M5814790

Pierre – Spectacular Views

Gulf, Golf Course, Sarasota Bay, & downtown city lights views from this 2BR + den/3rd BR apartment on the 8th floor with 3 full bathrooms and 2,410 sq. ft. Behind the gates of the Longboat Key Club. $ 1,095,000

201 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite #1, Longboat Key

800-910-8728 Toll-Free

All of Barbara’s listings are linked Internationally in 13 languages.

58218

Siestas Bayside – Deep Water Canal Gorgeous waterfront home fully updated with wood & granite throughout, 2,641 square feet, three bedrooms/ two baths and a large tropical patio area with pool/spa, boat dock with lift and floating jet-ski dock. $918,000 $849,900

CONRAD BEACH

$495,000

GULF FRONT PENTHOUSE LONGBOAT KEY

2BR/2BA totally renovated, tropical gardens, upgrades too numerous to mention. Heated pool & spa, only 53 residences in this well maintained complex. Pets welcome. Marc Turner #A3943874 $629,500

longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011

CAMP CHAMPS

by Rachel S. O’Hara | Staff Photographer

games | deal us in

by Donna Swan | Contributing Writer

A gutsy partner makes a jump bid

Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

Kristina Kuklova gets ready to drop a ball for Lila Tack, 4, to hit.

Key Club offers summer fun for kids School is out for summer, but there is still a lot to learn. Longboat Key Club’s tennis camp and sports camp are both under way and started up Monday, June 6, at Longboat Key Club’s Tennis Gardens. Both camps enjoyed their mornings on

Chanel Glasper and Averie Robinson, 9

the tennis courts before going inside for a break from the heat and to enjoy some lunch. After their break, the tennis camp headed back to the courts, while the sports camp kids made their way over to the fairways to play some golf.

Kerry Lum, 7, reaches for a high volley.

Laura D. Hansen, 41 Year Resident of Longboat Key

Bunny Roland, of Bellaire, Mich., sent this hand and writes, “My partner tends to be over-confident regarding my play of a hand. Not only did he make a jump bid with only one ace and two kings, he went on to Blackwood even though I had shown only a minimum opening bid.”

“West led the fourth-best of his partner’s suit. East won the ace and shifted to a heart, and I didn’t like my chances. I knew that East likely had the king of diamonds, so it seemed that the slam would fail.

“I won the trump in my hand and led the Jack of diamonds to tempt a cover in case West had the king, but when the king did not fall, I played the ace from the dummy. I led a low diamond from the dummy, hoping it would look like I would ruff the king. East followed low and I won in my hand with the 10, ruffed a spade in the dummy and ran the trump and the king of spades.

“All hands were reduced to two cards.

I had the ace and queen of clubs in the dummy and the nine of diamonds and a club in my hand. East was in an uncomfortable predicament. He had to keep the king of diamonds to protect against my nine and the guarded king of clubs to prevent my queen in the dummy from becoming a trick.

“East decided to bare his king of clubs, in the hope that I would take the club finesse. I played a club to the ace and claimed my slam.”

Amazing. Good job, Bunny.

19A

BRIDGE HAND Dealer: North

Vulnerable: Neither

North

West

♠ 9752 ♥ 62 ♦ 532 ♣8652

Bidding: North 1 ♦ 4 ♥ 5 ♥ Pass

♠3 ♥ J 10 8 7 ♦ AQ64 East ♣ A Q 10 3 ♠ A Q J 10 8 ♥5 ♦ K87 South ♣KJ94 ♠ A5 ♥ KJ864 ♦ J 10 9 ♣ 7 East 1 ♠ Pass Pass Pass

Opening Lead: 2

South 3 ♥ 4NT 6 ♥

West Pass Pass Pass

♠

observerSudoku Edited by The Mepham Group

Solve the puzzle by placing the numbers 1 through 9 in each row, column and box. See answers on page 21A. © Tribune Media Services

Donna Swan is a resident of Longboat Key, an ardent bridge player and an American Contract Bridge League certified director who plays “for the fun of it.”

GRI

941-383-8273

lhansen44@comcast.net or laurahansen@michaelsaunders.com

$398,000 REDUCTION

Michael Saunders & Company

MOULTOn Certified Residential Specialist

Michael Saunders & Company Licensed Real Estate Broker

52428

4BR/3.5BA in gated Landings. New kitchen and luxurious master suite, all mahogany library, bonus recreation room, hurricane protection, large pool, lushly landscaped. $997,000

MIChAeL

Licensed Real Estate Broker

440 Gulf of Mexico Drive, 941-383-7591

Talk to Tina Today - Longboat Key’s International Connection

WHITNEY BEACH GULF & BAYSIDE OPPORTUNITIES Immaculate 2BR/2BA offering Gulf peeks & pool views ......... REDUCED $274,000 Updated 2BR/2BA ground floor end unit overlooking canal .............. $275,000 Serene Bayou views from updated 2BR/2BA ........................... REDUCED $299,000 Spacious ground level 1BR/2BA with Gulf views .................................. $425,000 Incredible value & views! Inviting & updated 2BR/2BA ....................... $475,000 Contemporary & stylish 1BR/1BA w/ gorgeous Gulf views ................$499,000

en PROVenCe - Exquisite 3BR gulf front furnished condo that feels like a private home on the beach. A3929322 $2,450,000

WATeR CLUB - Coveted southern exposure on the 7th floor elegantly furnished. A3919693 $2,495,000

Longboat Key Realty

www.engelvoelkers.com/longboatkey

Looking for RESULTS? Sarasota’s Legendary

Grande Dame of Real Estate

COUnTRY CLUB ShOReS – New construction 4BR canal front home. A3929970 $995,000

LOnGBOAT VILLAGe - Key West style home overlooking intracoastal waterway. A3934895 $775,000

VIZCAYA - Tropical paradise spacious gulf condominium with private pool & covered 1,200SF terrace. A344892 $2,725,000

UnbELiEvabLE 37 Years of Expertise UnpaRaLLELEd Service UnRivaLEd Results 941.284.7373

SARABAnDe PenThOUSe - Come view this spacious 3 bedroom condo in the premier bay front building. A3940572 $2,175,000

58611

annetterogers@michaelsaunders.com

VILLA DI LAnCIA - Designer furnished 3BR condo w/staircase from your terrace to the pool & beach. A3921064 $1,575,000

440 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228 Office 941.383.7591 | Mobile 941.928.3559 | SarasotasFinestProperties.com

57836

58592

6000 Marina Drive Holmes Beach, FL 34217

Tina Rudek • 941-920-0303 • Tina@LBKRealEstate.com

20A

longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011

Sunrise/sunset

RAINFALL

Mon., June 6 Tues., June 7 Wed., June 8 Thurs., June 9 Fri., June 10 Sat., June 11 Sun., June 12

North 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00

Mid 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Month to date: 2011

0.00 in Year-to-date:

South 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Sunrise

2010 0.48 in.

2011 2010 16.30 in. 11.57 in.

Sunset

Thurs., June 16 6:35

8:27

Fri., June 17

6:35

8:28

Sat., June 18

6:36

8:28

Sun., June 19

6:36

8:28

Mon., June 20

6:36

8:28

Tues., June 21

6:36

8:29

Wed., June 22

6:36

8:29

WEEKLY WINNEr: BIRD’S-EYE VIEW PHOTO CONTEST: Enter your local sunset, sunrise or weather-related photos for The Observer’s weatherphoto contest, sponsored by Cool Today.

Please include where you took the photo when submitting photos, as well as your mailing address. Each week’s winner will receive a $50 restaurant gift card. Please send your photos to the Longboat Observer, 5570 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, Fla., 34228, or email them to nschwartz@yourobserver.com.

TemperatureS

Temps.

High Low 90 73.5 93 74 92 75.5 90 72 93 76 91.5 75.5 91 75.5

Tues., June 7 Wed., June 8 Thurs., June 9 Fri., June 10 Sat., June 11 Sun., June 12 Mon., June 13

Record Temps.

High Low 97 (1984) 67 (1992) 98 (1981) 70 (2002) 96 (1983) 68 (1991) 96 (1985) 68 (1991) 96 (1983) 67 (1987) 97 (1984) 67 (1981) 98 (1981) 71 (1987)

Average Gulf water temperature: 84.4

TIDE CHART Thurs., June 16

Highs

12:06p

—

Lows

8:53p

Visit YourObserver. com to click on our interactive weather button, which features current weather conditions, weather radar and a five-day forecast.

—

Fri., June 17

3:49a 12:50p

6:30a 9:32p

Sat., June 18

4:15a

1:35p

7:29a 10:08p

Sun., June 19

4:38a

2:21p

8:34a 10:43p

Mon., June 20

5:03a

3:11p

9:46a 11:18p

Tues., June 21

5:31a

4:09p

11:04a 11:53p

Wed., June 22

6:01a

5:20p

12:27p

—

June 23 Last

July 8 First

July 1 New

July 15 Full

Rita Mangione submitted this sunset photo, taken on Anna Maria Island.

58466

MOON PHASES

T H E O B S E R V E R C R O S S WO R D Edited by Timothy E. Parker

HIddEn PEAR- LS by wilbur Pomett

1 8 13 18 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 33 36 37 39 41 43 44 45 48 51 52 53 55 56 57 58

C R Y P T O G R A M S by Myles Mellor 1. S M C V J S

LNLBEJSQNW

ONBEZ

C F L E N Z C Y M N V S E T.

VJSY MJIC UCCW BYCZ QW YN KJWT CFLCVQKCWSY SMJS SMCT MJIC UCONKC QKKBWC SN JEE ZQYCJYC. 2. G B N S H E S K D Z D P X K A X S M L D X Z Y B N D P L S D L U S M E D UXRS KGHE: PDZSO KGZ’Y VCO EGLLXZSHH VCY XY HCNS PGRSH PXHSNO SGHXSN YD UXAS MXYE.

60 61 63 64 65 66

70 Like cereal in milk, prime minister after a time Lester State in Germany 73 Non-Rx Admit, as to a bus dOwn 74 Cut with a surgical Dreadful feeling 1 Place to sleep beam Periodic table 2 ___ Baba 75 Louisiana components 3 Where a fob is kept marshland Red color 4 Asian nanny 78 Shrek, for one Jigsaw-puzzle part 5 Lie comfortably 79 They treat athletic It may end with a 6 Enter, as data injuries “Poof!”

7 Nibbled on 81 Pay-___-view “Bennie and the 8 Lost love in Poe’s 82 Rub the wrong way Jets” singer John “The Raven” 84 Mere commoner You of yesteryear 9 Part of a joule 85 Kind of viper or owl Prefix meaning “on 10 Pageant prize 86 Chicken ___ the left” 11 Coveted Hollywood (childhood affliction) The ___ Pack statuette 87 Jessica of “Fantastic (Sammy Davis Jr.’s 12 Vex Four” group) 13 Breast-beating 88 Long black Cadillac, “Why, certainly!” mammal often Continuity problem 14 E Street Band 90 “___ the season to Furniture finisher guitarist Lofgren be jolly” “King of the Hill” 15 Rise and shine at 91 “Way” or “wife” town dawn beginning Animal friend 16 Catch a touchdown 92 Night-sky light Cut off from 17 Palindromic 93 Title in old India everyone else principle 95 “Mutiny on the Between good and 19 Prominent, as a Bounty” isle best feature 98 British Gold Coast, Napoleon’s fate 20 Musk-secreting today Mineral that forms mammal 99 “Honest” president in sheets 23 Monopoly income Lincoln Parker’s rank on sources 101 Susan’s “All My “McHale’s Navy” 29 Street urchin Children” role (Abbr.)

30 Dresses with a flare 104 Zinc ___ (fertilizer Highest card in a 32 Crosswise, ingredient) suit nautically 106 Tennis court divider Easily flexed 34 More than suspend, Like a squid’s squirt 107 Captain Kirk’s as from school records Back muscle, briefly 35 Diddly-squat 109 Red or White Hypnotized state 38 “No” vote baseball team Cheese from France 40 Steakhouse 110 “Not guilty,” for one Formerly, on the specification 111 Moranis of wedding page 42 Lady on U.S. coins “Ghostbusters” Lower, as the lights 46 Go house-to-house Like some guidance 113 Letter-ending word for votes 115 Opera by Bizet or discretion 47 Unabridged 120 “It’s the Hard-Knock Place associated 49 Bird beaks Life” musical with 41-Across 121 Archaeologist’s finds 50 Animal milk source Steady look 52 Property claim 122 Master of seduction BMW alternative 53 Almost got an 123 Stops introducing Diesel of films inside-the-park evidence Romantic homer 124 First occurrence, as rendezvous 54 “___ Buy Me Love” of a symptom Painter of expansive (Beatles) 125 Former Canadian scenery

ACROSS

57 Cart 58 “Turandot” composer 59 Dentists’ org.

62 High school math course 63 Make ___ (begin) 65 Autocrat until 1917 67 Stella ___ (cookie brand) 68 “In one ___ and out the other” 69 Wild mountain goat 70 Future jr.

71 Undress with one’s eyes 72 Auto mechanics’ lubricators 76 Crude ships?

77 Suave and polished 79 “A League of ___ Own” (1992 film) 80 Treetop construction 81 Lecture hall platforms 83 Gold measurement 86 Hidden hazard 87 Smokestack emission 89 Seashell seller in a tongue twister 91 One running 5,280 feet 94 Informal eatery 96 Distinct feature 97 Maui dances 98 Hired Japanese companion 99 Place to exchange vows 100 Wind-___ (carried by a breeze) 102 Borat’s creator 103 Skating leaps 105 Overused, as a phrase 108 Use a letter opener 112 Scorch 114 Agreeable reply 116 Round dessert 117 Beau Brummell 118 ___ de Janeiro 119 Mama’s boy?

Last weeks Cryptograms 1. The cynical philosophy of a sluggish office worker: “Kid, never put off ’til tomorrow what you can manage to avoid altogether.”

2. Is there anyone who gets why there are interstate highways in Hawaii?

Thursday, June 16, 2011 Items Under $200 For Sale

General Merchandise

Condos For Sale

ADVERTISE YOUR merchandise with the total value of $200 or less in this section for FREE! Limit 1 ad per month, 15 words or less. Price must be included. No commercial advertising. Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks.

Email ad to: classified@yourobserver.com or online at: www.yourobserver.com/classifieds

THRIFT SHOP: LORD’S WAREHOUSE. Hours: Summer Schedule: Tues. & Sat. 9a.m. to 1p.m. Non-profit. Clothes, jewelry, furniture, other items. 6140 Gulf of Mexico Drive. 941-383-4738.

DISCOVER THE OTHER ISLAND. Tidy Island in Sarasota Bay. Waterfront 3/2/2 condo on private Island. Views of lake, bay & preserve. Former model, sold furnished! $249,900. Katharine Pepper, RoseBay Real Estate 941-792-9459.

OFFICE CHAIRS: matching highback that adjust, including 2 chair mats. Excellent cond., $200. 941-388-0007.

Autos Wanted AUTOS WANTED! Let me take the hassle out of selling your car. Cash offered today!

Call Mike, 941-713-2277.

Boat Slips For Rent/Sale BOAT SLIP. High and dry, indoor, for sale or lease. Southend of LBK at the Boathouse.

Owner financing available. For info call 941-544-5597.

BOATHOUSE LBK: 32/ft. boat slip for sale.

Fully enclosed, top level. 941-383-6748 or 941-587-5896.

Boats BOATS ARE SELLING VERY WELL “Big or Small, I sell them all.” Let’s Talk about selling your boat. Islands Resident 15 years, references. Dave, 941-228-3489.

Yachtingflorida@aol.com

Furnishings LAKEWOOD RANCH ESTATEAluminum 5-piece patio (cost $1700Restoration Hardware) now $699; Sofa & loveseat (Robb & Stucky) like new $850.

Henredon and Drexel bedroom sets, Stearns & Foster Beds, Stiffe lamps, Stanley Entertainment Center for plasma/LCD ($350@Robb &Stucky) $995.

5-piece Cherry Home Office w/2-lateral files, La-Z-Boy sleeper, much, much, more.

Manatee Furniture

3015 1st St. Bradenton, 10 Blocks north of DeSoto mall on US Hwy 41.

941-745-2596

Garage/Moving/Estate Sales   FLEA MARKET. Sarasota Municipal Auditorium. Saturday, June 18, 10a.m.-5p.m. & Sunday, June 19, 10a.m.-4p.m. For info: 954-4165.

THE OBSERVER LP # 56736

Auctions

Riverfront Condo with dock at your back door! Central Sarasota Location $320,000

June 25, 11a.m.

Pool home on 3/10 acre next to Ringling School, 5337 Stevens Dr., Sarasota.

Office Open 7 Days, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

4621 Gulf of Mexico Drive Longboat Key 34228

For pictures & More Information, www.afraac.com

Ab923 941-746-5355 Au1333

2BR/2.5BA with 2 car garage, 1583 SF Walk off your deck & onto your boat!

Direct access to ICW. Impeccable property, perfect condition. Priced to sell fast.

Harold Lasky 941-780-8514

10% Buyer’s Premium for cash or local checks,

Prudential Lakewood Ranch

13% with VISA, MC or Discover

HaroldLasky@gmail.com

Auctions

Homes For Sale

BANK ORDERED Auction!!

Heavy Equipment, Autos, Boats, RV's, jewelry, guns Plus MUCH MUCH MORE! TOO Many Items to List!!, W W W. A u c t i o n s u n l i m i t e d o n l i n e . c o m au2594

Recreation FREE STAND Up Paddle Board Lessons.

Fastest growing sport on water. Free lesson and 1hour Board Rental $35.00. Best deal around. Everyday at Bird Key Park, 11AM. MUST BOOK IN ADVANCE www.ikayaksarasota.com ,941-302-2677

Storage STORAGE FACILITY Boat/ RV/ Trailer.

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

ISLAND COTTAGE- 3 bed/ 2 bath home for sale, 601 St. Judes Dr. Longboat Key. Appox. 1400 sq ft. $285.000. 941-387-0136

Real Estate Wanted LUXURY ANNUAL RENTALS WANTED for waiting clients. Furnished or unfurnished.

941-356-5610 or 941-358-7401

Vacation/Seasonal Rentals

Positions Wanted MARINE CORPS mom seeks employment.

Diversified background. Prior military service. 941-773-7731.

3BR, UPDATED, TASTEFULLY DECORATED. GULF & BAY VIEWS. AVAILABLE IN SEASON & ANNUAL

BEACH-TO-BAY CONDO at Bayport BTC. First floor, end unit. Newly decorated 2 bed/2 bath. Free local phone, cable and wireless Internet. Pictures and details: www.bayportbtc.com. Contact owner at 615-376-9448 GULF, BEACHFRONT: 2BR/2BA, lanai, W/D, pool. Pet okay. $1800/mo. O/B/O. 760-944-1124, debbieschaefer@msn.com or www.5201gulfofmexicodrive.com

Condos For Sale BOTTONWOOD COVE, LBK- Beach to Bay Complex. 3BR/2BA, 1700 sq. ft. includes 2 lanai’s. Furnished, granite kitchen, all new appliances & AC. Boat slips, pool and tennis. $429,000. Steve or Craig Abbott, Michael Saunders & Company. 941-374-3003

WASHER/ DRYER IN EVERY UNIT BEAUTIFUL KITCHENS LARGE HEATED POOL GULFSIDE FREE Wireless High Speed Internet

“Where People Return Year After Year” “INTENTIONALLY BETTER”

DIRECT GULFFRONT 4BR/4.5BA +den, 3 car garage, pool/ spa, elevator, security.

Immaculate 2005 Mediterranean style architecture with breathtaking Gulf views.

5,146 sq.ft. under roof on N. Anna Maria, 12106 Gulf Drive. $3,400,000 furnished.

Contact Owner/ Broker, 941-920-1699.

BEACHPLACE

Condos/Apts. For Rent

WEEKLY RENTALS GULF FRONT/ GULF VIEW

“Take our video tour at” www.casadelmar.net

AUCTION

ALL FLORIDA REALTY & AUCTION CO.

CASA DEL MAR BEACH RESORT

Reservations: 941-383-5549 Visa/ MC Fax: 941-383-7925

CONDO & BOAT SLIP RENTALS HARBOUR VILLA CLUB 615 Dream Island Rd. Longboat Key, FL 34228 941-383-9544 Fax: 941-383-8028 www.harbourvillaclub.com

Exceptional Vacation Rentals Since 1994 Homes & Condominiums Studios to Six Bedrooms Beachfront, Intercoastal or Garden Excellent Service & Staff Now Offering Beach Castle Resort Nightly and Weekly

FLORIDA VACATION CONNECTION www.FLvacationconnection.com 941-387-9709 877-705-2460

CALL CYNTHIA 407-492-5749

We make it easy for you to place your classified ad Reserved Space

This week’s crossword answers

Online 24/7

THE OBSERVER LP # 56733

LP Reserved Space

www.yourobserver.com or call 941.955.4888

LV1256

MIXER: SUNBEAM Mixmaster, 12 speed.

Like new. $75. 923-7092.

WATERFORD CRYSTAL: Tramore pattern. 8 water glasses & 8 wine glasses. $50/ea. glass. 941-758-5497.

Vacation/Seasonal Rentals

Your source for local Classifieds

22A

longboat Observer

THE LONGBOAT OBSERVER YourObserver.com Thursday, June 16, 2011

www.yourobserver.com

Classifieds 25A

THURSDAY, june 16, 2011

Vacation/Seasonal Rentals

Vacation/Seasonal Rentals

Adult Care Services

Home Improvement/ Remodeling

FAIRWAY BAY, 2BR/2BA, furnished condo overlooking Sarasota Bay. Gated community, access to private beach club, pool & tennis on premises. Rent by the season or monthly, 2 month minimum. 412-370-8787 502-456-4361.

LIDO BEACH Vacation paradise. 1 & 2 bedroom condos overlooking beautiful Lido Beach. Weekly rates. Lido Dorset.

Rental condo. 1-800-734-3370.

CAREGIVING BY TINA HOURLY OR 24/7 CARE Assistance with Personal Care/ Shopping/ Transportation/ etc. Excellent references, Insured and Bonded. Call 941-586-7278

TILE TILE TILE

LBK BEACHPLACE Condo. Beachfront, 2BR/2BA. Elegantly furnished, heated pool, tennis court, covered parking, exercise room. Available June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct. & Dec. 2011. Also, same condos available for 2012. Non-smoking/ pets.

By owner. 941-383-1884.

LBK: 1BR condo, Gulf side with Island view.

Minimum required stay of 7 nights.

941-383-1083.

LBK: 2BR condo with breathtaking Gulf view. Minimum required stay of 7 nights.

941-383-1083.

LBK: SEAPLACE, 2BR/2.5BA TH, nicely furnished, lanai+ terraces, full kitchen, living, dining area, beach club access (sauna, gym, tennis, w/pool), walk out to the beach, breathtaking sunsets. Rental: Jan-April $3800 +tax/mo. May-Dec. $2000 +tax) 1 mo. min. mandalka@gmx.de LBK: TANGERINE BAY CLUB. Luxurious decorator furnished Penthouse, 4BR/4.5BA. Full garden/ pool/ Bay views. Granite kitchen, 2 private terraces, outdoor gas grill, 2 car garage, FIOS, Beach Club access/ 3 month minimum. Non-smoking. No pets.

E-mail or call for availability, rates, photos. d.turners@verizon.net, 202-363-0740.

LBK: TIFFANY Plaza Beachfront Condos, 1st floor, 2BR/2BA, walk out to beach.

Beautifully furnished, heated pool, covered parking. 1 mo. min. 941-383-3338.

LIDO BEACH CONDOMINIUMS Weekly - Monthly - Seasonal

Resort Properties, Inc. Licensed Real Estate Broker 941-388-3921 - 888-388-3921 941-650-1857 Visit us at: resortproperties.pro

LONGBOAT KEY. Gulf front, heated pool on beach, 1BR/1BA condo, full kitchen, dining, sleeps 4, king pillowtop. 617-328-7145.

LONGBOAT: DIRECT Beachfront condo, 2BR/2BA. Rental $3800 +tax/mo. Jan, Feb, or March. 727-501-3675.

LONGBOAT: DIRECT Beachfront Condo, 2BR/2BA. $2000+ tax/mo. April-December.

727-501-3675.

ON THE Gulf w/pool. 1BR condo, sleeps 4.

Nicely furnished, cable, phone, full kitchen, living, dining area, W/D in building. Weekly or Monthly. May through January. $1600/mo.

351-5101.

UPSCALE CONDO wanted. We are looking for an upscale condo, 2 bedrooms facing the gulf, preferably South of Publix. February and March required, January may also be possible. E-mail: posnansky@hotmail.co.uk WEEKLY RENTALS. Luxurious, fully furnished 1 - 4 bedrooms. Condominiums and Cottages. Beach to Bay. On-site management. Pools, tennis, boat slips. Visit: www.FloridaRent.com for information and virtual tours. 800-333-7335, 941-383-3117.

Weekly/ Monthly/ Seasonal Rates Beachfront, Bayfront and In Between Houses or Condos Reservations 941-383-6127 Visa/ MC 800-352-0367

PRIVATE DUTY HOME CARE Licensed Practical Nurse, Insured, experienced, for full or part time. Your cherished one deserves extra special attention and compassion. Geriatric, respite care, cleaning, meals, errands, caregiver relief.

Call 941-928-4611 or email: PrivateDutyHome@aol.com

Cleaning 5 STAR Cleaning Services: Meeting residential clients’ home cleaning needs on the Keys, Sarasota and Bradenton area for over 25 years. Friendly, Reliable, Bonded and Insured. Free Estimates. Call Laura now at 941-302-3992.

BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service by Maria.

Residential/ Commercial.

Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References. Free Estimates. Reliable. Lic./ Ins. 941-400-3342 HIGH-END HOUSEKEEPER/ Personal Assistant. Thorough and meticulous.

11 years experience long-term. Excellent references. Call 941-266-5595.

RESIDENTIAL/ COMMERCIAL/ Resorts/ House Checks. We take pleasure in pleasing our customers. When quality counts!

941-756-4570.

FIND IT!

Reserved Space LP Reserved Space

5360 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Suite 101 Longboat Key, FL 34228 Rental office 9a.m. - 5p.m. M-F

in The

Ask about our special rates!

Wagner Realty Since 1939 www.wagnerrentals.com

Call Ashdown Flooring, Inc. LICENSED (941) 726-3077 INSURED

Painting/Wallpapering 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.

Personal Services YOUR PERSONAL BOOKKEEPER, LLC Gail Sunray, Owner Personal & Business Bookkeeping Accounting/ Taxes I come to your home or office.

 Bill Paying & Account Reconciliation  Organizing Personal and Business Files  Budgets & Financial Reports  Federal and State Tax Returns BONDED & INSURED Over 25 yrs. experience Telephone: 941-749-5646 yourbookkeeper@tampabay.rr.com

Pressure Cleaning RESIDENTIAL/ COMMERCIAL. Roofs, Pool Areas, Driveways, Lanais, etc. When Quality Counts! 941-565-3935.

Professional Services ***PERSONAL ASSISTANT***

Computer Services

Home Improvement/ Remodeling

Tile STEVE ALLEN FLOOR COVERINGS PROFESSIONAL TILE & MARBLE INSTALLATION 20 YRS. EXPERIENCE

ISLE TILE

CALL FOR FREE ESTIMATE 726-1802 LIC/ INS

FOR “QUALITY AND EXPERIENCE”

Woodworking

Floors, bathrooms, showers, backsplashes, patio and pool decks.

CABINETRY WOOD custom/manufactured for kitchens, baths and office, crown molding and trim work. 941-238- 8033.

20 years design background.

Licensed - Insured - LBK Resident References upon request.

941-383-2659

4 EAsy WAys To Place your Classified Ad

JOHN GUBERNAT HANDYMAN SERVICES ALL HOME REPAIRS

You never know what you’ll find in the classifieds!

Grout Cleaning & Sealing Service Available

Organizing, bookkeeping, appointments, shopping, etc. Experienced with references.

Call and leave a message 941-321-9615

OWN A MAC? MacTutor offers 21 years experience. Unlimited free telephone follow up. (941)812-3887 www.FLMacTutor.com

Want to find a great deal on something you’ve always dreamed of?

Expert Marble & Travertine Installation Floor & Walls

Observer Classifieds Cmagik - lbk.cmagik.com, LBK resident.

Over 20 years experience PC or MAC. Computer service, setup, tutoring or web design. TV/ computer/ stereo integration.

Digital camera, iPod/ iPhone help. Call Cort, 383-3878, 587-5588.

Find Treasure!

Reserved Space LP Reserved Space

EXPERIENCED, DEPENDABLE, caring caregiver. Licensed CNA/HHA available to take care of your loved one. Excellent references. 941-448-4713.

All Variations of Ceramic Tile Supplied & Installed.

Free Estimates & Custom Designs.

Carpentry, Painting, Property Caretaking, Roof Leaks/ Coatings, Power washing, Dock Repairs.

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THE LONGBOAT OBSERVER Thursday, June16, 16,2011 2011 THURSDAY, june

longboat Observer

The Observer Service Directory Ob¡serv¡er serv¡ice di¡rec¡to¡ry {Ăśb-zĂťrâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ver} {sur-vis} {di-rek-tuh-ree} â&#x20AC;&#x201C;noun 1. An affordable solution to market your business to a targeted audience.

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LV1408

CHUBB, AIG, UNIVERSAL, UNITED, TRAVELLERS, SAFECO, PROGRESSIVE, CITIZENS, FLOOD. WE HAVE YOU COVERED!

24A

longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011

Roger sells Grand Bay.

grandbay446.com | Located in the highly coveted Building 4 on the southern side means no buildings will ever block your view. This residence is beautifully furnished and overlooks the marina, the golf course and downtown Sarasota. Two parking spaces, bright and sunny with sunset views. $1,495,000

grandbay211.com | Expansive panoramic bay views from this Antigua floor plan in Building 2 at Grand Bay. This residence offers third floor level views; it is on the first living level which means extra terrace space. This offering is the best value in Grand Bay. $999,000

l’AmBIANCE

PlAyERS CluB playersclub502C.com | Penthouse living in The Players Club with sunset Gulf views overlooking the expansive gardens and pool. This residence is a true 3BR/3BA. Many upgrades have been completed, including the kitchen and baths and custom flooring throughout.

Beautiful furnishings included. $999,000

COuNTRy CluB SHORES

SEAPlACE

415lambiancedr302.com | This is by far your best value at L'Ambiance. In a building where the average price this season is over $2 million, you can live in this 3BR/3BA (currently being used as a two bedroom plus den) residence with southern 3rd floor Gulf views. Lovely finishes throughout. $1,199,000

SOuTH SIESTA KEy

▲ 1015bogeylane.com | You will be enthralled by the beautiful views looking down the waterway and out to the bay from this 4,200 sf, custom-designed John Cannon home. Exquisite designer finishes include custom flooring, inlaid wood ceilings, and window treatments.

Full 4BR and an office. $1,699,000 552rangerlane.com | Terrific opportunity to renovate this 3BR canal front home on deep water. Located in the mid-canal position which means a quick walk to the beach or a short boat ride to the Gulf. $599,000

▲ seaplaceg7209.com | Enjoy Gulf views from this 2BR at Seaplace, the best valued beachfront community on Longboat Key. Lovingly updated, furnished and ready to enjoy. $339,000 seaplaceg3213.com | 1BR/2BA townhouse. Furnished. Charming Seaplace townhouse residence with vaulted ceilings, full bedroom and two baths. This residence enjoys the beach and full amenities at Seaplace. Terrific rental history which can be assumed by new owner. $235,000

HARBOR SECTION 9250blindpassroad.com | This is a one-of-a-kind contemporary residence located directly on the beach on the south end of Siesta Key's Turtle Beach.

Custom built with 3BR, den, private elevator and house level swimming pool.

Incredible views and privacy. $2,495,000 561harborcovecircle.com | This is a brand new listing in Bay Isles, behind the extra set of private security gates.

Located on one of the view full-bay view point lots with over 185' of water frontage and multiple locations for large boats. Custom floor plan offers the best of open living. $2,195,000

Want to sell your home?

Call Roger.

This was a busy season for Sarasota real estate, and Roger has sold much of his inventory. If you are considering selling your property, or if you would like to know its value in today's market, please contact Roger. He also knows of many unlisted properties for sale. Ask about his private inventory.

TOwElS COuRT 1857morrillstreet.com | A rare opportunity in downtown Sarasota to have a residence and a studio or commercial venture. 2BR/2BA plus garage; next door is a full studio with bath and kitchen. Ample parking.

Within walking distance of everything Sarasota has to offer. $499,000

Roger sells Water

Club.

waterclub804.com | High floor Brighton plan in Building 2 of the which offers incredible views looking north up the beach, sunsets and even bay views. This is a true 3BR/3BA plan. Special features include bamboo flooring and 10' ceilings. $1,395,000

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Diversions YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011

THE CASTAWAY by Loren Mayo | Community Editor

Betsy Bowers and Sharon Petrik

Black Tie THE SOCIAL OBSERVER

COVER: A Midsummer Night’s Wish / 7

EDIBLES:

Carmen Baskind: “The Hungry Realtor” / 5

Loren Mayo

Jorge Blanco created this sculpture, “The Runners,” in 2001. It is installed on Tamiami Trail across from Art Center Sarasota. “One of my inspirations is the exercise, sport,” Jorge Blanco said. “Much of my work is about tennis, soccer, swimming and marathon. For me, the sport is a very interesting mass phenomenon.”

Escape artist

You probably know Jorge Blanco for his smiling yellow sculptures along Tamiami Trail. But back in his hometown of Caracas, Venezuela, Blanco is famous for his poetic caricature, ‘The Castaway.’

I

n his untucked, white button-down, khakis and stark-white goatee, Jorge Blanco looks like he walked off the set of a Sean Connery movie. The blackest of black sunglass-

es shield his eyes as he leans against his car with his arms folded across his chest, looking like the ultimate villian.

Blanco heads into Art Center Sarasota clutch-

ing a manila envelope — inside, there’s a sheet of paper with the image of a small island, palm tree, sun and a funny-looking little man who resembles the shape of a cactus.

BLANCO CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

BACKSTAGE PASS:

Gulf Coast Ballet’s “A Divine Divertissement” / PAGE 4

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COVER STORY

BLANCO from 1

Public art

“Everybody maybe has this feeling,” Blanco says, “When you are in traffic or working, have a problem with family, or worried about society, politics or the planet. You would like to go to a little place alone with no possessions and say goodbye to everybody — the beautiful place beside the sea.

This is the phiLOCAL losophy of my INSPIRATIONS character.”

Jorge Blanco’s sculptures In the 1970s, can be seen around Blanco was Sarasota, Longboat Key studying art in and Venice.

Italy. He found cartoons to be 1. “SMILE” / 2000 / 12 an important feet tall / Indigo Hotel / form of comTamiami Trail / Sarasota. munication 2. “THE RUNNERS” / and made his 2001 / 8 feet tall / Tamiami living by makTrial and Boulevard of The ing political Arts / Sarasota. cartoons for 3. “CARTWHEEL” / 2002 various publi/ 6 feet tall / Gulf Gate elecations. When mentary School / Sarasota. he returned in 1979 to Ven4. “PHOENIX” / 2002 / ezuela, he re15 feet tall / Anderson ceived an ofAdministration Center, fer to illustrate Venice. a newspaper 5. “TO BE RED” / 2004 / 7 for children in feet tall / Center for the Arts Caracas, but / Longboat Key. had already developed an idea for his own comic strip and pursued that instead.

In 1980, he created “The Castaway,” which became an overnight success. He submitted it to several newspapers and magazines, where it was printed for 20 years. It appeared on television and was also published in eight books.

“The Castaway’ is a little man who is very skinny because he doesn’t have a lot of food, and naked because clothes aren’t necessary,”

This black-and-white illustration of “The Castaway” was published in El Diario de Caracas in 1980 and ran in several newspapers for 20 years, without interruption. The character now has his own Facebook page with 1,300 fans. “The Castaway” will now be featured each week in the Longboat, East County and Sarasota Observers.

Blanco says. “There’s no Target, no T.J. Maxx, no dress store. And he is happy on this beautiful island, but the island is a fantasy. He has companions: the pelican, the fishes.”

How the character arrived on the island is a mystery — not even Blanco knows. There was no shipwreck, no crashed plane. In the first cartoon, the character appears alone, dreaming on the island. Blanco explains that because there are no words, everyone can understand the story. The idea is to transmit simplicity and minimalism to the reader. It reflects the desire for escape and evading reality.

Blanco moved in 1999 to the United States, and in 2005, became an American citizen.

He dedicated himself to sculpture and for the past 11 years, developed public art that graces the area with color and geometric form. But now, Blanco is bringing back the skinny little man and his dreams.

“I love ‘The Castaway,’ and sometimes I miss him,” he says. “He is my friend, and I would like to see him again. In my home, he is not alive; he is sleeping. He needs the people, a lot of people, because he is a dream.”

Blanco need not miss his skinny little “friend” any longer. Beginning with this week’s editions, “The Castaway” will be printed each week in the Longboat Observer, the East County Observer and the Sarasota Observer.

It was French abstract painter Auguste Herbin’s geometric shapes and colors that first inspired Jorge Blanco to pursue art.

His studies took him to the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, Italy, where his work in sculpture was characterized by dark and intense realism that portrayed repression, torture and oppression. He showed his first sculpture in 1974 in Caracas.

In the early 1990s, his attitude changed. His sculptures began to represent light, humor and color. They portrayed the world’s beauty, the love he felt for his family and happiness.

Since 1999, Blanco has lived and worked on the west coast of Florida. He was highlighted by Florida International magazine as a creative individual who helps make Florida a destination, with 13 sculptures installed in nine cities across the United States and most recently, in Uruguay.

One of the main forces behind his work is creating public art. In 2005, Florida International magazine named Blanco as one of Florida’s Top 100 Power Players. Blanco says he is convinced that it serves a double purpose — introducing everyone to art, while also contributing to the advancement of communities.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011

Diversions

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COLUMN

art scene HEARD

HOT TICKETS

Movieville International Film Festival: If you’ve ever

wanted to meet the people behind “Mad Men,” “CSI: Miami,” “Burn Notice,” “Las Vegas” and “The Glades,” don’t miss your chance this weekend at the Movieville International Film Festival, which runs June 17 through June 19, at the Sarasota Film Society’s Lakewood Ranch Theater.

Created to celebrate and showcase the works of new and emerging filmmakers, the first festival

by Loren Mayo | Community Editor

+ Launch party chalks the lines for street fest

includes an exciting line-up of film screenings, workshops and events.

The festival will premiere two opening-night films — the winning 48 Hour Guerrilla Film Competition short, “Paradise Lost,” and “God’s Ears,” June 17, before they hit the big screen. A hopping after-party with the opportunity to mingle with industry professionals from all over the country will follow in the courtyard.

Spend June 18 and June 19 checking out full-length movies,

short features, documentaries and animated films, plus an interactive SFX Make-Up Show with special guest J. LaRose of “Saw III.” The weekend wraps up at 6 p.m.

June 19, with the Hollywood Courtesy photo Lounge Party at J. LaRose the Polo Grill.

Purchase tickets online at www.filmsociety.org, or visit the Lakewood Ranch Cinema’s box office.

+ Booker Middle principal wins state arts leadership award The Florida Alliance for Arts Education recently recognized five outstanding Florida educators as winners of its 2011 Leadership Awards, to be presented at the Leadership Summit June 16 through June 18, in Orlando.

Booker Middle School Principal Joe Bazenas won FAAE’s 2011 School Administrator award for his ability to generate consistant and deep support through ongoing

File photo

Jennifer Nichols Chaparro’s chalk portrait of the Wicked Witch of the West from “The Wizard of Oz” at last year’s festival.

Michael Kirby. Kirby is known for his technique of using sharp angles and adjusting the image to the viewer’s point of view. The set will focus on the floor paintings with stadium-style seating.

partnerships with Sarasota community organizations.

“Joe is completely engaged in bringing the most rigorous and authentic learning experiences to every student at Booker Middle,” said FAAE Executive Director Susan Burke. “He energizes everyone around him and makes sure that learning and teaching are fun and creative. He has truly made Booker Middle School the

heart of the ‘Booker Nation’ with strong arts programs and strong academic achievement.”

This year’s speakers include author and educator Eric Booth and Frank Brogan, chancellor of the state university system of Florida. Attendees will participate in workshops on topics including technology, arts integration, advocacy, and building communityschool partnerships.

+ Jazz juvies to liven up Glenridge

The sensational sextet, “Jazz Juvenocracy,” is back to rock the Glenridge Performing Arts Center 7:30 p.m. June 18, for a one-night-only show.

These local jazz teenage sensations are a well traveled bunch who have been invited to play at some of the most prestigious jazz festivals in the world — including The Jazz a Vienne Festival, in France, The Umbria Jazz Festival, in Italy, and The Montreaux Jazz Festival, in Switzerland.

Special guests “Jazz Geriocracy,” an all-star combo of the juvies’ mentors, including Greg Nielsen, Jim Earp, Rick Peterson, Chuck Parr and Duke Ellington’s former bass player John Lamb, will impart their

Courtesy photo

knowledge of the jazz idiom in a master-class format.

Tickets cost $20; proceeds aid in the group’s travel expenses. Visit www.gpactix.com or call 552-5325 for information.

Circus Sarasota & The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art presents

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The Sarasota Chalk Festival committee has some large-scale plans for how to use South Pineapple Avenue as its canvas Nov. 1 through Nov. 7, when it features more than 250 artists from around the world. The 2011 theme, “Pavement Art through the Ages,” was announced Thursday, June 2, at Northern Trust.

Renowned artist Leon Keer will recreate Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch.” This six-day performance will be completed in the original’s actual size — 11 feet, 10 inches by 14 feet, 4 inches.

Keer also holds a Guinness World Record for the largest 3-D street painting in the world. The performance will be telecast live at the Rijksmuseum, where the original painting is housed.

The event will also honor the Grazie di Curtatone Madonnari Competition, held every year in Mantova, Italy, to preserve the cultural tradition of street painting. Last year, Sarasota welcomed five Italian artists to the festival — this year’s goal is 20.

As part of its fall production of Giacomo Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” the Sarasota Opera will present excerpts on an outdoor stage with sets created in chalk

by Baltimore designer and artist

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Observe

BACKSTAGE PASS

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THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011

by Loren Mayo | Community Editor

what you are missing...

Now more than

140,000

Photos by Loren Mayo

Larissa Carroll and Fuzion Dance Artist Jahrel Thompson rehearse for the Gulf Coast Ballet’s upcoming show, “A Divine Divertissement.”

Final fling

WEEklY REAdERs!

June 19 marks Larissa Carroll’s closing performance with the Gulf Coast Ballet.

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When Larissa Carroll makes trips to the grocery store with her mother, she absentmindedly dances through the aisles, marking choreography to the music inside her head.

“My mom will say, ‘Stop dancing around,’” Carroll says. “I don’t even realize I’m doing it.”

Taking a breather from rehearsing for the Gulf Coast Ballet’s upcoming show, “A Divine Divertissement,” Carroll is seated in the studio’s lobby. Her flesh-colored tights are pulled over a halter-top leotard the color of cabernet. Her posture is impeccable.

Carroll comes to the studio six days per week and spends nearly 35 hours dancing.

Because she had enough credits and hours to dual-enroll at Sarasota High School and the State College of Florida, she was able to choose her own schedule — two classes a day, Monday through Thursday.

“Dance is how I express myself,” Carroll says. “It’s who I am. I’ve done it almost all of my life, and I couldn’t picture myself without it.”

A member of the honor society and a recent SHS grad, Carroll was accepted to and awarded scholarships to the University of Utah and Jacksonville University’s dance programs.

She has attended the Boston Ballet for the past three summers, and during her junior year of high school, was offered a position with the Princeton Ballet. Because she wasn’t a senior, she could not accept.

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YourObserver.com

The Gulf Coast Ballet will perform five pieces in its upcoming performance, “A Divine Divertissement.”

‘Othello’

‘Sylvia’

“It’s standard choreography and a classical piece. I do a variation by myself and a pas de deux with Danny, and I come out and do a coda.”

Neoclassical piece 51211

51211

“I’ve decided to stay local and go to USF next year,” Carroll says. “I’m double-majoring in dance and elementary education and would love to dance professionally, then join a studio or start a studio and give what I love back to others.”

The memories and experience Carroll has garnered from dancing are rooted in her mind. She can remember the buzz and excitement at age 14, when she purchased her first pair of pointe shoes, along with the day she received her first blister.

The following year, Carroll knew her heart was invested in the art form and that she wanted to spend the rest of her life immersing herself in it.

“I’ve had broken toenails numerous times,” Carroll says. “Dance is probably one of the most harmful things on your body.

I mean, were you really meant to go stand on your toes? But if you love it, and you’re so dedicated, and you have people like Denise (Lose, director of the Gulf Coast Ballet) to help you through, then it makes sense.”

(Lose) said there’s movement that reflects things that have happened in her life and are incorporated in the piece. It’s very meaningful to her.”

‘Black Swan’

You. Your Neighbors. Your Neighborhood.

What: Gulf Coast Ballet’s “A Divine Divertissement” When: 4:30 p.m. Sunday, June 19, at Sarasota High School Cost: $20 in advance; $25 day of show Information: Visit www.gulfcoastballetsarasota.com or call 366-4606

Dances defined

“It’s a Shakespearean story like ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ which we did last year.”

YOU WANT TO REACH!

IF YOU GO

“This is to Phillip Glass’ music. Denise

“It is a warrior piece that I love. This is a piece that’s appealing to everyone.

There are some classical ballets that your average Joe wouldn’t want to sit through, but in ‘Sylvia,’ it will be fun for all of the audience.”

Contemporary piece

“Again, this is Denise’s choreography.

I am dancing with Jahrel Thompson of Fuzion Dance Artists.”

THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011

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EDIBLES: GUEST FOOD EDITOR by Molly Schechter | Food Editor

Carmen Baskind: ‘The Hungry Realtor’ Carmen Baskind and Marty Warren

RECIPE

Farfalle salad

Yield: Six to eight entrée servings, 10 to 12 as a side dish

Salad

1/2 pound farfalle (bowtie) pasta 1 cup frozen baby peas 1 cup frozen baby corn 1 cup matchstick carrots 3/4 cup red onion, finely diced, soaked in cold water 15 minutes and drained 1 cup celery in 1/2-inch pieces 3/4 cup cucumber, seeded and diced

1 cup grape tomatoes, halved 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped 6 ounces crumbled garlic feta 1/2 cup kalamata olives diced

Dressing

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup lemon juice Salt and pepper Photos by Molly Schechter

Method

While onion is soaking, cook pasta.

Place frozen peas and corn in a strainer.

Place carrots in a large strainer you will use to drain the pasta.

Place the pasta strainer over the one containing the peas and corn. Drain the pasta

over the carrots so that the liquid “cooks” the veggies in both strainers.

Put peas, corn, carrots and bowties into a large bowl and add all the other ingredients. Toss with dressing and season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with additional fresh mint, if desired.

It would not be unfair to say that Carmen Baskind cut her teeth on pasta.

She grew up the oldest of six children in Pittsburgh. Her family’s roots were in Sicily, Italy, and Calabria, Italy. The likes of braciole and fried bread with smelt were everyday occurrences. Everyone in the neighborhood had a huge vegetable garden, and Baskind’s great-grandfather tended his right up to his death — at age 98. No wonder, then, that when she was 12 and her contemporaries came home from school and watched the soaps, Carmen turned her TV to PBS and watched Julia Child.

“I have always loved cooking,” Baskind says.

She has Gourmet magazine dating back to the 1960s and many other titles as well. Why does she give them space when she could find the recipes so easily on the Internet? For the experience of leafing through the venerable pages and experiencing the images and the author’s personality, as well as the ingredients and the methods. It’s an important distinction.

Baskind has cookbooks, too — three by her favorite Julia Child and a “worn out” Redbook cookbook.

“I love the spills and splatters on a cookbook,” Baskind says. “It means that I like a recipe and made it more than once.”

Baskind and her late husband moved in 1983 to Siesta Key. They were in the interior design business with Wallpaper Warehouse and Step Up Flooring from about 1985 to 1996. Her bright pink house is surrounded by lush, tropical plantings.

Since 1998, Baskind has been a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Previews. Her teammate is Marty Warren. Warren and her husband owned white-tablecloth restaurants in Maine before moving to Florida, and she is also an enthusiastic “foodie.” So, it makes sense that food is part of the Baskind/Warren partnership. “When we get together to work, it is always with some wine and delicious munchies,” Warren says.

And Baskin puts her dual passions into play by billing herself as “The Hungry Realtor.”

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THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011

REVIEWS

Music

Film

>> Overview

>> ‘Midnight

of the Sarasota Music Festival

It’s not easy. Putting together a music festival must be one of the hardest jobs there is, because you’re not only trying to please an audience, you’re also trying to teach students. Sarasota has been in the fortunate position to have a chamber music festival for 47 seasons and, for most of that time, it’s flourished. But it’s been a struggle over the last few years because tastes and values are changing.

Innovations in opera houses and concert halls have repositioned the emphasis on multi-media, novel presentations. At its worst, the packages have gotten in the way of the music. At its best, the packaging has kept the integrity of the performances while adding new, creative dimensions to the productions.

In a “teaching festival”— and there are many in this country, from Tanglewood, in Lenox, Mass., to Aspen, Colo., to Santa Fe, N.M., and Sarasota — the students must come first. In some cases these kids are having the extraordinary experience of playing works you and I have come to think of as “war horses.” Even nonperformers can remember the first time they encountered the Mendelssohn octet and the Schubert “Trout.” So, imagine the joy and excitement a 17-year-old filled with potential feels when he sits, for the first time, surrounded by like-minded colleagues making that music.

But to bring this excitement and freshness of spirit to an audience is a subjective juggling act. So, my purpose here is not to second guess the directors of the festival but, rather, to ask some questions.

Who should be performing? When the students technically outshine much of the faculty, isn’t it time for some of the veterans to mentor and teach rather than play?

The Sarasota Music Festival is, for the most part, a chamber festival. Chamber music is an intimate art. So, why are the performers placed so far upstage that the great chasm of the Opera House apron puts a gulf between us and them?

Why are the house lights so low the audience can’t read their programs? I’m not one for perusing program notes during a performance, but I’d like to be able to glance down, occasionally, to remind myself who’s doing what. Sitting in a black hole with the musicians far, far away in a

in Paris’

Courtesy photo

Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams star in Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris.”

Courtesy photo

Nan-Cheng Chen spotlight is not my idea of intimacy.

Then, there’s the audience. On one occasion this season, I was appalled to see multiple blue rectangles of light appearing during the performance. People were texting during the “Trout” (I had the temerity to approach one couple and ask what they’d been doing. The woman, a self-described classical flutist, said she was texting her husband — the man sitting next to her. “Was it about the music?” I asked. “No,” she said. “I thought he might want to find a more comfortable seat ... ”)! And then there was the woman who came decked out in what surely were tambourines on her wrists. She jangled through Schubert until a long-legged and lithe student, sitting a few rows in front of her, actually clambered over several seats and stopped the annoying incidental music with a glare.

There are some things we can control and others that are beyond us. I have more questions than I have answers. I do know, however, this is a festival worth saving. The music is great. The students are fantastic.

It’s time to step back and take a fresh look at the presentation and the presenters.

—June LeBell

One need not have majored in literature to love Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris,” but it couldn’t hurt. Once again he demonstrates a genius for intellectually tickling the funny bone as no other director can.

A savvy and surprising move to cast Owen Wilson in the lead is a huge part of the film’s unwavering appeal. His character, Gil, has found success as a Hollywood screenwriter but dreams of writing a great novel. While vacationing in Paris with his fiancée, Inez (Rachel McAdams), and her parents, Gil falls in love with the city and its history of inspiring great artists. He has a passion to live and work there while the shallow and condescending Inez adamantly refuses to do so.

One night, as Gil wanders the streets alone, a vintage limousine pulls up and whisks him off to a glamorous party. He soon finds he’s been transported back in time to the Jazz Age and is surrounded by legendary guests. They include F. Scott Fitzgerald, Zelda, Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, Cole Porter, Gertrude Stein and Luis Bunuel, just to name a few. Gil is especially smitten by Picasso’s lover, Adriana (Marion Cotillard), and returns each night thereafter.

“Midnight in Paris” is totally signature

Woody Allen. There’s the surrogate Woody (Wilson), gobs of glib repartee, ruminations on the human condition and, of course, the carnal cravings. Often his shooting locales become characters in themselves. The City of Light has never looked so brilliant as Allen pays homage to Paris through his lens.

Casting has always been a coup for Allen, and he exceeds all expectations in this titillating time traveler. Kathy Bates’ portrayal of Gertrude Stein is spot on — just as you’d imagine her. And it was refreshingly nice to see Oscar-winner Adrien Brody in something other than a beer commercial. His short but hilarious moments as Salvador Dali are unforgettable. I could go on: Michael Sheen, Carla Bruni ...

The king of clever always leaves his audience with the debatable dilemma.

In “Midnight in Paris,” it’s all about illusions. Is the present always dull when compared to the past? Allen’s answer is that the present is unsatisfying because life is. Personally, I don’t believe Allen fully subscribes to that particular notion.

After all, how could he create a work of art the caliber of “Midnight in Paris?” It celebrates life, c’est magnifique!

— Pam Nadon

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CAMERA READY

‘A Midsummer Night’s Wish’ Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Northern Florida, Sarasota region | Saturday, June 11 | Hyatt Siesta Key Beach

Photos by Stephanie Hannum

Co-Chairwoman Susan Jones, Michelle Butler, Sally Schule, Phil Mancini and Heather Klauber Barbara Kelly, Elle McComb and Margaret Wise

spirit Katherine and Detlef Zimmermann

Michael and Terri Klauber with Matt and Megan Otto

Beth Knopik and Jaime Wallace

Betsy Bowers and Co-Chairwoman Sharon Petrik

The Observer Group’s Annual 4th of July Special Section

“Spirit of AmericA”

Publishes June 30 in the Longboat Observer, East County Observer & Sarasota Observer Deadline to reserve advertising space is Wed., June 22nd.

Contact your Observer advertising rep today! 941-366-3468

Candid local shots of what makes America unique Also included: the annual calendar of Fourth of July community events

Enter the “Spirit of America” Online Photo Contest on YourObserver.com

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Submit your photos until June 20 that represent what makes America unique.

Then vote for your favorite photo from June 21 to 26 to be featured in the special section on June 30!

8 ■ Diversions

YourObserver.com

Highest Overall Satisfaction for Home Sellers Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms

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THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011

A Wealth of Experience.

A Commitment to This Community.

No One Knows Sarasota Better.

$3,975,000 Harbor Acres 6BR/6.5BA 4920SF, bay views & southern exp. Sold As-Is. A3941234 Marty Benson 232-9264

Prudential is your top choice when you are ready to buy or sell a home in Sarasota.

Our award-winning local Realtors have the experience and expertise to guide you, and they consistently deliver premier service that caters to every client’s unique needs.

Locally owned and nationally supported, Prudential is proud to contribute to the natural beauty, cultural events and extraordinary people that make this community a great place to live. Call us today and let us match you with the house that perfectly suits your definition of home.

$834,200 Longboat Key Moorings Largest slip at full service marina & 24 hour security.

A3941060 Marty Benson 232-92643

Personalized Service. Trusted Agents.

$3,000,000 Country Club Shores 4BR/4.5BA w/ views of Sarasota Bay and downtown. Outdoor kitc.

A3905758 Teri Sax 228-5578

941-926-7000 www.PrudentialPalmsRealty.com

$829,000 Grand Bay Bay & Golf Course views. 3BR/3.5BA Condo. Pet friendly.

A3937063 David & Lori Simon 400-8764/586-6986

LAKEWOOD RANCH HOUSING SHOWCASE!!

$599,000 Mainland Bayfront Best waterfront Value near downtown! Remodeled home & pool – Fantastic location – Bayfront Parcel & Dock included!

A3935420 Linda A Page 504-0123

Sunday, May 1st, from 1-4 pm

$425,000 Privateer North Beachfront 2BR/2BA condominium with resort-style amenities and gated.

A Perfect Day to Get Moving!

A3942392 Pat Tan/Carla Rayman 504-9232/724-0519

$2,200,000 Longboat Key 1 Acre directly on Gulf with 100 Feet of beach front.

A379491 Owner/Agent 586-4052

Short Sale $355,000 Sea Oats Direct Gulf front unit with unobstructed views.housing Short term weekly rental allowed. 8 Jumpstart your search!!!

Unit complex on Longboat Key • See 17 of the “Best Buys” in Lakewood Ranch A3938581 Carla Rayman/Pat Tan 724-0519/504-9232

$628,197 Belle Sole Maintenance free 3BR/2.5BA. West Indies British colonial style – makes this a must see!

A319241 Pam Hagan 400-6682

$1,450,000 Bay Isles Prime boater’s lot in on LBK. Over 200 Ft water front. w/deep sailboat water.

A3923466 Mark Huber 356-2435

$779,000 Bay Island Key West home. Oversized pool, deck and pine floors, on 1/2 acre.

A3938107 Pat Tan/Carla Rayman 504-9232/724-0519

• Register to win a $200 American Express $239,000 Beach Harbor Club Beach to Bay community.

Gift Certificate 2BR/2BA with many amenities including docks and private beach with BBQ, pool and more! Another unit available too.

• Talk to an onsite financial expert about A3908654 Steve Harris/Susan Mondello 780-2352 your financing needs

$325,000 Peppertree Bay Turnkey Furnished 2BR/2BA • Visit our Real Estate Information Center condo with new carpet & wood floors. Partial Gulf & Bay at 8141 Main Street, Lakewood Ranch View.

Wonderful Location on Siesta Key A3942926 Greg Hudson 302-1485 ~ Enjoy refreshments $699,500 Beaches Of Longboat Key Large furnished ~ Get real estate market information and a list of 2BR/2BA in fabulous complex. Beautiful views of the bay, bank-owned and distressed properties golf course, city and even a bit of the gulf.

• Trying to decide between building or buying A3939329 Mark Huber 356-2435

$750,000 Longboat Key Views of Gulf & Bay! Adjacent to Bird Sanctuary. Deeded beach access.

A3942923 Valentina & Lee Pippin 961-3044/961-3043

an existing home? $389,000 Northwest Acres Exquisite 4BR/3BA estate totally fenced; 3000+ SF; pond stocked; oversized pool. ~ Attend a short seminar presented by Gibraltar Homes A3929295 Teri Sax 228-5578 • Learn the pros and cons of both

Reduced! $514,900 Condo On The Bay Spectacular views of themore Bay from every room. remodeled 2BR/2BA For information andTotally directions: corner unit. Bamboo floors, tile & tastefully furnished. visit www.PruLWR.com call 941-907-2000 A3906022 Marty or Benson 232-9264 $950,000 Tangerine Bay $499,900 Tidy Island 4BR/4.5BA, Cathedral ceilings, turnkey furn.; 2CG; beautiful views.

Bay Front! Updated 3BR/2.5BA w/2764 SF; fireplace, elevator, gated, pool, spa, fitness.

A3928032 Michael Granston 504-8018 A3937160 Michelle Musto 809-3714

$749,500 Promenade Panorama of downtown Sarasota, Gulf, bay and all of south Longboat to Siesta Key. A3938502 Mark Huber 356-2435

941-926-7000 ~ Over 5,000 listings on our website: PrudentialPalmsRealty.com Prudential Lakewood Ranch Realty and Prudential Palms Realty are sister companies serving Manatee and Sarasota Counties. © 2011. An independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. Prudential, the Prudential logo and the Rock symbol are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. Used under license.

Equal Housing Opportunity

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Offices to conveniently serve you including: Downtown Sarasota Lakewood Ranch ~ Longboat Key ~ Siesta Key ~ St. Armands Circle ~ Osprey